MARTIN MARIETTA MATERIALS, INC.

2710 Wycliff Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607

 

Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

To Be Held May 22, 2007

 

To our Shareholders:

 

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. will be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. at the Corporation’s principal office, 2710 Wycliff Road, Raleigh, North Carolina. At the meeting, the holders of the Corporation’s outstanding common stock will act on the following matters:

 

 

All holders of record of shares of Martin Marietta Materials common stock (NYSE: MLM) at the close of business on March 16, 2007 are entitled to vote at the annual meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

 

Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, we hope you will date and sign the enclosed proxy card and mail it promptly in the enclosed stamped envelope.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

Roselyn R. Bar
Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary

 

Raleigh, North Carolina

April 18, 2007

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

 

This proxy statement contains information related to the annual meeting of shareholders of Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., a North Carolina corporation, to be held on Tuesday, May 22, 2007, at 11:30 a.m. at the Corporation’s principal office, 2710 Wycliff Road, Raleigh, North Carolina. The Corporation’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, including audited financial statements, is being mailed to shareholders with this proxy statement.

 

This proxy statement, the proxy card, and the notice of meeting are being sent commencing on approximately April 20, 2007 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2007.

 

What is the purpose of the annual meeting?

 

At our annual meeting, shareholders will act on the matters outlined in the accompanying notice of annual meeting of shareholders. This statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Corporation of proxies to be used at the meeting and at any and all adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

 

Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, we encourage you to date, sign, and return your proxy in the enclosed envelope.

 

Who is entitled to vote at the meeting?

 

Only shareholders of record at the close of business on March 16, 2007 are entitled to notice of and to participate in the annual meeting. If you were a shareholder of record on that date, you will be entitled to vote all the shares that you held on that date at the meeting, or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

 

What are the voting rights of the holders of Martin Marietta’s common stock?

 

Each share of Martin Marietta Materials common stock is entitled to one vote on each matter considered at the meeting.

 

Who can attend the meeting?

 

All shareholders as of the record date, or their duly appointed proxies, beneficial owners presenting satisfactory evidence of ownership as of the record date, and invited guests of the Corporation may attend the meeting.

 

What constitutes a quorum?

 

The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the common stock outstanding on the record date constitutes a quorum, permitting shareholders to take action at the meeting. On March 16, 2007, there were 43,790,318 shares outstanding of the Corporation’s common stock, $.01 par value per share.

 

Who will oversee the voting results?

 

Votes cast by proxy or in person at the annual meeting will be tabulated by an independent inspector of election appointed by the Corporation’s Board of Directors for the annual meeting from American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Corporation’s transfer agent. The inspector of election will determine whether a quorum is present. For purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, abstentions will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote. If a broker indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary

 

authority to vote on a particular matter and specific instructions are not received from the shareholder regarding that matter, those shares represented by the proxy will not be considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter.

 

How do I vote?

 

If you complete and properly sign the accompanying proxy card and return it to the Corporation, it will be voted as you direct. If you are a registered shareholder and attend the meeting, you may deliver your completed proxy card or vote in person. Shareholders whose shares are held by brokers, banks, or other nominees who wish to vote at the meeting will need to obtain a proxy form from the institution that holds its shares.

 

Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?

 

Yes. Even after you have submitted your vote, you may revoke your proxy at any time prior to its exercise at the annual meeting (i) by filing with the Corporation’s Secretary an instrument revoking the proxy prior to the meeting, (ii) by the timely delivery to the Corporation’s Secretary, or at the meeting, of a subsequently dated and executed proxy, or (iii) if you attend the meeting, by voting your shares in person. Attendance at the meeting will not in and of itself constitute a revocation of a proxy.

 

How do I vote my 401(k) shares?

 

Each participant in the Corporation’s Performance Sharing Plan and the Savings and Investment Plan may direct the trustee as to the manner in which shares of common stock allocated to the plan participant’s account are to be voted. If the plan participant does not return a signed voting instruction card to the trustee in a timely manner or returns a card without indicating any voting instructions, the trustee will vote the shares in the same proportion as shares for which the trustee receives voting instructions for that plan.

 

How are brokers required to vote? What are “broker non-votes”?

 

Brokers holding shares for beneficial owners must vote those shares according to the specific instructions they receive from the beneficial owners. If specific instructions are not received, brokers may generally vote these shares at their discretion. However, the New York Stock Exchange rules preclude brokers from exercising their voting discretion on certain proposals. In such cases, absent specific instructions from the beneficial owner, the broker may not vote on those proposals. This results in what is known as a “broker non-vote.” The election of Directors and the ratification of the appointment of independent auditors are not such proposals, so any broker holding shares for you may vote your shares at their discretion unless you give them specific instructions on how you wish for them to vote.

 

What vote is required to approve each item?

 

The Corporation’s Bylaws generally require the affirmative vote of either a plurality or majority of the votes cast for or against a proposal at the meeting to authorize action on any matter to be considered at the annual meeting.

 

The election of Directors requires a plurality of the votes cast with a quorum present. “Withheld” votes are not counted in determining whether a plurality of votes was received by a Director nominee.

 

The ratification of the selection of independent auditors, and any other proposal presented at the meeting, will be approved if more votes are cast by proxy or in person in favor of the proposal than are cast against it. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted “for” or “against” the proposal.

 

What are the Board’s recommendations?

 

Unless you give other instructions on your proxy card, the persons named as proxy holders on the proxy card will vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The Board’s recommendation, as well as a description of each proposal, is set forth in this proxy statement. The Board recommends a vote:

 

 

With respect to any other matter that properly comes before the meeting, the proxy holders will vote as recommended by the Board of Directors or, if no recommendation is given, in their own discretion.

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

Who are the largest owners of the Corporation’s stock?

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to the shares of common stock which are held by persons known to the Corporation to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of such stock as of March 16, 2007. To the best of the Corporation’s knowledge, based in part on filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission as noted below, no person beneficially owned more than 5% of any class of the Corporation’s outstanding voting securities at the close of business on March 16, 2007, except for those shown below.

 

 

 

How much stock do the Corporation’s Directors and executive officers own?

 

The following table sets forth information as of March 16, 2007 with respect to the shares of common stock that are beneficially owned by the Directors and nominees, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief

Financial Officer, and the four other most highly compensated executive officers, individually, and by all Directors and executive officers of the Corporation as a group.

 

 

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

 

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires directors and officers of the Corporation and persons who own more than 10% of the common stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and reports in changes in ownership of the common stock. Directors, officers and more than 10% shareholders are required by Securities and Exchange Commission regulations to furnish to the Corporation copies of all Section 16(a) reports filed.

 

Based solely on its review of the copies of reports furnished to the Corporation and written representations that no other reports were required for the year ended December 31, 2006, the Corporation believes that no Director, officer, or 10% shareholder failed to timely file in 2006 any report required by Section 16(a).

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

 

The Board of Directors currently consists of nine members, eight of whom are non-employee Directors. The Board is divided into three classes with three-year terms.

 

The Board of Directors has nominated three persons for election as Directors to serve three-year terms expiring in 2010. Unless otherwise directed, proxies will be voted in favor of these nominees. Each nominee has agreed to serve if elected. Each of the nominees is currently serving as a Director. Should any nominee become unable to serve as a Director, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy will, unless otherwise directed, vote for the election of such other person for such position as the present Board of Directors may recommend in place of such nominee.

 

One vacancy currently exists on the Board. The Board, and its Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, will continue to review and evaluate potential candidates to fill such vacancy as promptly as practicable, but do not intend at this time to nominate an additional person for election at the annual meeting to fill the current vacancy. If a vacancy on the Board is filled by the Board after the 2007 annual meeting but before the 2008 annual meeting, such Director would stand for election by shareholders at the 2008 annual meeting of shareholders. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named.

 

The following sets forth the age and certain other biographical information for each of the nominees for election and for each of the other members of the Board of Directors as of the date of this proxy statement.

 

PROPOSAL 1 — ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors
For a Term Continuing Until 2010:

 

Marcus C. Bennett (71)

Director (since 1993), Chair of the Audit Committee, member of the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee.

 

Mr. Bennett served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Lockheed Martin Corporation, a defense, aeronautics, and aerospace company, from 1996 until his retirement in 1999. He continues to be a Director of Lockheed Martin Corporation, a position he has held since 1995. From 1993 to 2002, Mr. Bennett served as a Director of Carpenter Technology Corporation and chaired its Audit Committee from 1998 to 1999.

 

Laree E. Perez (53)

Director (since 2004), member of the Audit Committee and the Ethics, Environment, Safety and Health Committee.

 

Ms. Perez has served as the Managing Partner in The Medallion Company, LLC, an investment management company, since 2003 and as an independent financial consultant with that company since 2002. From 1996 to 2002, she served as Vice President of Loomis, Sayles & Company, L.P. Ms. Perez is a Director of Reliant Energy, Inc. and chairs its Audit Committee.

 

Dennis L. Rediker (63)

Director (since 2003), member of the Finance Committee and the Ethics, Environment, Safety and Health Committee.

 

Mr. Rediker has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of The Standard Register Company, a document services company, since 2000 and as a Director of that company since 1995.

 

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR”
all nominees for election to the Board of Directors.

 

Directors Whose Terms Continue Until 2008:

 

Sue W. Cole (56)

Director (since 2002), Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and member of the Management Development and Compensation Committee.

 

Ms. Cole is a principal of Granville Capital Inc., a registered investment advisor. Previously she served as Regional Chief Executive Officer of the Mid-Atlantic Region of United States Trust Company, N.A., an integrated wealth management firm, from 2003 to 2006. Prior to that, she served as Chief Executive Officer and a Director of U.S. Trust Company of North Carolina and its predecessor, North Carolina Trust Company, from 2001 to 2003 and as President from 1997 to 2003. She is a Director of Unifi, Inc. and serves on its Nominating and Governance and Compensation Committees.

 

Stephen P. Zelnak, Jr. (62)

Chairman of the Board (since 1997) and Director (since 1993), Chair of the Executive Committee.

 

Mr. Zelnak has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation since 1993. He previously served as President of the Corporation from 1993 to 2006. Mr. Zelnak is also a Director of Beazer Homes USA, Inc.

 

Directors Whose Terms Continue Until 2009:

 

David G. Maffucci (56)

Director (since 2005), Chair of the Finance Committee and member of the Audit Committee.

 

Mr. Maffucci served as Executive Vice President and President-Newsprint Division of Bowater Incorporated, a manufacturer of newsprint and other specialty paper, pulp, and solid wood products, from 2005 until 2006. Previously, from 2002 to 2005, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and from 1995 to 2002, he was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bowater Incorporated.

 

William E. McDonald (64)

Director (since 1996), Chair of the Management Development and Compensation Committee, member of the Executive Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Mr. McDonald served as Senior Vice President, Customer Service Operations, Sprint Corporation, a telecommunications company, until his retirement in 2000.

 

Frank H. Menaker, Jr. (66)

Director (since 1993), Chair of the Ethics, Environment, Safety and Health Committee, member of the Audit Committee and the Management Development and Compensation Committee.

 

Mr. Menaker is a partner in the DLA Piper international law firm, based in Washington, D.C. Mr. Menaker previously served as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Lockheed Martin Corporation, a defense, aeronautics, and aerospace company, from 1996 until 2005. He retired from Lockheed Martin in 2006.

 

Richard A. Vinroot (66)

Director (since 1996), member of the Ethics, Environment, Safety and Health Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Mr. Vinroot has been a member of the law firm of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. in Charlotte, North Carolina since 1969. From 1991 to 1995, Mr. Vinroot served as Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina.

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

The Corporation uses a combination of cash and stock-based incentive compensation to attract and retain qualified candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. In setting director compensation, the Corporation considers the significant amount of time that Directors expend in fulfilling their duties to the Corporation as well as the skill-level required by the Corporation of members of the Board. The Board determines reasonable compensation for Directors upon recommendation of the Management Development and Compensation Committee of the Board, which retains independent compensation consultants to assist it.

 

Cash Compensation Paid to Board Members

 

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006, all of the Directors, except Mr. Zelnak, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation and is not compensated separately for his service as a Director, received an annual retainer of $32,500. Directors received $1,250 for each regular or special meeting of the Board and Board committees attended. Members of the Audit Committee received an additional $5,000 in view of their increased responsibilities. The Chair of the Audit Committee received an annual fee of $8,000 in light of his increased responsibilities. Each committee chair (other than the Chairs of the Audit and the Executive Committees) received an annual fee of $4,000. Directors were also reimbursed for travel and other expenses related to attendance at Board and committee meetings. The Corporation’s plane was used to transport some Directors to and from Board and committee meetings, but no Directors received personal use of the Corporation’s plane or other perquisites and personal benefits in 2006.

 

Equity Compensation Paid to Board Members

 

All of the Directors in 2006, except Mr. Zelnak, were granted 3,000 non-qualified stock option awards pursuant to the Amended and Restated Stock-Based Award Plan. The stock options granted to the Directors in 2006 were immediately exercisable and expire ten years from the date of grant. The exercise price of the shares of the Corporation’s common stock subject to the options was set at the closing price of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date the options were granted. Until an option is exercised, shares subject to option cannot be voted nor do they receive dividends or dividend equivalents.

 

Deferred Compensation Program for Board Members

 

Pursuant to the Common Stock Purchase Plan for Directors, non-employee Directors may elect to receive all or a portion of their fees in the form of the Corporation’s common stock, which must be deferred

until, at the Director’s election, the date the person ceases to be a Director or the date that is one year and one month following the date that the person ceases to be a Director. Directors may elect to receive payment of the deferred amount in a single lump sum or in equal annual installments for a period up to ten years. Directors may also elect to defer their fees paid in cash on the same basis. The Board of Directors unanimously agreed that a minimum of 50% of each Director’s fees would be paid in common stock and deferred pursuant to the terms of the plan. Amounts deferred under the plan in cash are credited with interest at the prime rate. Amounts deferred under the plan in common stock are credited toward units of common stock at a 20% discount from the fair market value of the common stock (the closing price of the common stock as reported in the Wall Street Journal) on the date the Director fees would otherwise be paid. There are no matching contributions made by the Corporation. The units are converted into common stock of the Corporation pursuant to the terms of the plan. Dividend equivalents are paid on the units at the same rate as dividends are paid to all shareholders. The Directors do not have voting or investment power for their respective units.

 

Director Compensation Table

 

The table below summarizes the compensation paid by the Corporation to non-employee Directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

 

Corporate Governance Philosophy

 

The Board of Directors has long believed that good corporate governance is important to ensure the Corporation is managed for the long-term benefit of its shareholders. The Corporation’s business is managed under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Board delegates the conducting of business to the Corporation’s senior management team. The corporate governance standards established by the Board provide a structure within which Directors and management can effectively pursue the Corporation’s objectives for the benefit of its shareholders. Even before the adoption of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, one of the most critical components that has governed the way the business affairs of the Corporation are conducted has been the Corporation’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, which has been in place for two decades.

 

With that backdrop, the Board has endeavored to choose Board and Committee members who are distinguished by a depth of knowledge and experience, to elect a qualified and dedicated management team, and to direct the business affairs of the Corporation to achieve long-term value for shareholders. The Board believes this purpose is particularly important in overseeing the management of a company such as the Corporation that is engaged in a cyclical business where the long-term value for shareholders may not be reflected in current stock prices and which may be temporarily depressed by short-term factors, such as recessionary economies and operating markets.

 

In furtherance of these goals, in 2002, the Board created a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, which consists of three independent Directors. Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Corporation. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the guidelines and making recommendations to the Board relating to corporate governance matters.

 

The New York Stock Exchange has adopted rules that require listed companies like the Corporation to adopt governance guidelines and comply with certain standards regarding corporate governance. The Corporation voluntarily implemented these corporate governance rules even prior to their effective date in 2004. The Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer certifies annually to the NYSE that he is not aware of any violation by the Corporation of the NYSE corporate governance listing standards. This certification is in addition to the certification by the Corporation’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer included with the Corporation’s periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Corporation also submits written affirmations to the NYSE annually regarding details of the Corporation’s compliance with the corporate governance rules of the NYSE.

 

The Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines are posted and available for public viewing on the Corporation’s website at www.martinmarietta.com. The guidelines address a wide array of governance issues. Among other matters, the corporate governance principles of Martin Marietta Materials include the following:

 

Ethics

 

 

 

Board Independence

 

 

Independent Board Committees

 

 

General

 

 

Who are the Corporation’s independent Directors?

 

All of the Corporation’s Directors are independent, non-employee Directors except Mr. Zelnak. Mr. Zelnak does not sit in the executive sessions of the independent Directors unless invited to attend for a specific discussion nor does he participate in any action of the Board relating to any executive compensation plan in which he may participate. The Board of Directors has determined that no Director (except Mr. Zelnak), or any person or organization with which the Director has any affiliation, has a relationship with the Corporation that may interfere with the Director’s independence from the Corporation and its management.

 

In assessing the independence of its members, the Board has adopted for the Corporation a set of Guidelines for Director’s Independence. The Guidelines are posted and available for public viewing on the Corporation’s website at www.martinmarietta.com. A copy may also be obtained upon request from the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary. These Guidelines reflect the rules of the NYSE, applicable requirements of the SEC, and other standards determined by the Board to be important in assessing the independence of Board members. The Board has determined that all members of the Board, except Mr. Zelnak, are “independent” under these Guidelines.

 

In making this “independence” determination, the Board considered other entities with which the Directors were affiliated and any business the Corporation had done with such entities. In that regard, Mr. Vinroot is a partner in the law firm of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. located in Charlotte, North Carolina, which provided certain legal services to the Corporation in 2006. Mr. Vinroot did not work on any of the legal matters for the Corporation. The amount of fees paid to Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A. for such services was less than $50,000 and less than 0.1% of the firm’s gross revenues for the last fiscal year. Accordingly, the Board determined that Mr. Vinroot’s relationship with the Corporation, directly and as a partner of Robinson, Bradshaw & Hinson, P.A., was not material for purposes of the independence determination.

 

William B. Sansom served as a Director of the Corporation during 2006 until he resigned on August 8, 2006. Mr. Sansom indicated that his reason for resignation was the demanding time commitment he had made in connection with his appointment to the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Valley Authority and subsequent election as Chairman of the TVA Board. The Board of Directors had determined that neither Mr. Sansom nor any person or organization with which Mr. Sansom had any affiliation, had a relationship with the Corporation that might have interfered with Mr. Sansom’s independence from the Corporation and its management. The Board of Directors had also determined that Mr. Sansom was “independent” under the Corporation’s Guidelines for Director’s Independence. In making these independence determinations, the Board considered the business the Corporation did with the TVA and with Astec Industries, Inc. (on whose

board of directors Mr. Sansom sat), which business was done in the ordinary course of the Corporation’s business and was not considered material.

 

Do the independent Directors ever meet without management?

 

The Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines adopted by the Board provide that at least two Board meetings each year will include an executive session of the non-employee Directors to discuss such topics as they may choose, including a discussion of the performance of the Corporation’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In 2006, the Corporation’s non-employee Directors met 6 times in executive session without management, in addition to executive sessions held by committees of the Board. The Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, currently Ms. Cole, a non-employee Director, presides at these executive sessions of non-employee Directors. In the absence of such Chair, the non-employee Directors would elect from among themselves a chair for such an executive session.

 

How would interested parties make their concerns known to the independent Directors?

 

The Board of Directors provides a process for shareholders to send communications to the Board. Shareholders and other interested parties may communicate anonymously and confidentially with the Board through the Corporation’s Ethics Hotline at 1-800-209-4508. The Board has also designated the Corporate Secretary to facilitate communications to the Board. Shareholders and other interested parties may communicate directly with the Board of Directors, or directly with non-management Directors, or an individual Director, including the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, by writing to Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 2710 Wycliff Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607-3033.

 

All communications by shareholders or other interested parties addressed to the Board will be sent directly to Board members. While the Corporation’s Ethics Officer and the Corporate Secretary may review, sort, and summarize these communications, all direct communications will be presented to the non-management Directors unless there is instruction from them to filter such communications (and in such event, any communication that has been filtered out will be made available to any non-management Director who wishes to review it).

 

The Corporation and its Board of Directors will continue to review and evaluate the process by which shareholders or other interested persons communicate with the Corporation and the Board and may adopt other or further processes and procedures in this regard. If so, the Corporation will identify those policies and procedures on its website at www.martinmarietta.com.

 

How often did the Board meet during 2006?

 

The Corporation’s Board of Directors held 9 meetings during 2006, five of which were regularly scheduled meetings. There were also a total of 23 committee meetings in 2006. In addition, management confers frequently with its Directors on an informal basis to discuss Corporation affairs.

 

How many times did Directors attend meetings of the Board and its Committees?

 

In 2006, all Directors attended 100% of the meetings of the Board of Directors except for Messrs. Sansom and Maffucci, who attended 89% of such meetings. All directors attended more than 91% of the meetings of the committees of the Board on which they served (during the periods that they served).

 

Will the Directors attend the annual meeting?

 

The Corporation’s Directors are expected to attend the Corporation’s annual meeting of shareholders. All Directors then serving on the Board attended the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders.

 

How are Directors compensated?

 

A table showing the compensation paid by the Corporation to its Directors other than Mr. Zelnak for the year ended December 31, 2006 is included in the section of this proxy statement entitled “DIRECTOR COMPENSATION — Director Compensation Table.” Mr. Zelnak’s compensation as an executive officer of the Corporation is shown in the section entitled “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION” and he receives no additional compensation for service as a Director.

 

What Committees has the Board established?

 

The Corporation’s Board of Directors has six standing committees: the Audit Committee, the Ethics, Environment, Safety and Health Committee, the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee, the Management Development and Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

The Audit Committee, which is composed entirely of non-employee, independent Directors, held 8 meetings during 2006. The Audit Committee meets periodically and separately in executive sessions with management, the independent auditors, and the Corporation’s internal auditors to review the activities of each. The Audit Committee possesses and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors relating to accounting, auditing, and financial reporting matters of the Corporation, except when such powers are by statute or the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws reserved to the full Board or delegated to another committee of the Board. The Audit Committee reports regularly to the full Board on these matters. The Audit Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the Corporation’s independent auditors. Among other duties, the Audit Committee:

 

 

° the scope and timing of work to be performed by the independent auditors

 

° compensation to be paid to the independent auditors

 

° financial accounting and reporting principles used by the Corporation

 

° policies and procedures concerning audits, accounting, and financial controls

 

° recommendations to improve existing practices

 

° results of the audit and the reports of the independent auditors

 

 

 

The Committee’s current members are Directors Bennett (Chair), Maffucci, Menaker, and Perez. The Board of Directors has determined that the Chair of the Audit Committee, Mr. Bennett, qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” as defined in rules adopted by the SEC. The Board has also determined that Mr. Bennett, and the other members of the Audit Committee, are independent of management, as required by the rules of the NYSE, SEC, and the Board’s Guidelines for Director’s Independence.

 

The Ethics, Environment, Safety and Health Committee held 2 meetings during 2006. It monitors compliance with the Corporation’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct and reviews all matters presented to it by the Corporate Ethics Officer concerning the ethical practices of the Corporation and its Directors, officers, and employees, including conflicts or potential conflicts of interest between the Corporation and any of its Directors, officers, and employees. The Committee also reviews and monitors the adequacy of the Corporation’s policies and procedures and organizational structure for ensuring compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and matters relating to health and safety. The Committee’s current members are Directors Menaker (Chair), Perez, Rediker, and Vinroot.

 

The Executive Committee held no meetings during 2006. It has the authority to act during the intervals between the meetings of the Board of Directors and may exercise the powers of the Board in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, except to the extent such powers are by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws reserved to the full Board. The Committee’s current members are Directors Zelnak (Chair), Bennett, and McDonald.

 

The Finance Committee held 5 meetings during 2006. It has been delegated general oversight powers related to the management of the financial affairs of the Corporation, including but not limited to, establishing lines of credit or other short-term borrowing arrangements and investing excess working capital funds on a short-term basis. The Committee reviews and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning changes to capital structure, including the incurrence of long-term debt, issuance of equity securities, share repurchases, and the payment of dividends, as well as capital expenditures and the contributions budget. The Committee’s current members are Directors Maffucci (Chair), Bennett, and Rediker.

 

The Management Development and Compensation Committee held 5 meetings during 2006. It is composed entirely of non-employee, independent Directors, as required by the rules of the NYSE, who are also “non-employee” and “outside” Directors as those terms are defined by Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 and Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The Committee possesses and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors relating to management development and compensation matters of the Corporation, except when such powers are by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws reserved to the full Board or delegated to another committee of the Board. The Committee reports regularly to the full Board on these matters. The purposes of the Committee are to:

 

 

 

The Committee has the power, in its sole discretion, to determine the compensation and benefits to be paid for all elected officers and employees. The Committee also approves and administers the grants of stock options and any other equity-based awards that may be granted by the Corporation.

 

The Committee reviews and approves the Corporation’s goals and objectives for Chief Executive Officer compensation, evaluates the Chief Executive Officer’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and determines and approves the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation level based on the Committee’s evaluation, which includes executive sessions with the independent directors of the Board of Directors. The Committee also reviews management’s assessment of the performance of other elected officers, and reviews and approves the salary, bonus, and other compensation of such elected officers. The Committee has the authority, in its sole discretion, to retain, pay, and terminate any consulting firm, if any, used to assist in evaluating director, chief executive officer, or senior executive compensation. The Committee has authority to delegate any of its duties under its charter, including to the Chair of the Committee, as it deems appropriate. The Committee also reviews with management at least annually plans for the orderly development and succession of executive management of the Corporation. The Committee’s current members are Directors McDonald (Chair), Cole, and Menaker.

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held 3 meetings in 2006. The Committee is composed entirely of non-employee, independent Directors, as required by the rules of the NYSE. The Committee possesses and may exercise the powers of the Board of Directors relating to the process of governance of the Corporation, except when such powers are by statute, the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws reserved to the full Board or delegated to another committee of the Board. The Committee reports regularly to the full Board on these matters. The purposes of the Committee are to:

 

 

The Committee also oversees the evaluation of the Board and management (along with the Management Development and Compensation Committee). The Committee has the sole authority to retain, pay, and terminate search firms, if any, used to identify Director candidates. The Committee’s current members are Directors Cole (Chair), McDonald, and Vinroot.

 

Upon the recommendation of this Committee, the Board of Directors has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines for the Corporation. The Guidelines are posted and available for public viewing on the Corporation’s website at www.martinmarietta.com. A copy may also be obtained upon request from the Corporation’s Corporate Secretary. Additional information concerning the corporate governance process of the Corporation is contained in the section entitled “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS” above.

 

Will the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consider any Director candidates recommended by shareholders?

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider nominees recommended by shareholders for election as a Director at an annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation, if the shareholder making such recommendation complies with the advance notice provisions of the Bylaws of the

Corporation. The Bylaws of the Corporation require advance notice for any proposal for the nomination for election as a Director at an annual meeting of shareholders that is not included in the Corporation’s notice of meeting or made by or at the direction of the Board of Directors. In general, nominations must be delivered to the Secretary of the Corporation at its principal executive offices, 2710 Wycliff Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607, not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the mailing of the proxy statement in connection with the preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders and must contain specified information concerning the nominee and the shareholder proposing the nomination. Any shareholder desiring a copy of the Bylaws of the Corporation will be furnished a copy without charge upon written request to the Secretary of the Corporation. Since the 2006 annual meeting, the Corporation has not made any material changes to the procedures by which shareholders may recommend nominees to the Corporation’s Board of Directors. Additional information is contained in the section entitled “SHAREHOLDERS’ PROPOSALS FOR 2008 ANNUAL MEETING” below.

 

How does the Board select nominees for the Board?

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider candidates for Board membership suggested by its members and other Board members, as well as management and shareholders. The Committee has also retained a third-party executive search firm to identify potential candidates for its consideration from time to time. The Committee makes an initial determination as to whether to conduct a full evaluation of the candidate, and reviews all information provided to the Committee, including the recommendations for the prospective candidate and the Committee’s own knowledge of the prospective candidate. If the Committee determines that additional consideration is warranted, interviews are conducted by the members of the Committee, as well as the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation; appropriate inquiries are conducted into the background and qualifications of potential candidates; the Committee meets to discuss its evaluation and feedback from the Chief Executive Officer; and, if the Committee determines to do so, it makes a recommendation to the full Board as to the persons who should be nominated by the Board. The Board of Directors determines the nominees after considering the recommendation and report of the Committee.

 

In evaluating any potential candidate, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers the extent to which the candidate has the personal characteristics and core competencies outlined in the Guidelines for Potential New Board Members adopted by the Committee, and takes into account all other factors it considers appropriate. A copy of these Guidelines is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A. The Committee seeks a diverse group of candidates who possess the background, skills, expertise, and time to make a significant contribution to the Board, to the Corporation, and to its shareholders.

 

Each nominee approved by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and recommended for election at the 2007 annual meeting is a current Director standing for re-election. The Committee received no additional recommendations for Director nominees for consideration at the annual meeting.

 

Do the Board Committees have charters? How can shareholders obtain them?

 

The Corporation’s Board of Directors has adopted written charters meeting the requirements of the NYSE for the Audit Committee, Management Development and Compensation Committee, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. These charters address the purposes and responsibilities of each committee, as described above, and provide for an annual performance evaluation of each committee. Copies of these charters are posted on the Corporation’s website at www.martinmarietta.com, along with copies of the Corporation’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, and Guidelines for Director’s Independence. A copy of each of these items may also be obtained free of charge by any shareholder upon request by writing to: Martin Marietta Materials, Inc., Attn: Corporate Secretary, 2710 Wycliff Road, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607-3033.

 

How are transactions with persons related to the Corporation reviewed?

 

The SEC requires the Corporation to disclose in this proxy statement certain transactions in which the Corporation participates and in which certain persons considered “related persons” of the Corporation have a direct or indirect material interest. These “related persons” would include the directors and executive officers of the Corporation, nominees for director, certain control persons, and their immediate family members.

 

Each director, executive officer, and nominee for director of the Corporation receives and agrees to abide by the Corporation’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. The Corporation considers that any transaction in which the Corporation participates and in which any related person of the Corporation has a direct or indirect material interest will be subject to the Corporation’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct and subject to review, approval or ratification, as appropriate under the circumstances, by the Corporation under the standards enumerated in the Corporation’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. If a proposed transaction is one in which a Director of the Corporation has an actual or potential conflict of interest, it will be subject to review by the Chairman of the Board of Directors and the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

 

Any waivers of the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct for Directors and executive officers may be made only by the Corporation’s Board of Directors or any committee to which it delegates that authority. Any waivers for Directors and executive officers and any amendments to the Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct will be promptly disclosed to the Corporation’s shareholders.

 

In assessing the independence of its members, the Board considers any interests a director may have in any transactions in which the Corporation participates. The Board also considers other entities with which the Directors are affiliated and any business the Corporation has done with such entities.

 

PROPOSAL 2 — INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

 

The Board of Directors recommends that the shareholders ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation and the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting for the fiscal year 2007. The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is being submitted to the shareholders because management believes this to be good corporate practice. Should the shareholders fail to ratify this appointment, the Board of Directors and its Audit Committee will review the matter.

 

Ernst & Young LLP served as the Corporation’s independent auditors for 2006 and audited the consolidated financial statements of the Corporation for the year ended December 31, 2006 and the effectiveness of the Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2006. In connection with the audit of the Corporation’s 2006 financial statements, the Corporation entered into an engagement letter with Ernst & Young LLP that set forth the terms by which Ernst & Young LLP would perform audit services for the Corporation. Ernst & Young LLP required that the audit engagement agreement be subject to alternative dispute resolution procedures and an exclusion of punitive damages.

 

The Audit Committee is solely responsible for retaining or terminating the Corporation’s independent auditors in 2007. Representatives of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to attend the annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they so desire, and will be available to respond to questions from shareholders.

 

The Board unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” ratification
of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent auditors.

Summary of Fees

 

The following table summarizes the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered to the Corporation by Ernst & Young LLP in 2006 and 2005. A description of these various fees and services follows the table. None of the audit hours conducted by Ernst & Young LLP in 2006 and 2005 were performed by people other than full time, permanent Ernst & Young LLP employees.

 

 

Audit Fees

 

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP to the Corporation for each of 2006 and 2005 in connection with the annual financial statement audit, the annual internal controls audit, and reviews of the Corporation’s financial statements included in the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q were $1,244,000 and $1,243,000, respectively.

 

Audit-Related Fees

 

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP to the Corporation for each of 2006 and 2005 in connection with audit-related services, including pension and subsidiary audits, accounting consultations, internal audit, and Securities and Exchange Commission filings were $130,000 and $189,000, respectively.

 

Tax Fees

 

The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP to the Corporation for each of 2006 and 2005 in connection with tax advice, including consultation on transfer pricing issues, and other tax-related activities were $121,000 and $37,000, respectively.

 

All Other Fees

 

There were no other fees billed for other professional services rendered or products provided by Ernst & Young LLP to the Corporation for 2006 and 2005.

 

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

 

The Audit Committee has adopted a policy that requires advance approval of all audit, audit-related, tax services, and other services performed by Ernst & Young LLP. The policy provides for pre-approval by the Audit Committee of specifically defined audit and non-audit services. Unless the specific service has been previously pre-approved with respect to that year, the Audit Committee must approve the permitted service before Ernst & Young LLP is engaged to perform it. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chair of the Audit Committee authority to approve permitted services, provided that the Chair reports any decision to the Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

Audit Committee Review

 

In connection with the Audit Committee’s review of services rendered and fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP, the Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of the non-audit related services described above is compatible with maintaining the independent auditors’ independence and has concluded that the provision of these services does not compromise such independence.

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is reassessed at least annually for adequacy by the Audit Committee. The Directors who serve on the Audit Committee have no financial or personal ties to the Corporation (other than Director compensation and equity ownership as described in this proxy statement) and are all “independent” for purposes of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s regulations, the New York Stock Exchange listing standards, and the Guidelines for Director’s Independence adopted by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that none of the Audit Committee members has a relationship with the Corporation that may interfere with the Director’s independence from the Corporation and its management. Copies of the Audit Committee’s charter and the Corporation’s Guidelines for Director’s Independence can be viewed on the Corporation’s website at www.martinmarietta.com.

 

The Board of Directors has charged the Audit Committee with a number of responsibilities, including review of the adequacy of the Corporation’s financial reporting, accounting systems, and internal controls. The Corporation’s independent auditors and the director of the internal audit function report directly and are ultimately accountable to the Audit Committee.

 

In the discharge of its responsibilities, the Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed with management and the independent auditors the Corporation’s audited financial statements for fiscal year 2006. In addition, the Committee has discussed with the independent auditors matters such as the quality (in addition to acceptability), clarity, consistency, and completeness of the Corporation’s financial reporting, as required by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T.

 

The Audit Committee has received from the independent auditors written disclosures and a letter concerning the independent auditors’ independence from the Corporation, as required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, (Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3600T, and has discussed with the independent auditors the independent auditors’ independence. The Audit Committee also received from the independent auditors a letter indicating there were no material issues raised by the independent auditors’ most recent internal quality control review, or by any inquiry or investigation by governmental or professional authorities within the preceding five years. These disclosures have been reviewed by the Committee and discussed with the independent auditors.

 

Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Corporation’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

February 27, 2007

 

AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

Marcus C. Bennett, Chair
David G. Maffucci
Frank H. Menaker, Jr.
Laree E. Perez

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

 

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

 

We believe that our employees are the Corporation’s most important resource. In developing our executive compensation policies, the Board of Directors, through the Management Development and Compensation Committee, focuses on two primary objectives: compensating our executive officers in a manner that is fair, reasonable and competitive and structuring executive compensation programs to provide incentives consistent with our strategic goals. The executive compensation program is designed to reward high performance in achieving both annual and long-term goals that have the ultimate objective of improving shareholder value. We measure the achievement of goals not only in terms of financial performance, but also by evaluating ethical conduct, safety performance, effectiveness of our internal controls and other factors as determined by the Committee. In 2006, as in prior years, the Committee evaluated financial performance by reference to our operating performance rather than short-term changes in stock price based on its view that our long-term operating performance will be reflected by stock price performance over the long-term. The Board believes this purpose is particularly important in overseeing the management of a company such as the Corporation that is engaged in a cyclical business where the long-term value for shareholders may not be reflected in current stock prices and which may be temporarily depressed by short-term factors, such as recessionary economies and operating markets. The types of compensation and benefits provided to the named executive officers are similar to those provided to other executive officers.

 

The Role of the Management Development and Compensation Committee

 

The Committee is responsible for carrying out the philosophy and objectives of the Board of Directors related to executive compensation in addition to its responsibilities of overseeing the development and succession of executive management of the Corporation. The Committee has the authority to determine compensation and benefits for the Corporation’s executive officers. The Committee members are each non-employee, independent Board members pursuant to the New York Stock Exchange rules, and the Committee operates pursuant to a written charter, a copy of which can be viewed on the Corporation’s website at www.martinmarietta.com.

 

The performance of the Chief Executive Officer and each other executive officer is reviewed regularly by the Committee. Based on this review the Committee sets compensation for all executive officers. Compensation decisions with respect to the executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer are based in part on recommendations by the Chief Executive Officer with respect to salary adjustments and annual cash and equity awards. The Committee can accept, reject or modify any recommended adjustments or awards to executive officers. For the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee sets the levels of annual adjustments and awards based on the criteria it deems to be appropriate under the circumstances. There are no employment agreements between the Corporation and any executive officer of the Corporation, including the Chief Executive Officer.

 

The Committee uses a mix of annual and long-term compensation to provide a total compensation structure that is designed to motivate executives to achieve the business goals set by the Corporation and reward the Corporation’s executives when they achieve those goals. Although the Committee has no specific pre-established policy or target for the allocation between either cash and non-cash or short-term and long-term compensation, the pay mix is largely dictated by competitive market practice combined with a philosophy of calibrating incentive levels to performance results. The Committee determines the percentage mix of compensation that it believes is appropriate for each of the executive officers based on their judgment and experience, compensation information compiled by management, recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer (except for his own compensation) and information provided by independent compensation

consultants. The Committee has engaged Watson Wyatt Worldwide as its independent compensation consultant to assist it in reviewing the Corporation’s executive compensation program to ensure that the program is consistent with the Board’s philosophy and to provide valuable information and insight as to market pay practices. Watson Wyatt conducts an annual review of the Corporation’s executive compensation program as well as a review of each component and total compensation for the Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Watson Wyatt provides the Committee with relevant market data and alternatives to consider when making compensation decisions for the Chief Executive Officer. Watson Wyatt also provides feedback to management on proxy information and published surveys which are then used by the Chief Executive Officer in making recommendations to the Committee with respect to compensation for executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer.

 

The Use of Benchmarking Information

 

The Committee reviews compensation information drawn from various sources, including proxy statements of a peer group of the following companies that we selected primarily from the Standards and Poors 1500 Basic Materials Index with other companies added to the group, that are in the aggregates, cement, natural resources and specialty chemical industries based on similarities in revenue and business characteristics: Albermarle Corporation, Arch Coal Inc., Bowater Inc., Cabot Corporation, Carpenter Technology Corp., Crane Company, Cytec Industries Inc., Florida Rock Industries, FMC Corporation, Granite Construction Inc., Headwaters Inc., Louisiana Pacific Corp., Lubrizol Corp., Minerals Technologies, Inc., Mosaic Company, Packaging Corp of America, Rinker Group Ltd., RPM International, Inc., Sigma Aldrich Corp., Sonoco Products Co., Texas Industries Inc., Universal Forest Products Inc., Valspar Corporation and Vulcan Materials Company. Because the information in the proxy statements of these companies generally does not provide precise comparisons by position to our executive officers, the Committee also takes into consideration published independent compensation surveys as to median levels for each executive officer. As to the Chief Executive Officer’s compensation, the Committee reviews relevant market data prepared by Watson Wyatt and the advice of Watson Wyatt.

 

In 2006, the Committee compared annual base salaries to the median compensation levels or the 50th percentile of executive officers performing similar job functions at the companies in the data it reviewed. It also compared targets for all variable pay, which is compensation other than base salaries, to the median level. The variable pay is based on specific performance measurements as discussed below for each component of compensation and is therefore commensurate with actual performance. In structuring variable pay, the Committee sought to give each executive officer the opportunity to earn more than the median of the total compensation paid to executive officers performing similar job functions at the peer companies for outstanding performance. The Committee used the median level for benchmarking purposes because it believes that is the appropriate level to attract and retain executive officers. Coupled with the opportunity to earn higher amounts commensurate with performance, the Committee believes high performing executives are given appropriate incentives and rewards for performance that results in improved shareholder value.

 

Although the Committee used the benchmark standards as its starting point in setting compensation levels, the compensation packages for executive officers may vary materially from the peer group benchmarks based on several factors. Market data, position, tenure, individual and organization performance, retention needs and internal pay equity have been the primary factors considered in decisions to increase or decrease compensation opportunities. Specifically, the Committee sets compensation levels below the benchmark levels for executive officers with relatively less relevant experience, less responsibility, less tenure with the Corporation and/or lower performance ratings. Conversely, if an officer consistently receives favorable performance ratings, accumulates years of service and expertise in relevant areas, has more responsibility and/or has significant other achievements, his or her compensation will typically be above the peer group

median. Long-term compensation to executive officers is based on specific performance measurements as discussed below for each component of compensation.

 

Compensation Structure and Awards for 2006

 

The Committee periodically reviews the components of the Corporation’s executive compensation program to ensure that pay levels are competitive and that incentive opportunities are effective in attracting and retaining talented employees. Consistent with the Committee’s approach in prior years, the 2006 executive compensation program was based on the following principles:

 

 

When setting total compensation for each of the named executive officers, the Committee reviews tally sheets that show the executive’s current compensation, including equity and non-equity based compensation. In establishing specific award levels in 2006, the Committee reviewed award amounts granted in past years but it did not adjust amounts or otherwise take into account other award amounts or prior awards that vested because all of the components are targeted at median levels with the opportunity to exceed such levels for superior performance. When the performance is achieved, we believe that the executive officers should be rewarded and that this approach is consistent with achieving sustained value for the shareholders.

 

Base Salary

 

The Corporation provides the named executive officers with base salaries to provide minimum compensation for services rendered during the fiscal year. Salary levels for executive officers are typically considered by the Committee annually as part of each executive officer’s performance review as well as upon a promotion or other change in job responsibility, and may be increased or decreased at that time based on: (1) the Committee’s agreement on the individual’s contribution to the Corporation, and (2) changes in median competitive pay levels. The competitive market rate and proposed individual salary for each executive are presented by the Chief Executive Officer to the Committee, along with data supporting the recommendations, other than for himself. In assessing the Chief Executive Officer’s base salary for 2006, the Committee reviewed base salary data for chief executive officers in the compensation studies described above. It also considered the advice of Watson Wyatt and certain other qualitative factors including the Committee’s belief in Mr. Zelnak’s continued superior stewardship of the Corporation and his accomplishment of positioning the Corporation to derive long-term value for the Corporation’s shareholders.

 

Annual Bonus Compensation

 

We award annual cash bonuses based on corporate performance objectives and the achievement of individualized targeted goals. This furthers the Corporation’s compensation philosophy in that it encourages superior performance and rewards the achievement of the Corporation’s annual goals. In 2006, under the Corporation’s Executive Incentive Plan, the amount of bonus that an executive could receive was based upon a percentage of that executive’s base salary. All of the executive officers participate in the plan, except for Mr. Zelnak, for whom bonus compensation is awarded outside of the plan.

 

In determining awards granted under the plan, the Committee first reviews the achievements of the Corporation for the past year as compared to its targeted goals set at the end of the previous year. The Committee then conducts a comparative review of the individual contributions of each of the executive officers towards achieving these goals. The Committee also considers qualitative measures of performance for the executive officers such as adherence to and implementation of the Corporation’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct, safety, customer satisfaction, and product quality.

 

The amount awarded to each executive officer is based upon the Committee’s objective and subjective assessment of each individual’s achievement of individualized targeted goals, including standard objective measures of financial performance such as earnings, cash flow, and other key sales and production metrics for the Corporation as a whole and for individual business units, and subjective measures, such as the individual’s overall contribution to the Corporation, personal or organizational development and overall effectiveness of the executive. The target for these goals, which is a percentage of base salary depending upon the executive’s position, is set at or about the median level. The maximum is 150% of target commensurate with performance at that level. There is no threshold since there is no guaranteed bonus if the performance goals are not met. The objective goals are established at the beginning of each plan year and are based upon the Corporation’s Long Range Operating Plan, which is set at the end of the previous year. For executives in corporate staff positions, 50% of the determination is made with respect to the Corporation’s performance and 50% is based on the individual’s performance against established objectives. For executives with operating unit responsibility 50% of the determination is made with respect to the operating unit’s performance, 25% is based on the Corporation’s performance and 25% is based on the individual’s performance against established objectives.

 

The factors that the Committee took into account in determining the Corporation’s performance in 2006 included a detailed assessment of the Corporation’s overall financial performance and each segment’s financial performance, the Corporation’s continuing cost reduction and automation initiatives that resulted in record sales and earnings, record safety results with an improved injury incident rate improvement over the prior year’s record low rate, and continuing achievement of excellent management of working capital.

 

Mr. Zelnak does not participate in the Corporation’s Executive Incentive Plan and his bonus, if any, is determined at the discretion of the Committee. The Committee did not attempt to set Mr. Zelnak’s 2006 bonus in any particular relationship to peer compensation survey data. The Committee awarded him an annual incentive bonus of $1,450,000 for 2006 after considering many diverse factors. Consistent with its compensation philosophy that focuses on long-term performance, the Committee considers whether there are factors in addition to quantitative ones that should be taken into account in establishing the overall level of Mr. Zelnak’s compensation. In this regard, the Committee considered accomplishments that benefit shareholders in the longer term. In determining the amount of Mr. Zelnak’s bonus for 2006, the Committee took into account the same type of objective performance measures and qualitative measures, such as the effectiveness and quality of Mr. Zelnak’s leadership of the Corporation, as it would typically consider for executive officers who receive awards under the plan.

 

The following achievements were considered by the Committee in determining Mr. Zelnak’s 2006 bonus: the continued significant improvement in the Corporation’s overall financial performance during the

year, including record net sales up 11% and earnings up 27% compared to 2005, earnings per share up 30% compared with the prior year and up 277% over the past three years; the continued strengthening of the Corporation’s balance sheet, including strong cash generation, continued reduction in working capital as a percentage of net sales, increase in dividends of 20% on an annualized basis, return of $219 million in cash to shareholders including repurchase of $173 million of the Corporation’s common stock and payment of $46 million in dividends; the continued successful implementation of key strategic internal growth and improvement initiatives that resulted in significant operating margin improvement of 260 basis points from 17.3% to 19.9% for the Corporation; record share price performance of an increase of 35% at year-end following an increase of 43% in 2005; the innovative use of the Corporation’s information systems to achieve new and improved applications to enhance customer service and management’s ability to analyze and manage the business; no material deficiencies in the Corporation’s system of internal control over financial reporting; and the continued successful implementation of the Corporation’s focus on long haul transportation to build competitive advantage, on assembling assets in growth areas and on continuing its disciplined growth strategy, including the divestiture of underperforming assets.

 

Because subjective performance criteria are used in determining the bonus compensation paid under the Executive Incentive Plan and the bonus compensation paid to Mr. Zelnak, the bonus compensation does not qualify for the performance-based exception to the $1,000,000 limit on deductibility of executive officer compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.

 

Performance-Based Stock Purchase Awards

 

The Incentive Stock Plan is intended to give the named executive officers who participate in the Executive Incentive Plan the opportunity to invest up to 50% of their annual cash bonus to purchase units that are subsequently converted into shares of common stock pursuant to the terms of the plan at a 20% discount from the market price of the Corporation’s common stock on the date the amount of the bonus is determined. Participation in the plan is elective, except that all senior officers of the Corporation are required to invest a minimum of 20% of their cash bonus towards the crediting of units under the plan, except for the Chief Executive Officer who is required to invest a minimum of 35% of his cash bonus towards the crediting of such units. The units generally vest in three years from the date of the award and are distributed in shares of common stock.

 

The mandatory contribution requirement directly links a portion of executive officer compensation to shareholder returns. The vesting aspect combined with the yearly stock purchase requirement creates continuous overlapping three-year cycles, which encourage executive officer retention and provide a continuous link of a significant portion of executive officer compensation with shareholder return over the long-term to reward these executive officers in line with our shareholders when our stock price increases.

 

Long Term Incentive Compensation

 

The Corporation’s long-term compensation in 2006 was equity awards granted in the form of stock options and restricted stock units. When the Committee grants each component of long-term compensation, it first determines the intended cash value of the award based on specific performance metrics described below. It then converts the cash value into an equity award using the closing price of the common stock on the date of award. The equity award is subject to vesting and forfeiture as described below. The target for the awards is the median of comparable companies and the Committee has designed the awards to give the participants an opportunity to exceed the median level with high performance. Accordingly, these components of the executive compensation program encourage participants to focus on the long-term performance of the Corporation and provide an opportunity for executive officers to increase their stake in the Corporation.

The long-term incentive compensation program delivers more value to executive officers if the value of the Corporation’s stock increases.

 

LTIP Awards.  In 2005 and 2006, the Committee changed the design of the Corporation’s long-term incentive program (LTIP Awards) by (1) granting a mix of options and restricted stock units and (2) basing the amount of the award on the performance of the Corporation. Prior to 2005, options alone were granted based on a multiple of base pay. The Committee believes that the mix provides better incentives to executive officers than either options or restricted stock units alone. In addition, a change in the accounting rules beginning in 2006 made stock options less attractive because of their impact on our financial statements. Stock options link the compensation provided to the named executive officers with gains realized by the shareholders and therefore serve to confer on recipients an ownership interest in the Corporation. These awards also assist the Corporation in maintaining competitive levels of total compensation. The vesting periods associated with stock options encourage the continued retention of these individuals. The granting of restricted stock unit awards to executive officers continues to provide a motivating form of equity compensation and provides certain advantages over the use of only stock options because restricted stock units have an intrinsic value when granted and executives holding these awards share an immediate downside risk with our shareholders. In addition, restricted stock units permit us to issue fewer shares to deliver the same value, thereby reducing potential dilution.

 

For each named executive officer, other than the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee derived a target dollar value for this component of compensation. Based on the Corporation’s return on invested capital as compared to the weighted average cost of capital for the preceding fiscal year, the target was increased by a predetermined percent. The dollar value was then converted to stock options and restricted stock units on a 2-to-1 basis using the closing price on the date of grant. The Committee selected the Corporation’s return on invested capital as compared to the weighted average cost of capital as the performance criterion for this award because of its view that this is a standard measure of the Corporation’s performance. The 2-to-1 basis was determined on a variety of factors, including lattice modeling values for options, median levels of compensation, and a subjective view regarding the appropriate mix of restricted stock units and stock options in light of compensation, incentive and accounting considerations.

 

In 2006, the Committee awarded Mr. Zelnak 38,653 options and 19,327 shares of restricted stock units that are subject to vesting, which the Committee believes will align this portion of Mr. Zelnak’s compensation directly with the Corporation’s performance. In exercising its discretion for Mr. Zelnak, the Committee generally follows the same procedures as are followed in determining the amount of annual bonus compensation discussed above. The Committee determined the dollar value for this component of Mr. Zelnak’s compensation by starting with the median level of long-term compensation identified in the compensation studies reviewed. The Committee then adjusted the amount as it deemed appropriate based on its subjective determination of the Chief Executive Officer’s performance. The dollar value was converted to a mix of stock options and restricted stock units on a 2-to-1 basis, as are the long-term stock option and restricted stock unit awards for the other named executive officers.

 

The stock options granted in 2006 vest ratably over 4 years and the restricted stock units vest on the fourth anniversary of the grant date, in each case in general if the executive is continuously employed from the date of grant through the vesting date. Prior to the exercise of a stock option, the holder has no rights as a shareholder with respect to the shares subject to such option, including voting rights and the right to receive dividends or dividend equivalents. Executives who receive awards of restricted stock units (including restricted stock units discussed below) receive dividend equivalents paid on the shares awarded at the same rate and at the same time as the other shareholders of the Corporation. The value of the receipt of these dividend equivalents is included in the value of the restricted stock unit awards shown in the Summary Compensation Table. We pay

these dividend equivalents to remain competitive on compensation because the majority of other comparable companies in compensation surveys pay dividends or equivalents.

 

Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Awards.  In 2006, the Committee granted restricted stock unit awards to the named executive officers under the Amended and Restated Stock-Based Award Plan. These awards were in addition to the LTIP awards described in the preceding paragraphs. The Committee makes these awards in addition to the awards described above because these awards incentivize performance relative to other public companies with which the Committee believes the Corporation competes for investors. By contrast, the awards described under the heading LTIP Awards reward the Corporation’s performance without regard to the performance of other companies. These awards vest three years from the date of grant and require the executives to remain employed for the three-year period for vesting to occur. This approach offers the opportunity for the value of the awards to increase if the value of the Corporation’s common stock increases, thereby further aligning the executive’s interests with those of our shareholders.

 

The restricted stock unit awards granted in 2006 were based on the Corporation’s performance as measured by its total return on shareholders’ investment that is equally weighted and determined by a total return to shareholders ranking that has a target level of at least the 60th percentile as compared to the Standard and Poor’s index of 400 MidCap companies and to the Standard and Poor’s 1500 Basic Materials Index over the three year period ending on December 31, 2005. No award would have been granted if the Corporation had not met the threshold performance objectives. The target award was based on 40% of each executive officer’s base salary. The executives would have earned 50% of their targeted award if the Corporation achieved the threshold 30th percentile as compared to each of the comparison groups, 100% of their targeted award if the Corporation had achieved the 60th percentile level, and 150% of the targeted award if the Corporation had achieved the 75th percentile level. These percentages were selected because at the target level, it rewards executives for performance that surpasses the comparison groups of companies. The threshold and stretch goals were determined based on the Committee’s subjective determination that these were appropriate. For the awards granted in 2006, the Corporation achieved the 84th percentile of the companies in the Standard and Poor’s index of 400 MidCap companies and the 74th percentile as compared to the Standard and Poor’s 1500 Basic Materials Index, for a total award of 148% of the target.

 

Succession Planning Restricted Stock Unit Awards.  In 2003, the Committee granted restricted stock unit awards to a group of five executive officers and to the Chief Executive Officer, then ranging in age from 55 to 58, in connection with executive succession planning for the Corporation. The purpose of these awards was to provide an additional level of retention compensation to certain highly valued executive officers. The nature and size of the awards were determined based on a variety of factors, including the advice of Watson Wyatt as to the type and level of award that would be effective in retaining the executives for the desired period of time. The Committee considers these awards to serve a specific purpose and did not adjust the level of other equity awards granted to these individuals because of these awards. The awards vest when each executive officer reaches age 62 if employed with the Corporation at that time and for the Chief Executive Officer, after six years of continued employment with the Corporation.

 

These awards are reflected in the “Stock Awards” column of our Summary Compensation Table, with the amount included in that column for each executive officer who received them being the ratable portion of the value of the award over the vesting period. Because the vesting period is shorter for the older recipients of these awards, the corresponding amount reflected in the table for those executives is greater than that reflected for younger executives who received the same number of restricted stock units due to the shorter effective vesting period.

 

Stock-Based Awards Generally.  All stock purchase awards under our Incentive Stock Plan and performance-based restricted stock unit awards are granted at the Committee’s regularly scheduled meetings in February following the availability of financial results for the prior year, and all LTIP awards are granted in

May to enable us to consider current proxy information and compensation surveys for comparable companies. Newly hired executive officers may, subject to the discretion of the Committee, receive an award of restricted stock units as of the date of their hire. The per-share exercise price for all stock options and restricted stock units are awarded at the New York Stock Exchange closing price of the Corporation’s common stock on the date of the grant. The Committee has never granted stock options with an exercise price that is less than the closing price of the Corporation’s common stock on the grant date nor has it granted options that are priced on a date other than the date the Committee took action to make such grants. The Committee’s schedule is determined several months in advance and the proximity of any awards to earnings announcements or other market events is coincidental.

 

All of the Corporation’s equity-based award plans have been approved by shareholders.

 

Ownership Guidelines

 

The Corporation does not have formal minimum ownership guidelines for the named executive officers but, as noted above, it does require that the named executive officers, other than the Chief Executive Officer, invest a minimum of 20%, and that the Chief Executive Officer invest a minimum of 35%, of each year’s cash bonus award in common stock units of the Corporation through the Incentive Stock Plan, which awards vest generally after three years of additional employment with the Corporation. In addition, a significant portion of the executive compensation program is in the form of equity awards that vest over various periods. The Committee believes that the equity components of the compensation program appropriately align the interests of executive officers with the interests of our shareholders, as more fully described above.

 

Perquisites

 

The Corporation provides named executive officers with perquisites that the Committee believes are appropriate, reasonable and consistent with its overall compensation program to better enable the Corporation to attract and retain superior employees for key positions. The Committee periodically reviews the types and levels of perquisites provided to the named executive officers. The value of each of the named executive officer’s perquisites is included in the annual compensation set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.

 

The perquisites provided in 2006 to the named executive officers included personal use of leased automobiles and, for some executive officers, personal use of the Corporation’s plane and personal use of country club or dinner club memberships. The Corporation also provides to executive officers and other employees certain other fringe benefits such as tuition reimbursement, airline club dues, professional society dues, and food and recreational fees incidental to official company functions. The aggregate of these other benefits was less than $10,000 for each named executive officer in 2006.

 

Retirement and Other Benefits

 

In order to attract, retain and maintain market competitive levels of compensation, we provide retirement and other benefits to the named executive officers and other employees. The benefits under the defined benefit pension plan are more valuable for employees who remain with the Corporation for longer periods, thereby furthering the Corporation’s objectives of retaining individuals with more expertise in relevant areas and who can participate in management development for purposes of executive succession planning. All of the Corporation’s salaried employees are eligible to participate in the following retirement and other plans. The named executive officers participate in the plans on the same terms as the Corporation’s other salaried employees. Additional information regarding these benefits is under the heading Pension Benefit Table below and the accompanying narrative.

 

Pension Plan.  We have a defined benefit pension plan under which full-time salaried employees of the Corporation who have completed five continuous years of employment with the Corporation, including the named executive officers, earn the right to receive certain benefits upon retirement on a reduced basis at or after age 55 and on an unreduced basis at or after age 62. Retirement benefits are monthly payments for life based on a multiple of the years of service and the final average eligible pay for the five highest consecutive years in the last ten years before retirement, less an offset for Social Security. The amount is equal to the sum of (A) plus (B) plus (C) below:

 

 

 

Supplemental Excess Retirement Plan.  We also have a nonqualified plan that covers any employee in the defined benefit pension plan, including the named executive officers, who are highly compensated and whose qualified plan benefit is reduced by Internal Revenue Code benefit and pay limits in Sections 415(b) and 401(a)(17). The plan is based on the same formula as the qualified Pension Plan described above. Benefits under our nonqualified plan are paid from our general assets.

 

Performance Sharing Plan.  The Performance Sharing Plan is a tax-qualified defined contribution retirement savings plan pursuant to which all salaried employees, including the named executive officers, are eligible to contribute up to the limit prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service on a before-tax basis and up to an additional 10% on an after-tax basis. We match 50% of the first 7% of pay that is contributed by employees to the Performance Sharing Plan up to Internal Revenue Service limitations. All contributions as well as any matching contributions are fully vested upon contribution.

 

Retiree Medical.  Employees who commenced employment with the Corporation prior to December 1, 1999 and who retire with at least 5 years of service are currently eligible for retiree medical benefits for life. Employees who commenced employment with the Corporation between December 1, 1999 and December 31, 2001 and who retire with at least 15 years of service are currently eligible for retiree medical benefits until age 65. Employees share the cost of retiree medical based on their years of service and a predetermined cap on total payments by the Corporation.

 

Medical Insurance.  The Corporation provides an opportunity to all of its salaried employees and the employees’ immediate family to select health, dental and vision insurance coverage. The Corporation pays a portion of the premiums for this insurance for all employees. All employees, including the named executive officers, pay a portion of the premiums depending on the coverage they choose.

 

Life and Disability Insurance.  The Corporation provides to all of its salaried employees, including the named executive officers, certain disability and/or life insurance. All employees, including the named executive officers, pay a portion of the premiums depending on the coverage they choose.

 

Housing Allowance and Relocation Costs.  The Corporation provides relocation benefits, including a housing allowance, to certain employees upon their employment with the Corporation or in conjunction with a job promotion. None of the named executive officers received any relocation reimbursements or housing allowances in 2006.

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

 

The Corporation has entered into an Employment Protection Agreement with each of the named executive officers that provides for certain payments and benefits upon a change of control. The Corporation’s equity-based award plans and retirement plans also provide for certain post-termination payments and benefits. The Committee believes these payments and benefits are important to align the interests of the executive officers with the interests of the shareholders because the agreements will reduce or eliminate the reluctance to pursue potential change of control transactions that may ultimately lead to termination of their employment but otherwise be in the best interests of our shareholders. There are no employment agreements with any employees of the Corporation, including the named executive officers.

 

Payments Upon Change of Control.  The purpose of the Employment Protection Agreements is to provide the Corporation’s key executives with payments and benefits upon certain types of terminations within two years and 30 days following a “Change of Control.” A Change of Control is generally defined as (i) the acquisition by any person, or related group of persons, of 40% or more of either the outstanding common stock of the Corporation or the combined voting power of the Corporation’s outstanding securities, (ii) consummation of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets following which the Corporation’s shareholders before such event fail to own more than 50% of the resulting entity, (iii) a change in the majority membership of the Board, or (iv) a liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation.

 

The agreements provide that if, within the two-year period following a Change of Control, an executive is terminated without “Cause” (as defined in the agreements) or terminates his or her employment with “Good Reason” (as defined in the agreements), or if the executive voluntarily terminates his or her employment for any reason during the thirty-day period following the second anniversary of the Change of Control, the Corporation is obligated to pay the executive, in a lump sum, an amount equal to three times the sum of the executive’s “Base Salary” and “Annual Bonus” as defined in the agreements. The rationale for selecting these triggers is to encourage the named executive officers to remain focused on the Corporation, its performance and matters that are in the best interests of its shareholders rather than be distracted by the personal impact to their employment that the change of control may have. The rationale for selecting the latter trigger is to provide an incentive for the executive to remain with the Corporation for at least two years following a Change of Control and provide a limited period during which the executive could terminate his or her employment for no reason and obtain payment under his or her Employment Protection Agreement. In addition, for three years following termination of employment, the Corporation must provide the executive with welfare benefits that are generally as favorable as those the executive enjoyed prior to the Change of Control. Executives also are credited with an additional three years of service under the defined benefit plan, are eligible to retire after age 55 without reduction in benefits and with a lump sum payment based on a 0% discount rate. Furthermore, the agreements provide for “gross up” payments to compensate the executives for any golden parachute excise taxes imposed under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 on account of the severance amounts. Gross-up payments are provided to ensure that executives retain the full value of these awards in these termination scenarios. The agreements also have confidentiality requirements to ensure that the executives do not disclose any confidential information relating to the Corporation.

 

In addition, the Corporation’s Amended and Restated Stock-Based Award Plan, pursuant to which equity-based awards are made to the executive officers, provides that upon the occurrence of a change of control of the Corporation as provided in the Employment Protection Agreements, all time periods for purposes of vesting in, or realizing gain from, any outstanding award under the plan will automatically accelerate.

 

Tax and Accounting Implications

 

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 makes certain compensation to the named executives in excess of $1 million non-deductible to the Corporation unless it is based on objectively determined performance criteria pursuant to a plan approved by shareholders. One of the named executive officers received annual compensation exceeding $1 million in 2006 that is not deductible pursuant to Section 162(m).

 

As part of its role, the Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m). Although the Committee has structured the current compensation program based on various performance criteria as described above, certain aspects of the program do not comply with the other requirements of Section 162(m). The Committee has determined that it is essential in achieving the compensation objectives discussed above to retain the flexibility to exercise subjective judgment in assessing an executive’s performance. The Committee believes that the achievement of the Corporation’s general compensation policies and objectives that are currently in place best serves shareholder interests.

 

As noted above, the Corporation has moved from using only stock options as its long-term equity compensation component to a mix of options and restricted stock units. This was in part due to the change in accounting procedures required by FAS 123(R) beginning in 2006. As a result of this change, which provided that options would be accounted for on an equal footing with restricted stock units, restricted stock units became a more viable component of compensation.

 

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

 

The Management Development and Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 20 of this proxy statement. Based on this review and discussion, the Management Development and Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and this Proxy Statement.

 

February 27, 2007

 

MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT AND
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

 

William E. McDonald, Chair

Sue W. Cole

Frank H. Menaker, Jr.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER
PARTICIPATION IN COMPENSATION DECISIONS

 

The members of the Corporation’s Management Development and Compensation Committee are Directors McDonald, Cole, and Menaker, none of whom has ever been an officer or employee of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries. There are no executive officer-Director interlocks where an executive of the Corporation serves on the compensation committee of another corporation that has an executive officer serving on the Corporation’s Board of Directors.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Executive Officer Compensation

 

The following tables show annual and long-term compensation earned by the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the next four most highly compensated executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2006 for services in all capacities to the Corporation. Other than compensation paid by the Corporation as set forth below, no annual or long-term compensation of any kind was paid to the Chief Executive Officer or other named executive officers of the Corporation in the year ended December 31, 2006. These tables and the accompanying narratives should be read in conjunction with the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this proxy statement, which provides a detailed overview of the methods used by the Corporation to compensate its officers, including the named executive officers.

 

Summary Compensation Table

 

The table below summarizes the total compensation paid or earned by each of the named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. The Corporation has not entered into any employment agreements with any of the named executive officers.

 

Based on the fair value of equity awards granted to the named executive officers in 2006 and the base salary of the named executive officers, the base salary accounted for approximately 22% of the total compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and approximately 30% of the total compensation of the other named executive officers, while incentive compensation including the cash bonus accounted for more than 70% of the total compensation of each of the named executive officers. Because the value of certain equity awards included below is based on the FAS 123(R) value, these percentages may not be able to be derived using the amounts reflected in the table below.

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

 

 

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

 

The table below shows each grant of an award made to a named executive officer in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. This includes equity awards made to the named executive officers under the Corporation’s Stock-Based Award Plan and the Incentive Stock Plan.

 

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS TABLE

 

 

 

Stock-based incentive awards have been a significant component of the Corporation’s management compensation. In 1998, the Board of Directors adopted and the Corporation’s shareholders approved the Stock-Based Award Plan. In 2006, the shareholders approved amendments to the plan increasing the number of shares of the Corporation’s common stock available for restricted stock awards. They also approved amendments to the plan designed to more directly tie long-term compensation incentives to the Corporation’s performance and enhance flexibility in structuring long-term incentive compensation packages by providing a mix of different types of long-term stock-based incentives.

 

As amended, the plan authorizes the Management Development and Compensation Committee to award stock options, restricted stock and other stock-based incentive awards to employees of the Corporation for the purpose of attracting, motivating, retaining and rewarding talented and experienced employees. The plan also provides for the automatic grant of non-qualified stock options to non-employee Directors of the Corporation on an annual basis, or as otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. Since 2005, the Corporation’s long-term compensation program consists of a mix of options and restricted stock units for senior level employees and restricted stock for other select employees. The awards granted are based on the achievement by the Corporation of specific goals related to the return on invested capital as compared to the Corporation’s weighted average cost of capital. Other restricted stock unit awards are granted based on the Corporation’s performance relative to peer groups.

 

A maximum of 5,000,000 shares of the Corporation’s common stock are authorized under the plan for grants to key employees. Of that amount, 1,500,000 shares are available under the Plan for restricted stock awards. Each award under the plan is evidenced by an award agreement setting forth the number and type of stock-based incentives subject to the award and such other terms and conditions applicable to the award as determined by the Committee. No individual may receive annual grants for more than 10% of the shares available under the plan.

 

Restricted stock awards to the named executive officers represent the value of units that correspond to common stock awarded to participants under the plan based on the closing market price of the Corporation’s common stock on the date of grant. The number of units granted to the named executive officers in 2006 include awards based on the attainment of the following goals: (1) on the Corporation’s performance as measured by its specific return on shareholders investment determined by a total return to shareholders ranking that must be at least in the 30th percentile as compared to the Standard and Poor’s MidCap 400 Index and to the Standard and Poor’s Basic Materials Index (formerly named the Basic Materials Industrial Group) for the three year performance period ending on January 1 in the year the awards are granted; and (2) the Corporation’s return on invested capital as compared to the weighted average cost of capital. Such awards vest generally if the executive is continuously employed from the date of grant through December 1 of the year that is immediately preceding three years from the date of grant or the fourth anniversary of the date of the grant, respectively, at which time shares of common stock are issued to the participant. Dividend equivalents are paid on the units at the same rate as dividends are paid to all shareholders.

 

Stock option awards to the named executive officers are made by the Committee, upon the recommendation of management of the Corporation, except for Mr. Zelnak, for whom the Committee formulates its own decision, and may be awarded based on past performance or as incentive for future efforts. Under the applicable award agreements, the 2006 options will vest and become exercisable in four equal increments on

May 22, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010, and expire 8 years from the date of grant. Options awarded in 2006 expire 90 days following termination of employment, except in instances following death, disability or retirement. In the event of death, all outstanding options vest immediately and will expire one year following the date of death. For options awarded in 2006, the award agreement states that the terms of all outstanding options will be unaffected by normal retirement or disability and in the event of early retirement, options that are not vested will terminate on the second business day after such retirement and options that are vested will terminate 90 days thereafter unless the Chief Executive Officer or, in the case of the Corporation’s executive officers, the Committee, determines that all outstanding options will be unaffected by such retirement. In the event of a change in control (as defined in the plan), the vesting date of all outstanding options is accelerated so as to cause all outstanding options to become exercisable. The exercise price of the shares of common stock subject to options is set by the Committee and must be at least 100% of the fair market value of the shares on the date the option is granted.

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

 

The table below shows for each of the named executive officers the unexercised stock options, stock unit awards that have not vested, and equity incentive plan awards outstanding on December 31, 2006.

 

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END TABLE

 

 

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

 

The table below shows on an aggregated basis for each of the named executive officers information on (1) the exercise of options for the purchase of the Corporation’s common stock and (2) the vesting of stock, including restricted stock units and Incentive Stock Plan units, during the last completed fiscal year. There are no awards of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) for the Corporation’s common stock or other similar instruments.

 

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE