SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Check the appropriate box:
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14a-6(e)(2))
/X/ Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.14a-12
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or
Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A.
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14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)
and 0-11.
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pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the
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[LOGO]
LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION Proxy Statement and
111 S.W. Fifth Avenue Notice to Stockholders of
Portland, Oregon 97204 ANNUAL MEETING
(503) 221-0800 MAY 6, 1996
March 26, 1996
Dear Stockholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I cordially invite you to attend the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation. The meeting
will be held on Monday, May 6, 1996, at 9:30 a.m. at The Benson Hotel, 309 S.W.
Broadway, Portland, Oregon. Your Board of Directors and I look forward to
greeting personally those stockholders able to be present.
At this year's meeting, in addition to the election of three directors and
approval of the appointment of auditors, you will be asked to vote upon approval
of performance goals under an executive bonus plan and approval of an employee
stock purchase plan. Your Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR
each of these proposals. Action will also be taken on any other matters that are
properly presented at the meeting, including three stockholder proposals, which
the Board of Directors opposes for the reasons stated in the proxy statement.
Regardless of the number of shares you own, it is important that they be
represented and voted at the meeting whether or not you plan to attend.
Accordingly, you are requested to sign, date, and mail the enclosed proxy at
your earliest convenience.
The accompanying proxy statement contains important information about the
annual meeting and your corporation. On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank
you for your continued interest and support.
Sincerely,
[SIGNATURE]
Mark A. Suwyn
CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
On written request, Louisiana-Pacific will provide, without charge, a copy
of the Corporation's Form 10-K Report for 1995 filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (including the financial statements and the schedules
thereto and a list briefly describing the exhibits thereto) to any record holder
or beneficial owner of the Corporation's common stock on March 14, 1996, the
record date for the 1996 Annual Meeting, or to any person who subsequently
becomes such a record holder or beneficial owner. The reports will be available
for mailing in April 1996. Requests should be sent to: Pamela A. Selis, Director
of Corporate Communications, Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, 111 S.W. Fifth
Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204.
LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May 6, 1996
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation ("L-P")
will be held at The Benson Hotel, 309 S.W. Broadway, Portland, Oregon, on
Monday, May 6, 1996, at 9:30 a.m., local time, to consider and vote upon the
following matters:
1. Election of three Class II directors.
2. Approval of performance goals under a performance-based incentive bonus
plan.
3. Approval of the 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
4. Approval of the appointment of Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, to examine L-P's financial statements for 1996.
5. A stockholder's proposal, NOT recommended by management, relating to the
classification of the Board of Directors, if properly presented at the meeting.
6. A stockholder's proposal, NOT recommended by management, relating to
personal liability of directors, if properly presented at the meeting.
7. A stockholder's proposal, NOT recommended by management, relating to
compensation and workplace policies.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 1996, are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.
ANTON C. KIRCHHOF, SECRETARY
Portland, Oregon
March 26, 1996
WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO ATTEND THE MEETING, PLEASE SIGN AND DATE THE
ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN ORDER THAT YOUR STOCK MAY BE VOTED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE PROXY STATEMENT. IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU
MAY WITHDRAW YOUR PROXY AND VOTE IN PERSON.
PROXY STATEMENT
Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("L-P"), is soliciting
proxies on behalf of its Board of Directors to be voted at the 1996 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders (including any adjournment of the meeting). This proxy
statement and the accompanying proxy card are first being sent to stockholders
on approximately March 26, 1996.
VOTING PROCEDURE
A proxy card is enclosed for your use. To vote by proxy, please sign, date,
and return the proxy card promptly. For your convenience, a return envelope is
enclosed, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States.
You may indicate your voting instructions on the proxy card in the spaces
provided. Properly completed proxies will be voted as instructed. If you return
a proxy without indicating voting instructions, your shares will be voted in
accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors -- FOR items 1
through 4 listed on the notice of annual meeting and AGAINST the three
stockholder proposals listed as items 5, 6, and 7 on the notice of annual
meeting.
If you return a proxy card, you may revoke it (i) by filing either a written
notice of revocation or a properly signed proxy bearing a later date with the
Secretary of L-P at any time before the meeting, or (ii) by voting in person at
the annual meeting.
If you participate in the Automatic Dividend Reinvestment Plan offered by
First Chicago Trust Company of New York, all the shares held for your account in
the plan will be voted in the same manner as shares you vote by proxy. If you do
not vote by proxy, the shares held for your account under the plan will not be
voted.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 1996, are
entitled to receive notice of the annual meeting and to vote at the meeting. At
the record date, there were 108,584,031 shares of common stock, $1 par value
("Common Stock") outstanding. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote
on each matter to be acted upon. A majority of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock represented at the meeting will constitute a quorum. Additional
information concerning holders of outstanding Common Stock may be found under
the heading "Holders of Common Stock" below. Only stockholders and their proxies
are entitled to attend the annual meeting.
The Board of Directors has adopted a confidential voting policy which
provides that the voting instructions of stockholders are not to be disclosed to
L-P except (i) in the case of communications intended for management, (ii) in
the event of certain contested matters, or (iii) as required by law. Votes will
be tabulated by independent tabulators and summaries of the tabulation will be
provided to management.
ITEM 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
As previously reported, in July 1995, three directors and executive officers
of L-P, Harry A. Merlo, James Eisses, and Ronald L. Paul, resigned from their
positions with L-P. Donald R. Kayser, a director and former executive officer of
L-P, agreed to serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer on an interim
basis, a position he held until Mark A. Suwyn became Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer on January 2, 1996. Also in July 1995, Lee C. Simpson, a
former director and executive officer, agreed to return as a director and as
interim President and Chief Operating Officer, a position he held until March
15, 1996.
Securities and Exchange Commission rules specify the items of information
that must appear in this proxy statement, including certain information
concerning former officers and directors. In reviewing the remainder of this
proxy statement, stockholders should bear in mind that the information presented
reflects not only the current management and Board of Directors of L-P, but also
reflects the former management and the effects of the recent changes in L-P's
Board of Directors and executive officers.
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NOMINEES
Two of the nominees for the board positions to be voted on at the meeting
are now members of the Board of Directors and the third nominee, Mr. Flaherty,
is proposed to fill a vacancy on the board of directors. The term of office for
the positions to be voted on will expire at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
in 1999. The nominees are:
PIERRE S. DU PONT NOMINEE FOR TERM EXPIRING 1999
Pierre S. du Pont, age 61, has been a director since August 1991. He is a
partner in the Wilmington, Delaware, law firm of Richards, Layton & Finger. He
is a former governor of Delaware and a former member of the United States House
of Representatives. Gov. du Pont is also a director of Northwestern Mutual Life
Insurance Co. and Whitman Corporation.
WILLIAM E. FLAHERTY NOMINEE FOR TERM EXPIRING 1999
William E. Flaherty, age 63, was nominated by the Board of Directors in
March 1996 to fill a vacancy on the Board. Mr. Flaherty is Chairman of the Board
and a director of Horsehead Resource Development Co., Inc., Horsehead
Industries, Inc., Great Lakes Labor Corporation, and Zina Corporation of
America.
DONALD R. KAYSER NOMINEE FOR TERM EXPIRING 1999
Donald R. Kayser, age 65, served as interim Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of L-P from July 28, 1995, to January 2, 1996. At present, he serves as
a consultant to L-P, a position expected to continue through April 1996. Mr.
Kayser retired from his position as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer of Morrison Knudsen Corporation in 1990. He was Senior Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer of Allied Signal Inc., until July 1988. Mr. Kayser
was an executive officer of L-P until 1982 and has been a director of L-P since
1972. Mr. Kayser is also a director of Guy F. Atkinson Company of California.
YOUR SHARES REPRESENTED BY A PROPERLY COMPLETED AND RETURNED PROXY CARD WILL
BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE THREE NOMINEES UNLESS AUTHORITY TO VOTE IS
WITHHELD. If any of the nominees becomes unavailable to serve (which is not
anticipated), your proxy will be voted for a substitute nominee designated by
the Board of Directors.
The three nominees receiving the highest total number of votes will be
elected. Shares not voted for the election of directors, whether because
authority to vote is withheld, because the record holder failed to return a
proxy, because the broker holding the shares did not vote on such issue or
otherwise, will not count in determining the total number of votes for each
nominee.
CONTINUING DIRECTORS
The other current members of the Board of Directors, whose terms of office
will continue beyond the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, are:
BONNIE GUITON HILL CURRENT TERM EXPIRES 1997
Bonnie Guiton Hill, age 54, has been a director of L-P since 1993. Ms. Hill
has been Dean of the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia
since July 1992. From February 1991 to July 1992, she was Secretary of the
California State and Consumer Services Agency. From September 1990 to February
1991, Ms. Hill was President of Earth Conservation Corp., a nonprofit
organization. From April 1989 to September 1990, she was Director of the United
States Office of Consumer Affairs and Special Advisor to the President for
Consumer Affairs. Prior to that time, she served as Assistant Secretary for
Vocational and Adult Education in the United States Department of Education. Ms.
Hill is also a director of AK Steel Corporation, Crestar Financial Services,
Hershey Foods Corporation, and Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation.
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FRANCINE I. NEFF CURRENT TERM EXPIRES 1997
Francine I. Neff, age 70, has served as a director of L-P since 1984. She is
Vice President of Nets, Inc., a private investment corporation. Mrs. Neff is
also a director of Hershey Foods Corporation and D.R. Horton, Inc. and serves on
the advisory board of E-Systems, Inc. She was formerly Treasurer of the United
States and National Director of the U.S. Savings Bonds Division.
LEE C. SIMPSON CURRENT TERM EXPIRES 1998
Lee C. Simpson, age 61, became President and Chief Operating Officer of L-P
on an interim basis (a position he held until March 1996) and was elected to
fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors in July 1995. He was previously an
executive officer of L-P from 1972 until his retirement in 1991, and he served
as a director of L-P from 1972 until 1993. Mr. Simpson's son, Robert M. Simpson,
became general manager of L-P's Western Division in 1992, a position he held
until January 1996.
MARK A. SUWYN CURRENT TERM EXPIRES 1997
Mark A. Suwyn, age 53, became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of L-P,
and was elected to fill a vacancy on its Board of Directors effective January 2,
1996. Mr. Suwyn was Executive Vice President of International Paper Company from
1992 through 1995. Previously, he was Senior Vice President of E.I. du Pont de
Nemours & Co.
CHARLES E. YEAGER CURRENT TERM EXPIRES 1998
Charles E. Yeager, age 73, is a retired Brigadier General, United States Air
Force. Gen. Yeager has been a director of L-P since 1984.
BOARD AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS
During 1995, the Board of Directors held four regular quarterly meetings and
eleven special meetings, seven of which were telephone conference meetings. Each
director attended at least 75 percent of the total number of the meetings of the
board and the meetings held by all committees of the board on which he or she
served during 1995.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee presently consisting of Mrs.
Neff, Chairman, Gov. du Pont, Ms. Hill, Mr. Kayser, and Gen. Yeager. During
1995, the Audit Committee held two meetings, one of which was a telephone
conference meeting. The Audit Committee reviews and reports to the board with
respect to various auditing and accounting matters, including the selection of
independent public accountants for L-P, the scope of audit procedures, the
services to be performed by and the fees to be paid to L-P's independent public
accountants, the performance of such accountants and of L-P's internal auditors,
and the accounting practices of L-P.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE -- INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Board of Directors has a Compensation Committee consisting of the
following directors: Gov. du Pont, Chairman, Ms. Hill, Mr. Kayser, Mrs. Neff,
and Gen. Yeager. Mr. Kayser was an executive officer of L-P until 1982 and for a
portion of 1995 during which time he was not a member of the Compensation
Committee.
The Compensation Committee held three meetings during 1995, one of which was
a telephone conference meeting. The Compensation Committee's functions are to
make awards under and to administer L-P's Key Employee Restricted Stock Plan, to
administer L-P's 1984 and 1991 Employee Stock Option Plans with respect to the
participation of employees who are officers or directors of L-P, including the
granting of stock options to those employees, and to consider and make
recommendations to the board regarding all other forms of compensation for L-P's
executive officers, including salaries and bonuses.
During 1995, L-P paid $309,870 to the law firm of Richards, Layton & Finger
(in which Gov. du Pont is a partner) for legal services, including an advance of
legal expenses incurred by the individual directors
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of L-P (other than Messrs. Suwyn and Simpson), who were named as defendants in
derivative lawsuits filed by stockholders of L-P. The lawsuits seek damages for
alleged mismanagement and breach of fiduciary duties related to various other
legal proceedings now pending against L-P.
Information concerning executive compensation is set forth below under the
caption "Executive Compensation."
ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
The Board of Directors has an Environmental Affairs Committee, consisting of
Ms. Hill, Chairman, Gov. du Pont, Mr. Kayser, Mrs. Neff, and Gen. Yeager. The
Environmental Affairs Committee, which met four times during 1995, is
responsible for reviewing the effectiveness of L-P's environmental compliance
program.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE; NOMINATIONS FOR DIRECTOR
The Board of Directors has a Nominating Committee consisting of members Gen.
Yeager, Chairman, Gov. du Pont, Ms. Hill, Mr. Kayser, Mr. Suwyn, and Mrs. Neff.
During 1995, the Nominating Committee held one meeting. The Nominating Committee
is authorized to establish procedures for selecting and evaluating potential
nominees for director and to recommend to the Board of Directors criteria for
membership on the Board of Directors, policies on the size and composition of
the board, candidates for director, and the composition of board committees. It
will consider stockholders' recommendations concerning nominees for director.
Any such recommendation, including the name and qualifications of a nominee, may
be submitted to L-P to the attention of the Chairman of the Nominating
Committee.
L-P's bylaws provide that nominations for election to the Board of Directors
may be made by the board or by any stockholder entitled to vote for the election
of directors. Notice of a stockholder's intent to make such a nomination must be
given in writing, by personal delivery or certified mail, postage prepaid, to
the Chairman of the corporation and must include the name and address of the
stockholder and each proposed nominee, a representation that the stockholder is
a record holder of Common Stock and intends to appear in person or by proxy at
the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice, a
description of any arrangements or understandings pursuant to which the
nominations are to be made, the consent of each proposed nominee to serve as a
director if elected, and such other information regarding each nominee as would
be required to be included in L-P's proxy statement had the person been
nominated by the Board of Directors. With respect to an election to be held at
an annual meeting of stockholders, such notice must be given at least 60 days in
advance of the meeting or, if the meeting is held on a date other than the first
Friday in May, within 10 days after the first public disclosure of the meeting
date.
ITEM 2 -- APPROVAL OF PERFORMANCE GOALS UNDER BONUS PLAN
Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code"), certain
performance-based compensation which is approved by stockholders is not subject
to the $1 million limit on deductibility applicable to certain other
compensation. As described under "Executive Compensation -- Agreements with
Executive Officers," the employment agreement entered into between L-P and Mark
A. Suwyn provides that Mr. Suwyn will be eligible to receive a cash performance
bonus for 1996 and subsequent years. The Compensation Committee has adopted,
subject to stockholder approval of performance goals, a performance-based
incentive bonus plan under which the amount of bonus paid to Mr. Suwyn will
depend upon the extent to which certain performance goals are met.
Performance goals will be in two general categories -- strategic performance
goals and financial performance goals. The business criteria on which strategic
performance goals are based may include goals related to success in developing
and implementing strategic plans, management plans or systems (such as quality
management plans, budgeting systems, or other internal controls), success in
filling board or executive positions or reorganizing reporting relationships, or
success in resolving legal proceedings. The business criteria on which financial
performance goals will be based may include the degree to which L-P achieves one
or more measures related to earnings, profitability, efficiency, or return
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to stockholders. Such measures may be based on earnings, earnings per share, and
operating profit, stock price, costs of production or overhead, or other
measures (for L-P as a whole or for various divisions or units of L-P) expressed
as absolute amounts or as ratios or percentages of other amounts. Success may be
measured against various standards, including budget targets, improvement over
prior years, and performance relative to other companies.
The specific performance targets and the formulas used to calculate the
amount of bonus will be determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors within the first 90 days of the period for which a bonus is to be
paid. At present, it is anticipated that performance goals and formulas will be
established annually.
Because the bonuses are payable pursuant to Mr. Suwyn's employment
agreement, he is the only person eligible to receive a bonus under the plan. In
March 1996, the Compensation Committee approved a bonus award, subject to
stockholder approval, for Mr. Suwyn pursuant to which he will receive a bonus of
$400,000 if goals related to election of new non-employee directors and
executive officers and approval of a new strategic plan for L-P are met; in
addition, Mr. Suwyn may receive up to an additional $100,000 if goals related to
resolution of legal proceedings, implementation of quality management plans, and
profitability are satisfied. Bonuses in subsequent years will be at least equal
to 70 percent of his base salary. In no event will the performance bonus under
the plan for any year exceed $1 million. Higher or lower bonuses may be paid
upon achievement of specified greater or lesser goals than the targeted goals or
upon attainment of a greater or lesser number of goals at targeted levels.
In order to have the benefit of a federal income tax deduction for amounts
which may be paid to Mr. Suwyn, the Board of Directors of L-P is asking
stockholders to approve the terms of the performance goals as outlined above,
which will be used by the Compensation Committee as a basis for specific bonus
awards. In the event stockholders do not approve the terms of the performance
goals, the plan would not be implemented, and the Compensation Committee would
consider other methods of providing appropriate compensation to Mr. Suwyn, but
he would not be entitled to an automatic bonus.
Approval of the terms of the performance goals under the performance-based
incentive bonus plan will require the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority of the shares of Common Stock present, in person or by proxy, and
entitled to vote on such approval. Shares of Common Stock for which a proxy is
returned but which are not voted for approval of the performance goals (by
voting against the proposal, by abstaining, or because a broker or nominee
holding the shares did not vote on such issue) will all have the effect of
voting against the proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF
APPROVAL OF THE TERMS OF THE PERFORMANCE GOALS UNDER THE PLAN.
ITEM 3 -- APPROVAL OF 1996 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
BACKGROUND
On March 20, 1996, the Board of Directors adopted, subject to stockholder
approval, the Louisiana-Pacific Corporation 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(the "Purchase Plan"), covering a maximum of 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock.
The Purchase Plan allows all employees of L-P and certain of its subsidiaries
the opportunity to subscribe for shares of Common Stock on an installment basis
through payroll deductions. Approximately 13,000 employees are eligible to
participate in the Purchase Plan. L-P has offered similar plans to its employees
for many years.
The Purchase Plan provides for two separate offering and purchase periods.
It is anticipated that 750,000 shares will be offered for subscription during
each offering period. The first offering period will commence on September 1,
1996, and end on September 30, 1996. The first purchase period (the period
during which payroll deductions are made to pay for the shares subscribed for
during the first offering period) will end September 30, 1998. The second
offering period will commence on September 1, 1997, and will end on September
30, 1997. The second purchase period will end September 30, 1999.
5
TERMS OF THE PURCHASE PLAN
The subscription price per share for each purchase period is the lesser of
(i) 85 percent of the mean between the high and low sale prices for shares of
Common Stock reported on the New York Stock Exchange -- Composite Transactions
on the day before the offering period commences and (ii) the mean between the
high and low sale prices so reported on the date the purchase period ends, or on
any earlier date of purchase provided for in the Purchase Plan. The mean between
the high and low sale prices for Common Stock reported on the New York Stock
Exchange -- Composite Transactions on March 14, 1996, was $24.50 per share.
The number of shares that may be subscribed in each offering period is
limited in relation to the monthly compensation of each employee, up to a
maximum equal to the number of shares which can be purchased with $21,240. The
number of shares subscribed and the purchase price per share is subject to
adjustment in the event of future stock dividends, stock splits or certain other
capital adjustments.
An employee may terminate a subscription at any time before the full
purchase price for the subscribed shares has been paid and be refunded the full
amount withheld, plus interest, at the rate of 6 1/4 percent per annum. An
employee may also reduce the number of subscribed shares and (i) receive a
refund of the amount withheld which is in excess of the amount which would have
been withheld if his subscription had been for the reduced number of shares,
plus interest on the refund at the rate of 6 1/4 percent per annum or (ii) have
the excess applied to reduce the amount of future installments of the purchase
price.
An employee whose employment is terminated for any reason other than
retirement, disability, or death (or the personal representative of an employee
who dies after such termination) may, at his election, be refunded the full
amount withheld, plus interest, at the rate of 6 1/4 percent per annum, or
receive the whole number of shares which could be purchased at the purchase
price with such amount, together with a cash refund of any balance. An employee
who retires or is permanently disabled (or the personal representative of an
employee who dies while employed, retired, or disabled) at any time before the
full purchase price of the subscribed shares has been paid has the rights
described above and, in addition, may prepay the entire unpaid balance for the
subscribed shares and receive such shares. Any such election must be made within
three months following any termination of employment and prior to the end of the
respective purchase period.
A copy of the Purchase Plan is attached as Exhibit A and is incorporated
herein by reference.
U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX ASPECTS
For purposes of U.S. federal income taxation, an employee who is
continuously employed by L-P or a subsidiary during the period beginning on the
offering date and ending three months before the date on which the amount of his
payments is no longer subject to withdrawal, and who makes no disposition of the
shares within one year after the date of transfer of the shares to him or within
two years after the offering date, will not receive any taxable income upon his
subscription or when he completes payment for or receives delivery of the
shares. Under these circumstances, there will be no tax effect to L-P (it will
not be entitled to any deduction from income by reason of the employee's
subscription or purchase). Any gain which may be recognized by the employee on
the ultimate disposition of the shares will be treated as ordinary income in an
amount equal to the lesser of (i) the amount of the gain or (ii) the difference
between the maximum purchase price and the market price of Common Stock on the
day preceding commencement of the offering. Gain in excess of such amount or any
loss on disposition will be treated as capital gain or loss.
An earlier disposition of the shares will result in any excess of the fair
market value of the shares at the time of purchase over the purchase price being
treated as compensation taxable to the employee at ordinary income tax rates in
the year in which the disposition occurs, in which event L-P will be entitled to
a corresponding deduction from income.
6
STOCKHOLDER APPROVAL
In order to meet federal income tax requirements, the Purchase Plan must be
approved by stockholders within 12 months after the date of its adoption by the
Board of Directors. Approval of the Purchase Plan will require the affirmative
vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock present, in
person or by proxy, and entitled to vote on such approval at a meeting of
stockholders. Shares of Common Stock for which a proxy is returned but which are
not voted for approval of the Purchase Plan (by voting against the Purchase
Plan, by abstaining, or because a broker or other nominee holding the shares did
not vote on such issue) will all have the effect of voting against the Purchase
Plan.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE
PURCHASE PLAN.
ITEM 4 -- APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT OF
INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
The Board of Directors has appointed Arthur Andersen LLP, independent public
accountants, to examine the financial statements of L-P for 1996. Although the
selection and appointment of independent public accountants is not required to
be submitted to a vote of the stockholders, the board has decided to ask the
stockholders to approve the appointment. If the stockholders do not approve such
appointment, the board will reconsider the appointment.
L-P expects representatives of Arthur Andersen LLP to be present at the
annual meeting and to be available to respond to appropriate questions from
stockholders. The accountants will have the opportunity to make a statement at
the annual meeting if they desire to do so.
Approval of the appointment of the accountants will require the affirmative
vote of a majority of the total votes cast on this issue at the meeting. Shares
that are not represented at the meeting, shares that abstain from voting on this
issue, and shares not voted on this issue by brokers or nominees will not be
counted as voted for purposes of computing a majority.
ITEM 5 -- STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL
CONCERNING DECLASSIFICATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The following proposal, NOT recommended by management, has been submitted
for inclusion in the proxy statement and action at the annual meeting by the
Amalgamated Bank of New York, LongView Collective Investment Fund, 11-15 Union
Square, New York, New York 10003:
"RESOLVED: The stockholders of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation request that
the Board of Directors take the necessary steps in accordance with Delaware
state law to declassify the Board of Directors so that all directors are elected
annually, such declassification to be effected in a manner that does not affect
the unexpired terms of directors previously elected."
SUPPORTING STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY STOCKHOLDER
"The election of directors is the primary avenue for stockholders to
influence corporate governance policies and to hold management accountable for
its implementation of those policies. We believe that the classification of the
Board of Directors, which results in only a portion of the Board being elected
annually, is not in the best interests of our Company and its stockholders.
"The Board of Directors of Louisiana-Pacific is divided into three classes
serving staggered, three-year terms. We believe that the Company's classified
Board of Directors maintains the incumbency of the current Board, and therefore
of current management, which in turn limits the Board's accountability to
stockholders.
"The elimination of Louisiana-Pacific's classified Board would require each
director to stand for election annually and allow stockholders an opportunity to
register their views on the performance of the Board collectively and each
director individually. We believe this is one of the best methods available to
stockholders to ensure that the company will be managed in a manner that is in
the best interest of stockholders.
7
"Over 38% of the stockholders voted for this proposal last year. We believe
that concerns expressed by companies with classified boards that the annual
election of all directors could leave companies without experienced directors in
the event that all incumbents are voted out by stockholders are unfounded. In
our view, in the unlikely event that stockholders vote to replace all directors,
this decision would express stockholder dissatisfaction with the incumbent
directors and reflect the need for change.
"WE URGE YOU TO VOTE FOR THIS RESOLUTION!"
RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL 5
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THIS STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL.
The Board of Directors plays an important role in overseeing the direction
of L-P. With a company as diverse as L-P, it takes time to become acquainted
with the various elements of its businesses. A classified Board of Directors
will ordinarily result in approximately two-thirds of the directors having at
least one year of experience as a director of L-P. The board believes this
experience and continuity is critical to ensure that stockholders have
knowledgeable oversight provided by their elected directors.
At the same time, a classified Board of Directors does not hinder
stockholders from voting for or against directors when they are up for
reelection. In fact, no nominee has received less than 95 percent of the votes
cast in the election of directors in the last five years. Since the vast
majority of stockholders have consistently voiced their support of the nominees,
there is little reason for stockholders to vote more frequently for each
director.
A virtually identical proposal was voted down by the stockholders at last
year's annual meeting. This suggests that a majority of L-P's stockholders
support the benefits which result from having a classified Board of Directors.
FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST
THE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL IN ITEM 5.
Approval of this stockholder proposal will require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the total votes cast on this item at the meeting. Shares that are
not represented at the meeting, shares that abstain from voting on this item,
and shares not voted on this item by brokers or nominees will not be counted for
purposes of computing a majority.
ITEM 6 -- STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL
CONCERNING DIRECTOR LIABILITY
The following proposal, NOT recommended by management, has been submitted
for inclusion in the proxy statement and action at the annual meeting by the
National Automatic Sprinkler Industry Pension Fund, 8000 Corporate Drive,
Landover, Maryland 20785:
"RESOLVED: The shareholders of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation ("Company")
urge the Board of Directors to take such action as is necessary to provide for
director liability for acts or omissions that constitute a breach of fiduciary
duty of care resulting from a director's gross negligence and/or reckless
neglect."
SUPPORTING STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY STOCKHOLDER
"As a result of litigation recently filed against the Company, the Company
has been exposed to huge potential liabilities. The Company must defend itself
against at least six shareholder lawsuits alleging securities fraud, numerous
product liability lawsuits and a June 15, 1995 federal criminal indictment
against Louisiana-Pacific and two of its employees on 56 counts, including mail
and wire fraud. The indictment relates to alleged falsification of air emissions
information and the conveyance of "non-representative" product samples to the
American Plywood Association.
8
"Environmental penalties and product liability claims may cost our Company
and its shareholders hundreds of millions of dollars, including a recent product
liability settlement. Continuing legal challenges raise the likelihood of
further financial losses for Company shareholders. The financial impact from
lost consumer confidence is incalculable.
"In determining the root cause of these problems, the performance of the
Board of Directors must be scrutinized, for it is the responsibility of that
body to direct and monitor the conduct of our Company's management. The goal of
this proposal is to strengthen the oversight function of the Board of Directors.
Our Company's Articles of Incorporation currently contain a provision exempting
corporate directors from any personal liability for monetary damages resulting
from a breach of fiduciary duty of care. As a result, a director or an entire
board can commit acts of gross negligence and/or reckless neglect without
incurring any personal liability. We strongly believe that raising the standard
of care for directors will improve the long-term shareholder value by producing
a more diligent Board of Directors.
"Proponents of exempting directors from personal liability for breaches of
duty of care claim that without such an exemption, it would be difficult to
convince qualified persons to serve on corporate boards. We question the
competency of directors who lack confidence in their abilities to avoid
committing acts or omissions that constitute gross negligence and/or reckless
neglect. We believe the appropriate balance between the need to attract
qualified directors and the need to have a board that diligently performs its
oversight function is to continue the exemption of liability for simple
negligence, but remove the exemption from gross negligence and/or reckless
neglect.
"The law does NOT equate bad business judgment with negligence. Negligence
only occurs if actions fail the test of prudence or responsibility. Thus, the
courts do not second guess individual decisions. Rather the analysis is on the
prudence of the decision making process undertaken. We strongly believe that
holding directors personally liable for gross negligence and/or reckless neglect
will be a powerful tool in restoring public, investor and customer confidence in
our Company."
RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL 6
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THIS STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL.
The present provisions of L-P's Certificate of Incorporation limiting
directors' personal liability were approved by the affirmative vote of more than
97 percent of the stockholders voting at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held
in 1987. At that time, the board stated that the primary purpose for the
provision "is to assure L-P's continued ability to attract and retain
individuals of the highest quality and ability to serve as directors." The board
also stated that effective corporate governance is hampered when directors are
subject to the risk of lawsuits "second-guessing" the prudence of the directors'
business judgments made in good faith. Also, the board stated its belief that
"the diligence and care exercised by directors stem primarily from their desire
to act in the best interests of L-P and its stockholders and not from a fear of
monetary damage awards." The board believes that these reasons are equally
applicable today.
The frequency with which litigation is brought against corporate directors,
the considerable expense involved in defending any lawsuit (including a lawsuit
without merit), and the inherent uncertainties with respect to the outcome of
any litigation, all combine to make the question of personal liability a very
real concern for corporate directors. The board believes that stockholders are
better served by a Board of Directors who are free to exercise their business
judgment than by a Board of Directors whose principal concern is their own
personal liability. The provisions of L-P's Certificate of Incorporation do not
permit the elimination or limitation of liability of directors for breaches of
the duty of loyalty to the corporation (for example, liability for impermissible
self-dealing).
The fact that L-P is currently facing a number of serious lawsuits does not
diminish the validity of these reasons for providing directors with protection
against personal liability. The unimpeded judgment of directors is critical to
dealing with complex litigation.
FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST
THE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL IN ITEM 6.
9
Approval of this stockholder proposal will require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the total votes cast on this item at the meeting. Shares that are
not represented at the meeting, shares that abstain from voting on this item,
and shares not voted on this item by brokers or nominees will not be counted for
purposes of computing a majority.
ITEM 7 -- STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL
CONCERNING COMPENSATION AND WORKPLACE PRACTICES
The following for proposal, NOT recommended by management, has been
submitted for inclusion in the proxy statement for action at the annual meeting
by Vincent N. Icardo, Post Office Box 135, Tuolumne, California 95379:
"RESOLVED: The shareholders of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation ("Company")
urge the Board of Directors of the Company to adopt executive compensation
policies that emphasize and reward executives for creating a "high performance
workplace" that places a priority on achieving continuous improvement in
productivity, quality and service through employee involvement in
decision-making, employee compensation linked to performance, and a strong
commitment to training."
SUPPORTING STATEMENT SUBMITTED BY STOCKHOLDER
"In 1993, the U.S. Department of Labor completed an extensive study of
workplace practices that contributed to consistent, long-term gains in
competitiveness and firm value across several industries. The Department of
Labor's Office of the American Workplace reviewed available studies on the issue
and consistently found three factors -- employee involvement in decision making,
employee compensation linked to performance and a strong commitment to training
- -- contributed to long-term gains in productivity, quality and service, which in
turn led to increased competitiveness and rising shareholder value. In 1994, the
California Public Employee Retirement System ("CalPERS"), a $95 billion pension
fund and major institutional shareholder, began evaluating the extent to which
the companies in its investment portfolio have implemented these high
performance workplace practices. I believe investors are increasingly moving
away from emphasis on quarterly profits and toward a more sophisticated
evaluation of factor such as high performance workplace practices that are at
the core of a company's competitiveness.
"Harry Merlo, the long-time and now retired Chairman and CEO of
Louisiana-Pacific, has received tens of millions of dollars in executive
compensation. His legacy is a Company with a severely damaged reputation and
huge potential liabilities resulting from a torrent of product liability
lawsuits, securities fraud lawsuits, environmental fines and a 56 count criminal
indictment alleging managers falsified air emissions reports, falsified the
quality of product samples and committed mail and wire fraud. These suits
suggest executives have done a poor job of creating production and work systems
that result in high quality products and compliance with pollution discharge
laws. As a long-time Company shareholder, I believe these types of problems do
not simply arise in the ordinary course of business; they are deep, structural
flaws in the executive compensation system and the production and work system.
"I think executives and facility managers will only change their behavior
when they are motivated by concrete economic incentives. Accordingly, I believe
our Board would be furthering the interests of Louisiana-Pacific and its
shareholders if executive compensation policies were adopted that placed a
priority on achieving continuous improvement in productivity, quality and
service through employee involvement in decision-making, employee compensation
linked to performance, and a strong commitment to training.
"Shareholders need to be vigilant that CEO's are compensated at appropriate
levels for long-term performance and do not reap excessive rewards for cutting
costs by illegally polluting the environment and knowingly producing substandard
product. This proposal is a challenge to our Board of Directors and new CEO to
lead our Company out of its woes by taking decisive, concrete steps to change to
incentive system that lead to criminal indictments and huge potential legal
liabilities."
RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL 7
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST THE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL IN
ITEM 7.
10
In the case of this stockholder proposal, L-P and its Board of Directors
believe it is particularly important to inform stockholders that, as with all
stockholder proposals, the views expressed are those of the proponent and
neither L-P nor its Board of Directors takes any responsibility for the
statements of the proponent.
Although the proposal nominally relates to executive compensation practices,
the clear intent of the proposal is to cause changes in L-P's ordinary business
operations relating to product quality, employee involvement in decision making,
compensation of non-executive employees, and employee training, issues which the
board believes are better left to the discretion of management and the Board of
Directors, rather than stockholders.
The proposal is so vague and combines so many different thoughts into a
single proposal that the board believes it is impossible for stockholders to
understand how it would be implemented.
The proposal contains a number of statements that imply that certain
individuals have engaged in illegal activities and/or are responsible for the
commission of illegal acts by L-P. The board believes that these statements
improperly impugn character, integrity, and personal reputation and make charges
concerning improper conduct without factual foundation.
FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE AGAINST
THE STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL IN ITEM 7.
Approval of this stockholder proposal will require the affirmative vote of a
majority of the total votes cast on this item at the meeting. Shares that are
not represented at the meeting, shares that abstain from voting on this item,
and shares not voted on this item by brokers or nominees will not be counted for
purposes of computing a majority.
OTHER BUSINESS
At the time this proxy statement was printed, management knew of no matters
other than the items of business listed in the Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders which might be presented for stockholder action at the meeting. If
any matters other than such listed items properly come before the meeting, the
proxies named in the accompanying form of proxy will vote or refrain from voting
thereon in accordance with their judgment.
11
HOLDERS OF COMMON STOCK
The following table summarizes the beneficial ownership of Common Stock of
the directors, nominees, executive officers, and former executive officers of
L-P and of each person or group known to L-P to own beneficially more than 5
percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock:
COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED APPROXIMATE
AS OF MARCH 14, PERCENT OF
NAME 1996(1) CLASS
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------- ---------------
Pierre S. du Pont(4)........................................................ 20,000 --
James Eisses(3)............................................................. 129,241 0.1%
William E. Flaherty......................................................... -0- --
Stephen R. Grant............................................................ -0- --
Bonnie Guiton Hill(4)....................................................... 27,300 --
Donald R. Kayser(3,4)....................................................... 62,597 --
J. Keith Matheney(3,4)...................................................... 21,598 --
Harry A. Merlo(5)........................................................... 1,373,837 1.3%
Francine I. Neff(4)......................................................... 19,334 --
Ronald L. Paul.............................................................. -0- --
Lee C. Simpson(3)........................................................... 21,243 --
Robert M. Simpson(3)........................................................ 4,520 --
Mark A. Suwyn(6)............................................................ 153,000 0.1%
Charles E. Yeager(4)........................................................ 10,400 --
All current directors and executive officers
as a group (17 persons)(2,3,4)............................................. 571,186 0.5%
Louisiana-Pacific Hourly Employee
Stock Ownership Trust(2)................................................... 3,607,288 3.3%
Louisiana-Pacific Salaried Employee
Stock Ownership Trust(2)................................................... 2,117,184 2.0%
- ------------------------
(1) Shares are shown as beneficially owned if the person named in the table
has or shares the power to vote or direct the voting of, or the power to
dispose of, or direct the disposition of, such shares. Inclusion of shares
in the table does not necessarily mean that the persons named have any
economic beneficial interest in shares set forth opposite their respective
names.
(2) One of the trustees of the L-P Hourly and Salaried Employee Stock
Ownership Trusts (111 S.W. Fifth Avenue, Portland, Oregon 97204), is an
executive officer of L-P who, in such capacity, shares voting power with
respect to, and thus is considered to beneficially own, 5,724,472 shares
(5.3%) of the outstanding Common Stock held in such trusts, including 2,503
shares beneficially owned by officers of L-P. These represent shares held by
the trusts as to which the trustees together have sole voting power --
generally, shares which have not been allocated to individual employee
accounts.
(3) Includes shares held by the L-P Salaried Employee Stock Ownership Trust
and beneficially owned by the following officers: Mr. Eisses, 9,200 shares;
Mr. Kayser, 1,093 shares; Mr. Matheney, 6,014 shares, Mr. Lee C. Simpson,
1,093 shares; Mr. Robert M. Simpson, 4,320 shares; and all current executive
officers as a group, 56,988 shares
(4) Includes shares reserved for issuance under immediately exercisable
options and options which will become exercisable within 60 days after March
14, 1996, as follows: Gov. du Pont, 18,500 shares; Ms. Hill, 27,000 shares;
Mr. Kayser, 27,000 shares; Mr. Matheney, 10,800 shares; Mrs. Neff, 18,000
shares; Gen. Yeager, 9,000 shares; and all current executive officers as a
group, 123,800 shares.
(5) Includes 229,300 shares held by the Harry A. Merlo Foundation, Inc., of
which Mr. Merlo is a director.
(6) Includes 150,000 shares of unvested restricted stock which Mr. Suwyn has
the power to vote.
12
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following material summarizes L-P's executive compensation in the format
required by applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In
accordance with those regulations, the material under the captions "Compensation
Committee Report" and "Performance Graph" is not to be deemed "soliciting
material" or "filed."
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
To the stockholders of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation:
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors has overall
responsibility for compensation decisions affecting the company's senior
executive officer group and administers L-P's restricted stock plan and, with
respect to employees who are officers or directors of L-P, its stock option
plans. Decisions on salary and bonuses for divisional general managers are the
responsibility of the senior executive officers.
Periodically the Compensation Committee conducts a review of L-P's executive
compensation program. This review includes analyzing data comparing the
competitiveness of L-P's executive compensation with comparable corporations,
based on corporate performance, stock price appreciation over time, and total
return to stockholders over time. The comparable corporations include six
companies in the Standard and Poor's Paper and Forest Products Index (excluding
those which are primarily paper companies) plus one other forest products
company similar in size to L-P. There is no fixed policy governing the
relationship of L-P's compensation practices to the other comparable
corporations.
The Compensation Committee believes that corporate performance includes, in
addition to stock market and financial performance, such factors as the quality
of L-P's products and services; providing innovative, environmentally-friendly,
and affordable building products to homebuilders; monitoring and improving L-P's
environmental performance; and maintaining equitable opportunity for L-P's
employees. The Compensation Committee, therefore, also takes these factors into
account in making compensation decisions. Although return on equity and return
to stockholders are generally given significant attention, there is no
particular ranking or weighting given to the various elements of corporate
performance. The Compensation Committee also bases compensation decisions on
individual performance as well as corporate results.
The Compensation Committee also realizes that corporations need to be
competitive in compensation in order to attract and retain qualified executives.
To the extent consistent with its goal of maintaining a fair and competitive
compensation package, the Compensation Committee attempts to structure L-P's
executive compensation to be deductible for income tax purposes by complying
with applicable tax requirements, including limits on deductibility of certain
types of compensation. An example is this year's submission for approval by the
stockholders of performance goals for certain executive bonuses. The
Compensation Committee also recognizes that, in some cases, elements of
compensation for senior executives may not be deductible.
A principal aim of L-P's compensation policy is to connect the interests of
its executives with corporate performance and increases in stockholder value
over time. Two vehicles which have been used in prior years to meet these
objectives are (i) stock options, the value of which is tied to the price
performance of L-P Common Stock, and (ii) restricted stock performance awards,
under which the ultimate issuance of stock to the executives is contingent upon
attainment of specified annual return on equity goals. In addition, the
provision of retirement benefits through an employee stock ownership trust
("ESOT"), including deferred compensation in lieu of ESOT contributions, rather
than a defined benefit pension plan ties the retirement income of executives
closely to the long-term performance of L-P Common Stock.
During 1995, significant changes occurred in L-P's executive management.
L-P's three top executive officers submitted their resignations in July 1995,
and two former executive officers of L-P were asked to
13
fill the positions of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President and
Chief Operating Officer on an interim basis. Decisions on executive compensation
in 1995 were largely focused on the issues raised by these changes in personnel.
In late 1994, the Compensation Committee determined to leave 1995 base
salary levels for L-P's chief executive officer and other two most senior
executive officers unchanged from 1994 levels. This decision was based on the
substantial increases approved in executive base salaries for 1994 despite the
Compensation Committee's recognition that L-P's base salaries for executives
remained below the median salary and bonuses of comparable executives of the
comparable forest products companies referred to above. The Compensation
Committee made no grants of stock options or restricted stock performance awards
to executive officers during 1995.
The principal terms of severance arrangements with the three top executive
officers who resigned in late July 1995 were approved by the Board of Directors
at its meeting at which such resignations were accepted, following negotiations
of such terms with such executives and their counsel. See "Agreements with
Executive Officers" below. Donald R. Kayser and Lee C. Simpson were elected as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President and Chief Operating Officer,
respectively, at the same board meeting. The principal terms of their employment
agreements, particularly their base salaries and phantom share awards, were
approved by the Compensation Committee shortly thereafter. Their base salary
levels were established by negotiation and in recognition of their interim
status and relative levels of responsibility and their willingness to come out
of retirement at a time the corporation needed leadership, while the phantom
share awards were intended to serve as an incentive to continue L-P's focus on
enhancing value to its stockholders. The terms of an employment agreement with
an executive officer hired in August 1995 as Senior Vice President -- Compliance
were established based on negotiations recognizing the corporation's need for
additional expertise in dealing with complex litigation and compliance matters.
In early January 1996, the Compensation Committee considered and approved
the principal terms of an employment agreement with Mark A. Suwyn, selected to
serve as L-P's new permanent Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The elements
of the compensation package negotiated with Mr. Suwyn were intended largely to
be competitive with compensation of comparable chief executive officers, to
maintain the level of certain benefits to which he expected to be entitled if he
remained with his prior employer, and to serve as an incentive for future
performance with L-P. Among Mr. Suwyn's responsibilities during the 1996 year
will be the preparation for the Compensation Committee's consideration of a new
long-term performance related compensation plan as a complement to a new
strategic plan and long-term objectives for the company being developed for
approval by the Board of Directors.
Respectfully submitted,
Pierre S. du Pont, Chairman
Bonnie Guiton Hill
Donald R. Kayser
Francine I. Neff
Charles E. Yeager
14
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph is required to be included in this proxy statement under
applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The graph compares
the total cumulative return to investors, including dividends paid (assuming
reinvestment of dividends) and appreciation or depreciation in stock price, from
an investment in L-P Common Stock for the period January 1, 1991, through
December 31, 1995, to the total cumulative return to investors from the Standard
& Poor's 500 Stock Index and the Standard & Poor's Paper and Forest Products
Index for the same period. Stockholders are cautioned that the graph shows the
returns to investors only as of the dates noted and may not be representative of
the returns for any other past or future period.
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
LOUISIANA PAC CORPORATION S & P 500 S & P PAPER & FOREST PRODUCTS
12/90 100 100 100
12/91 167 130 127
12/92 343 140 145
12/93 479 155 160
12/94 321 157 167
12/95 292 215 183
15
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table should be reviewed in light of the significant changes
in L-P's executive management which occurred during 1995. On July 28, 1995,
Messrs. Merlo, Eisses, and Paul submitted their resignations as officers and
directors of L-P, and Donald R. Kayser and Lee C. Simpson were elected on an
interim basis as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and President and Chief
Operating Officer, respectively. Both Messrs. Kayser and Simpson had previously
been executive officers of L-P. In January 1996, Mark A. Suwyn was elected to
replace Mr. Kayser as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer following a
nationwide executive search.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG TERM COMPENSATION
-------------------------
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS PAYOUTS
--------------------------- ---------- -------------
OTHER NUMBER OF LONG TERM ALL
ANNUAL SECURITIES INCENTIVE OTHER
NAME AND COMPEN- UNDERLYING PLAN COMPEN-
PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS SATION(1) SARS(2) PAYOUTS(3) SATION(4)
---------------------------- ---- -------- -------- ------- ---------- ------------- ----------
Donald R. Kayser(5)......... 1995 $254,615 50,000 $ 65,461
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
(CEO)
Harry A. Merlo(5)........... 1995 $554,167 $172,812 $4,156,724
Chairman and President (CEO) 1994 $825,000 $85,696 $ 4,256,250 $ 169,842
1993 $650,000 $94,669 $ 11,306,250 $ 152,342
James Eisses(5)............. 1995 $233,333 $1,201,461
Executive Vice President 1994 $389,583 $ 1,064,063 $ 63,686
1993 $375,000 $ 2,826,563 $ 62,228
Stephen R. Grant(5)......... 1995 $156,250 30,000
Senior Vice
President-Compliance
J. Keith Matheney(6)........ 1995 $125,000 $ 10,970 $ 15,787
General Manager, WeatherSeal 1994 $118,336 $ 57,382 $ 12,056
Division 1993 $105,000 $ 48,796 $ 240,750 $ 10,500
Ronald L. Paul(5)........... 1995 $175,000 $ 678,533
Vice President, Operations 1994 $258,333 $ 851,250 $ 27,321
1993 $200,000 $ 2,261,250 $ 21,483
Lee C. Simpson(5)........... 1995 $229,154 45,000 $ 22,915
President and Chief
Operating Officer
Robert M. Simpson(6)........ 1995 $158,613 $ 15,861
General Manager, Western 1994 $150,000 $ 425,625 $ 15,000
Division 1993 $150,000 $ 1,089,375 $ 16,111
- ------------------------
(1) The amounts shown as Other Annual Compensation include the estimated
incremental cost to L-P of personal benefits provided to each executive
officer for whom the aggregate cost exceeds the lesser of $50,000 or 10
percent of his annual salary and bonus. The amount shown for Mr. Merlo in
1995 includes $136,426 as the estimated portion of operating costs
attributable to Mr. Merlo's personal use of the furnished residence rented
to him as described under "Management Transactions." Other Annual
Compensation does not include any amounts attributable to purchases of
Common Stock pursuant to L-P's employee stock purchase plans, as all
employees are eligible to participate in those plans.
(2) Amounts shown represent the number of phantom shares awarded pursuant to
employment agreements with Messrs. Kayser, Grant, and Simpson. See
"Agreements with Executive Officers" below. One-half of the phantom shares
represent the right to receive a payment in cash on August 1, 1996 (or, if
earlier, the date on which the recipient ceases to be employed by L-P in the
position specified in his
16
employment agreement) and the balance on August 1, 1997, in each case, equal
to the excess, if any, of the market value of the Common Stock at the time
(based on a 20 trading day average) over $24.625, which was the market price
of the Common Stock on July 31, 1995.
(3) Amounts shown represent the value (at date of issuance) of shares issued
under previously granted restricted stock awards based upon L-P's attainment
of performance goals in the years shown. At December 31, 1995, the number of
restricted stock performance awards, and the value thereof at such date
assuming all shares were vested, held by the executives subject to the
future satisfaction of performance criteria were as follows: J. Keith
Matheney, 15,000 shares, $363,750.
(4) Amounts shown include (i) the annual contribution to L-P's funded employee
stock ownership trust ("ESOT") as follows: Mr. Kayser, $15,000; Mr.
Matheney, $14,248; Mr. Lee C. Simpson, $15,000; and Mr. Robert M. Simpson,
$15,000; (ii) deferred compensation in connection with L-P's unfunded
defined contribution plan for amounts in excess of the maximum permitted
ESOT contribution (amounts contributed with respect to L-P's ESOT and
unfunded defined contribution plan together equal 10 percent of salary and
bonus) as follows: Mr. Kayser, $10,461; Mr. Lee C. Simpson, $7,915; and Mr.
Robert M. Simpson, $861; (iii) premiums for life insurance in excess of
group life insurance provided to salaried employees generally, as follows:
Mr. Merlo, $18,979; Mr. Eisses, $3,386; Mr. Matheney, $1,539; and Mr. Paul,
$936; (iv) amounts paid, payable or accrued pursuant to arrangements in
connection with the resignations of Messrs. Merlo, Eisses and Paul in 1995
of $4,137,745, $1,198,075, and $677,597, respectively (see "Agreements with
Executive Officers"); and (v) directors fees paid to Mr. Kayser in the
amount of $40,000.
(5) Messrs. Merlo, Eisses and Paul served in the indicated positions until
their resignations on July 28, 1995. Donald R. Kayser and Lee C. Simpson
were employed by L-P beginning July 28, 1995. Stephen R. Grant was employed
by L-P beginning August 1, 1995.
(6) In January 1996, Mr. Robert M. Simpson resigned and was replaced as
General Manager, Western Division, by Mr. Matheney.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION/SAR VALUES
SHARES NUMBER OF SECURITIES
ACQUIRED UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
ON OPTIONS/SARS AT DECEMBER 31, IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARS AT
EXERCISE 1995 DECEMBER 31, 1995
DURING VALUE ---------------------------- ------------------------------
NAME 1995 REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
- -------------------------------------- --------- ----------- ------------ -------------- -------------- --------------
Donald R. Kayser...................... -- -- 27,000 68,000 $ 152,820 $ 105,120
Harry A. Merlo........................ 840,000 $12,724,800 -- -- -- --
James Eisses.......................... 90,000 $ 1,291,500 -- -- -- --
Stephen R. Grant...................... -- -- -- 30,000 -- --
J. Keith Matheney..................... -- -- 7,200 3,600 $ 97,344 $ 48,672
Ronald L. Paul........................ 18,000 $ 261,360 -- -- -- --
Lee C. Simpson........................ -- -- -- 45,000 -- --
Robert M. Simpson..................... -- -- 12,000 24,000 $ 54,760 $ 113,520
17
MANAGEMENT TRANSACTIONS
During 1995, L-P leased to Mr. Merlo a furnished residence in Portland,
Oregon, which was used for numerous corporate and business functions. The rent
during 1995 was $3,270 per month, based upon an independent appraisal of the
reasonable rental value performed in 1994. During 1995, L-P incurred
noncapitalized costs of maintaining, improving, operating, and insuring the
property and real property taxes assessed with respect to the property totaling
approximately $243,000, including depreciation. Mr. Merlo exercised his option
to purchase the property for L-P's book value of approximately $895,000 on
January 1, 1996.
During 1995, L-P placed orders to purchase shares of L-P Common Stock as
treasury stock and for other securities transactions with PaineWebber
Incorporated through its account officer, Franklin V. Merlo, the brother of
Harry A. Merlo. Total commissions on the transactions were approximately
$262,740, which were based on the same rates as L-P pays to other unrelated
brokerage firms.
See "Item 1 -- Election of Directors; Compensation Committee -- Interlocks
and Insider Participation" for a description of an additional transaction. See
also "Agreements with Executive Officers."
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Each director of L-P who is not an employee of L-P (except for Mr. Kayser
for so long as he is providing consulting services to L-P) receives for all
services as a director fees at the rate of $20,000 per year, plus $1,750 for
each board meeting attended, $1,000 for each committee meeting attended ($1,250
for committee chairpersons) and, for participation in each telephone conference
meeting, $750 for a board meeting and $500 for a committee meeting ($750 for
committee chairpersons).
The Board of Directors has adopted an unfunded deferred compensation plan
for directors which permits outside directors to elect to defer either all
compensation to be received from L-P as a director or only the annual fees. Such
deferred compensation earns interest at a rate equal to the 90-day rate paid on
certain high-grade commercial paper, adjusted quarterly. Payment of deferred
amounts shall be made, at the director's option, in a lump sum or in
substantially equal quarterly installments over a 5-year or 10-year period
beginning the first quarter after he or she ceases to be a director.
L-P's 1992 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (the "Director Plan")
provides for the automatic granting every five years of options to purchase
shares of L-P Common Stock to members of the Board of Directors who are not
employees of L-P or any of its subsidiaries. Each option under the Director Plan
entitles the holder to purchase 45,000 shares of Common Stock at a price equal
to 85 percent of the Fair Market Value (as defined) of a share of L-P Common
Stock on the date of grant. Each option becomes exercisable as to 20 percent of
the shares covered by the option (i.e., 9,000 shares) on each of the first
through fifth anniversaries of the date of grant. Options will become
immediately exercisable upon the death of the optionee or upon the occurrence of
a change in control (as defined) of L-P. Each option expires ten years after the
date of grant, subject to earlier termination if the optionee ceases to be a
member of the Board of Directors.
AGREEMENTS WITH EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
L-P has entered into an employment agreement with Mark A. Suwyn with respect
to his employment as L-P's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The term of the
agreement expires on December 31, 1998, subject to automatic extension annually
thereafter unless 90 days' prior notice of intention to terminate is given by
either party.
The agreement provides that Mr. Suwyn's base salary will be a minimum of
$600,000, subject to annual review for increase beginning in 1997 by the Board
of Directors. The agreement also provides that Mr. Suwyn shall be entitled to an
annual bonus, subject to satisfying reasonable annual performance goals
established by the Compensation Committee. As contemplated by the agreement, L-P
has determined to ask the stockholders to approve performance goals for Mr.
Suwyn's annual bonuses in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. See "Item
2 -- Approval of Performance Goals."
18
In February 1996, L-P paid Mr. Suwyn, pursuant to the employment agreement,
a replacement bonus in the amount of $600,000, representing the amount which
otherwise likely would have been payable to Mr. Suwyn by International Paper
Company ("IP"), Mr. Suwyn's prior employer, as an annual performance bonus for
1995 had he not terminated his employment with IP.
As further provided in the agreement, Mr. Suwyn was granted, pursuant to the
terms of L-P's 1991 Employee Stock Option Plan, options to purchase 200,000
shares of L-P Common Stock at an exercise price of $25.25 per share (the closing
price of the Common Stock quoted on the New York Stock Exchange on January 2,
1996). Such options will expire on January 2, 2006, and will vest in five equal
annual installments beginning on January 1, 1997, subject to acceleration of
exercisability upon the occurrence of certain specified events during Mr.
Suwyn's term of employment, including a Change in Control of L-P (as defined).
Mr. Suwyn has also been granted 150,000 restricted shares of L-P Common
Stock. Mr. Suwyn will become vested as to 30,000 of such shares on each of
January 1, 1997, 1998, and 1999 and the remaining 60,000 shares upon reaching
age 62 while employed by L-P, subject to acceleration of vesting as to all
shares (including any shares previously vested) upon the occurrence of certain
specified events during Mr. Suwyn's term of employment, including a Change in
Control of L-P.
The agreement also provides for a nonqualified supplemental executive
retirement benefit in which Mr. Suwyn is immediately vested to the extent
accrued. The annual benefit payable to Mr. Suwyn (calculated as a single life
annuity reduced on an actuarial basis for retirement prior to age 62) will be
equal to an amount based on Mr. Suwyn's compensation (salary plus annual bonus)
for the year during the three consecutive calendar years prior to termination of
employment in which he had the highest compensation (including that with his
previous employer), with a maximum annual benefit equal to 50 percent (less a
Social Security offset) of such compensation and a minimum annual benefit equal
to 25 percent of such compensation. The annual benefit so calculated will be
reduced by an amount equal to benefits payable to Mr. Suwyn pursuant to L-P's
ESOT and the retirement plans maintained by his prior employer.
Other benefits provided under the agreement include a relocation bonus in
the amount of $100,000 after tax and other standard executive relocation
benefits.
In the event Mr. Suwyn's employment is terminated by Mr. Suwyn for Good
Reason (as defined) or by L-P for any reason other than disability or Cause (as
defined), or if the agreement is not renewed pursuant to notice by L-P, Mr.
Suwyn will be entitled to receive an amount equal to his base salary, as then in
effect, for the remainder of the term of the agreement or 24 months, whichever
is longer, plus a pro rata performance bonus for the year of termination and
certain continued medical benefits. He will also be entitled to all other
amounts and benefits in which he is then or thereby becomes vested, including
all of the stock options and restricted shares described above.
If a Change in Control occurs and Mr. Suwyn's employment terminates
(including voluntarily by Mr. Suwyn) during the 13-month period following the
Change in Control other than for Cause or by death or disability, Mr. Suwyn will
be entitled to receive, in addition to all amounts and benefits in which he is
vested, an amount equal to his base salary, as then in effect, for the remainder
of the term of the agreement or 24 months, whichever is longer, together with
(i) a pro rata share of the targeted annual performance bonus for the year in
which such termination occurs; (ii) a bonus equal to two times the targeted
annual performance bonus, if any, for such year payable in 24 equal monthly
installments; (iii) employee welfare benefits substantially similar to those
which he was receiving immediately prior to such termination; and (iv) two
additional years of service for purposes of his supplemental retirement benefit.
For purposes of the agreement, a "Change in Control" of L-P includes:
certain extraordinary corporate transactions pursuant to which less than a
majority of the combined voting power in L-P remains in the hands of the holders
immediately prior to such transactions, a person or group (other than certain
persons related to L-P) becoming the beneficial owner of 25 percent or more of
the combined voting power
19
in L-P, or, with certain exceptions, the existing directors of L-P ceasing to
constitute a majority of the Board of Directors. "Cause" includes continuing to
fail to devote substantially all one's business time to L-P's business and
affairs, engaging in certain activities competitive with L-P, or the commission
of specified wrongful acts. "Good Reason" includes failure to maintain Mr. Suwyn
as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, a reduction in base salary or the
termination or reduction of any employee benefits, certain extraordinary
corporate transactions, certain relocations of Mr. Suwyn's place of work, or any
material breach of the agreement by L-P.
If any payment under the agreement is determined to be subject to the
federal excise tax imposed on benefits that constitute excess parachute payments
under the Code, Mr. Suwyn will be entitled to reimbursement for such taxes on an
after-tax basis.
In connection with his employment as L-P's interim Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, Donald R. Kayser entered into an employment agreement with
L-P providing for an annual base salary of $600,000, together with customary
employee benefits and a housing allowance of $2,500 per month. Mr. Kayser's
employment under the agreement terminated on January 29, 1996. Beginning January
30, 1996, L-P engaged Mr. Kayser to provide consulting services as requested by
Mr. Suwyn for a period of three months, including advice on transitional issues.
As compensation for his services, Mr. Kayser will receive $22,500 plus $1,500
for each day in excess of 15 days that he is required to provide services
pursuant to the agreement.
Lee C. Simpson entered into an employment agreement with L-P relating to his
employment as interim President and Chief Operating Officer of L-P providing for
an annual base salary of $540,000, together with customary employee benefits and
a housing allowance of $2,500 per month. The original expiration date of the
agreement of January 29, 1996, has been extended to March 15, 1996, by mutual
agreement.
In connection with his employment as Senior Vice President -- Compliance on
August 1, 1995, Stephen R. Grant entered into an employment agreement with L-P
providing for an annual base salary of $375,000, together with customary
employment benefits and a monthly $2,500 housing allowance. Mr. Grant's term of
employment will expire on the date that L-P's chief executive officer either no
longer requires his services or establishes a permanent position with L-P
acceptable to Mr. Grant.
Each of the employment agreements with Messrs. Kayser, Simpson, and Grant
also provided for an award of phantom shares as reflected in the Summary
Compensation Table above.
In connection with Harry A. Merlo's resignation as Chairman, President and
Director of L-P on July 28, 1995, L-P entered into certain agreements with Mr.
Merlo with respect to the termination of his employment as follows: (i) to
continue his salary and employee benefits through September 15, 1995, and to pay
him an additional amount in lieu of accrued vacation; (ii) to pay him a special
retirement benefit in the form of a lump-sum payment in the amount of
$3,200,000; (iii) to give him the $628,000 premium equity accrued in the whole
life insurance policy previously maintained by L-P on his life; (iv) to make a
one-time payment of $90,000 to reimburse him for the cost of obtaining office
space; (v) to pay the costs of providing suitable office furniture and equipment
for him and one assistant; (vi) to pay the salary (not to exceed $48,000 per
year) and regular L-P employee benefits to his assistant through December 31,
1996; (vii) to sell to Mr. Merlo the company vehicles being used by him for
L-P's book value totaling $23,171; and (viii) to sell to Mr. Merlo two paintings
owned by L-P for an amount determined by an independent appraiser.
L-P also entered into certain arrangements with James Eisses in connection
with his resignation as an officer and director on July 28, 1995, as follows:
(i) to continue his salary and employee benefits through September 5, 1995, and
to pay him an additional amount in lieu of accrued vacation; (ii) to pay him a
special retirement benefit in the form of a lump-sum payment in the amount of
$800,000; (iii) to give him the $42,800 premium equity accrued in the whole life
insurance policy previously maintained by L-P on his life; and (iv) to give Mr.
Eisses the fully depreciated company car being used by him. L-P forgave
principal and interest of $130,674 on an outstanding loan to Mr. Eisses. Mr.
Eisses also entered into a
20
consulting agreement with L-P for the period from August 1, 1995, until December
31, 1997. As compensation for his consulting services, L-P agreed to pay Mr.
Eisses a monthly retainer fee of $33,333 until December 31, 1995, and $11,111
per month thereafter. Mr. Eisses has agreed not to compete with L-P during the
term of the consulting agreement.
Ronald L. Paul received a lump-sum cash payment of $600,000, together with
salary and employee benefits, including accrued vacation, through September 5,
1995, in connection with settlement of any claims against L-P which he may have
had with respect to his resignation as an officer and director effective July
28, 1995. Mr. Paul also purchased several L-P motor vehicles for their book
value of $36,952, and received the $12,500 premium equity accrued in the whole
life insurance policy previously maintained by L-P on his life.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Stockholder proposals intended to be considered for inclusion in the proxy
statement and proxy for the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of L-P must be
received by L-P no later than November 28, 1996.
L-P's bylaws permit business in addition to that included in its proxy
materials to be presented at an annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder
of record, provided that such stockholder gives written notice thereof to the
Chairman in the manner and within the time periods described under "Item 1 --
Election of Directors; Nominating Committee" above with respect to nominations
for director. Such notice must include, as to each matter the stockholder
proposes to bring before the annual meeting, a brief description of the business
and the reason for presenting it, the name and address of the stockholder as
they appear on L-P's stock ledger, a representation that the stockholder is a
record holder and intends to appear at the meeting in person or by proxy to
propose such business, and any material interest of the stockholder in such
business. The meeting chairman shall, if the facts warrant, determine that any
such business was not properly brought before the meeting and so declare to the
meeting, whereupon such business shall not be transacted.
GENERAL
Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Section 16") requires
that reports of beneficial ownership of Common Stock and changes in such
ownership be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and
the New York Stock Exchange by L-P's officers, directors, and certain other
"reporting persons." Based solely upon a review of copies of Section 16 reports
filed by L-P's reporting persons and written representations by such persons, to
L-P's knowledge, all Section 16 reporting requirements applicable to such
persons were complied with for the period specified in the SEC's rules governing
proxy statement disclosures, except that two reports for Robert M. Simpson were
each filed approximately five days late.
The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by L-P. In addition to the
solicitation of proxies by the use of the mails, some of the officers and
regular employees of L-P, without extra compensation, may solicit proxies
personally or by other means such as telephone, telecopier, telegraph, or cable.
L-P will request brokers, dealers, banks, voting trustees, and their
nominees, who hold Common Stock of record, to forward soliciting material to the
beneficial owners of such stock and will reimburse such record holders for their
reasonable expenses in forwarding material. L-P has retained D.F. King & Co.,
Inc., to assist in such solicitation for an estimated fee of $15,500 plus
reimbursement for certain expenses.
21
EXHIBIT A
LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
1996 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
1. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN. This Plan shall be known as the "Louisiana-Pacific
Corporation 1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan." The purpose of the Plan is to
permit employees of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation ("the Company") and of its
Subsidiaries (as hereinafter defined) to obtain or increase a proprietary
interest in the Company by permitting them to make installment purchases of
shares of the Company's Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) through payroll
deductions. The Plan is intended to qualify as an "employee stock purchase plan"
within the meaning of Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the
"Code").
2. DEFINITIONS.
(a) COMMON STOCK. The Company's $1 par value common stock as presently
constituted and shares of common stock which may be issued by the Company in
exchange for or reclassification thereof.
(b) Offering Dates.
(i) FIRST OFFERING DATE. September 1, 1996.
(ii) SECOND OFFERING DATE. September 1, 1997.
(c) Offering Periods.
(i) FIRST OFFERING PERIOD. The period beginning on September 1,
1996, and ending on September 30, 1996.
(ii) SECOND OFFERING PERIOD. The period beginning on September 1,
1997, and ending on September 30, 1997.
(d) Purchase Dates.
(i) FIRST PURCHASE DATE. September 30, 1998, or any earlier date of
purchase pursuant to subscriptions entered into during the First Offering
Period.
(ii) SECOND PURCHASE DATE. September 30, 1999, or any earlier date
of purchase pursuant to subscriptions entered into during the Second
Offering Period.
(e) Purchase Periods.
(i) FIRST PURCHASE PERIOD. The period beginning on October 1, 1996,
and ending on September 30, 1998.
(ii) SECOND PURCHASE PERIOD. The period beginning on October 1,
1997, and ending on September 30, 1999.
(f) PURCHASE PRICE. The lesser of (i) the Maximum Purchase Price or
(ii) the mean between the reported high and low sale prices of Common Stock
on the New York Stock Exchange -- Composite Transactions on the applicable
Purchase Date or on the last day preceding such date on which such Exchange
shall have been open. The Purchase Price per share shall be subject to
adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 18 of this Plan.
(g) MAXIMUM PURCHASE PRICE. 85 percent of the mean between the reported
high and low sale prices of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange --
Composite Transactions on the last day preceding the applicable Offering
Date on which such Exchange shall have been open.
A-1
(h) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. Those persons who on the applicable Offering
Date are employees of the Company or a Subsidiary except those who,
immediately prior to the applicable Offering Date, would be deemed under
Section 423(b)(3) of the Code to own stock possessing 5 percent or more of
the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the
Company or any other corporation that constitutes a parent or subsidiary
corporation of the Company within the meaning of that section.
(i) PARTICIPANT. An Eligible Employee who subscribes for the purchase
of shares of Common Stock under the Plan in accordance with the Plan.
(j) MONTHLY COMPENSATION. For an Eligible Employee on the payroll of
the Company or a Subsidiary for the entire calendar month preceding the
applicable Offering Date, the compensation paid or accrued to such Eligible
Employee for such month plus, in the case of such an Eligible Employee whose
compensation for such month was based wholly or partly on a bonus,
commission, profit sharing or similar arrangement for which no accrual was
made for such month, an amount equal to the portion attributable to one
month of the amount accrued to such Eligible Employee as of the day
preceding the applicable Offering Date, on the books of the Company or its
Subsidiaries in accordance with such arrangement. For all other Eligible
Employees, Monthly Compensation shall be the monthly rate of compensation in
effect immediately prior to the applicable Offering Date. For all purposes
of the Plan, Monthly Compensation shall include any amount which is
contributed by the Company or a Subsidiary pursuant to a salary reduction
agreement and which is not includable in the gross income of an Eligible
Employee under Code Sections 125 (relating to "cafeteria plans") or
402(a)(8) (relating to elective contributions under a "401(k)" plan).
(k) SUBSIDIARY. A corporation of which, on the applicable Offering
Date, the Company or a subsidiary of the Company owns at least 51 percent of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock and whose employees
are authorized to participate in the Plan by the Board of Directors of the
Company.
3. THE OFFERING. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan
shall be 1,500,000, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 18 below.
During each Offering Period the Company may offer, at the applicable Purchase
Price, for subscription by Eligible Employees in accordance with the terms of
the Plan, such number of authorized and unissued or treasury shares of its
Common Stock subject to the Plan as may be determined by the Board of Directors
of the Company.
4. SUBSCRIPTIONS.
(A) SHARES SUBJECT TO SUBSCRIPTION. During each Offering Period, each
Eligible Employee shall be entitled to subscribe for the number of whole
shares of Common Stock offered during such Offering Period designated by him
in accordance with the terms of the Plan; provided, however, that the
minimum number of such shares that may be subscribed for shall be the number
of whole shares that can be purchased, at the Maximum Purchase Price for
such Offering Period, with $600, and the maximum number of such shares that
may be subscribed for shall be the number of whole shares that can be
purchased, at the Maximum Purchase Price for such Offering Period, with the
lesser of (i) $21,240 or (ii) 50 percent of the Eligible Employee's Monthly
Compensation multiplied by 24.
(b) FURTHER LIMITATION ON SUBSCRIPTIONS. Notwithstanding Section 4(a)
above, the maximum number of shares that may be subscribed for by an
Eligible Employee shall be further limited and reduced to the extent that
the number of shares owned by such Eligible Employee immediately after any
Offering Date for purposes of Section 423(b)(3) of the Code plus the maximum
number of shares set forth in Section 4(a) above would exceed 5 percent of
the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the
Company or a parent or subsidiary corporation of the Company within the
meaning set forth in Section 423(b)(3) of the Code.
(c) SUBSCRIPTION AGREEMENTS. Subscriptions pursuant to the Plan shall
be evidenced by the completion and execution of subscription agreements in
the form provided by the Company and delivery of such agreements to the
Company, at the place designated by the Company, prior to the
A-2
expiration of each Offering Period. Except as provided in the Plan, no
subscription agreement shall be subject to termination or reduction during
the Offering Period to which it relates without written consent of the
Company.
(d) OVER SUBSCRIPTION. In the event that the aggregate number of shares
subscribed for pursuant to the Plan as of any Purchase Date shall exceed the
number of shares offered for sale during the Offering Period related to such
Purchase Date, then each subscription for such Offering Period pursuant to
which a purchase is effected shall be reduced to the number of shares that
such subscription would cover in the event of a proportionate reduction of
all subscriptions for such Offering Period outstanding on such Purchase Date
so that the aggregate number of shares subject to all such subscriptions
would not exceed the number of shares offered for sale during such Offering
Period. In making such reductions, fractions of shares shall be disregarded
and each subscription shall be for a whole number of shares.
5. APPROVAL OF STOCKHOLDERS. The Plan shall be submitted for approval by
stockholders of the Company prior to March 19, 1997. Subscriptions shall be
subject to the condition that, prior to such date, the Plan shall be approved by
the stockholders of the Company in the manner contemplated by Section 423(b)(2)
of the Code and Treasury Regulation Section 1.423-2(c). If not so approved prior
to such date, the Plan shall terminate, all subscriptions hereunder shall be
canceled and be of no further force and effect, and all Participants shall be
entitled to the prompt refund in cash of all sums withheld from and paid by them
pursuant to the Plan.
6. PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE. Except as otherwise specifically provided in
the Plan, the Purchase Price of all shares purchased hereunder shall be paid in
equal installments (in the currency in which the Participant is paid) through
payroll deduction from the Participant's compensation during the applicable
Purchase Period, without the right of prepayment. Each installment shall be in
an amount (in the currency in which the Participant is paid) calculated as of
the Offering Date to be equal to the Maximum Purchase Price multiplied by the
number of shares subscribed for divided by twice the number of annual pay
periods for such Participant, with appropriate adjustment of future payroll
deductions for a Participant whose payroll period changes. A Participant shall
pay the amount of any difference between the Purchase Price and the amount so
withheld in cash not later than the applicable Purchase Date; there shall be an
appropriate reduction in the number of shares to be purchased by a Participant
who fails to make such a required payment.
7. APPLICATION OF FUNDS; PARTICIPANTS' ACCOUNTS. All amounts withheld from
and paid by Participants hereunder shall be deposited in the Company's general
corporate account to be used for any corporate purposes; provided, however, that
the Company shall maintain a separate bookkeeping account for each Participant
hereunder reflecting all amounts withheld from and paid by such Participant with
respect to each Purchase Period under the Plan. No interest shall be credited to
such separate accounts.
8. ISSUANCE OF SHARES. Shares purchased under the Plan shall, for all
purposes, be considered to have been issued, sold and purchased at the close of
business on the applicable Purchase Date. Prior to each applicable Purchase
Date, no Participant shall have any rights as a holder of any shares covered by
a subscription agreement. Promptly after each Purchase Date, the Company shall
issue and deliver to the Participant a stock certificate or certificates
representing the whole number of shares purchased by him during the Purchase
Period ending with such Purchase Date and refund to the Participant in cash any
excess amount in his account relating to such Purchase Period. No adjustment
shall be made for dividends or for the other rights for which the record date is
prior to the applicable Purchase Date, except as may otherwise be provided in
Section 18.
9. RIGHT TO TERMINATE SUBSCRIPTION. Each Participant shall have the right,
at any time after the expiration of each Offering Period and prior to the
applicable Purchase Date, to terminate his subscription relating to such
Offering Period by written notice to the Company and receive a prompt refund in
cash of the total amount in his account with respect to the applicable Purchase
Period.
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10. RIGHT TO REDUCE NUMBER OF SHARES. Each Participant shall have the
right, at any time after the expiration of each Offering Period and prior to the
applicable Purchase Date, to make, by written notice to the Company, a
one-time-only reduction in the number of shares covered by his subscription
agreement relating to such Offering Period. Upon such reduction of shares, an
appropriate reduction shall be made in the Participant's future payroll
deductions during the applicable Purchase Period and the excess amount in the
Participant's account with respect to such Purchase Period resulting from such
reduction shall be promptly refunded to the Participant in cash or, at the
option of the Participant, shall be applied in equal amounts against all future
installment payments of the Maximum Purchase Price of the reduced number of
shares to be purchased during the applicable Purchase Period.
11. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Upon termination of employment of a
Participant for any reason other than retirement, disability or death, including
by reason of the sale of the Subsidiary by which the Participant is employed
such that the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company no longer owns at least 51
percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Subsidiary, a Participant shall have, during the period of three months
following his termination date, but prior to the applicable Purchase Date, the
right with respect to each Purchase Period for which he has an account under the
Plan to elect to receive either a refund in cash of the total amount of his
account relating to such Purchase Period or the whole number of shares that can
be purchased at the applicable Purchase Price with such amount together with any
remaining cash in his account relating to such Purchase Period. Each election
must be in writing and delivered to the Company within the aforementioned
period. If the Participant elects to receive shares, the Purchase Date shall be
the date the Participant's election is delivered to the Company. In the event
the Participant does not make a timely election with respect to any Purchase
Period for which he has an account under the Plan, he shall be deemed to have
elected to receive a cash refund of the amount of his account relating to such
Purchase Period.
12. RETIREMENT; DISABILITY. A Participant who retires or whose employment
is terminated by reason of any injury or illness of such a serious nature as to
disable the Participant from resuming employment with the Company shall have all
of the rights described in Section 11 above and shall have the additional right
to elect, in the manner described in Section 11, to prepay in cash in a lump sum
the entire unpaid balance of the Purchase Price of the shares covered by his
subscription agreement relating to each Purchase Period and to receive such
shares. The Purchase Date for this purpose shall be the date on which both the
Participant's election and the lump-sum cash payment shall have been delivered
to the Company. For purposes of the Plan, a termination of employment at or
after age 60 for any reason shall be considered retirement.
13. DEATH. In the event of the death of a Participant while in the employ
of the Company or a Subsidiary and prior to full payment of the Maximum Purchase
Price for the shares covered by his subscription with respect to each Purchase
Period, or the death of a retired or disabled Participant prior to the exercise
of his rights described in Section 12 above, his personal representative shall
have, during the period of three months following termination of the
Participant's employment, but prior to the applicable Purchase Date, the rights
described in Section 12. In the event of the death of a Participant who
previously terminated employment by reason other than retirement or disability
prior to full payment of the Maximum Purchase Price for the shares covered by
his subscription with respect to each Purchase Period and prior to the exercise
of his rights described in Section 11, his personal representative shall have
the rights described in Section 11.
14. TERMINATION, RETIREMENT OR DEATH PRIOR TO STOCKHOLDER
APPROVAL. Notwithstanding Sections 11, 12, and 13, if the Plan shall not have
been approved by stockholders of the Company as described in Section 5 prior to
the time for the exercise of any rights described in Sections 11, 12 or 13, the
Participant or his personal representative shall only have, under said Sections,
the right to receive a refund in cash of the total amount in his account with
respect to each Purchase Period.
15. TEMPORARY LAYOFF; LEAVES OF ABSENCE. A Participant's installment
payments with respect to each Purchase Period shall be suspended during any
period of absence from work due to temporary layoff or leave of absence without
pay. If such Participant returns to active employment within the applicable
A-4
Purchase Period, installment payments shall resume and the Participant shall be
entitled to elect either to make up the deficiency in his account with respect
to such Purchase Period immediately with a lump-sum cash payment, or to have
future installments with respect to such Purchase Period uniformly increased to
make up the deficiency, or to have an appropriate reduction made in the number
of shares covered by his subscription agreement with respect to such Purchase
Period to eliminate the deficiency. The election (together with the lump-sum
cash payment, if applicable) must be delivered to the Company within 10 days of
the Participant's return to active employment but prior to the applicable
Purchase Date. If the Participant fails to make a timely election, the
appropriate reduction of shares shall be made in accordance with the above. If
the Participant does not return to active employment within the applicable
Purchase Period, he shall have the right to elect to receive either a refund in
cash of the total amount of his account with respect to such Purchase Period or
the whole number of shares which can be purchased at the applicable Purchase
Price with such amount together with any remaining cash in his account with
respect to the Purchase Period. The election must be in writing and delivered to
the Company prior to, and shall be effective as of, the applicable Purchase
Date. In the event the Participant does not make a timely election with respect
to any Purchase Period, he shall be deemed to have elected to receive the cash
refund with respect to that Purchase Period.
16. INSUFFICIENCY OF COMPENSATION. In the event that for any payroll
period, for reasons other than termination of employment for any reason,
temporary layoff or leave of absence without pay, a Participant's compensation
(after all other proper deductions from his compensation) becomes insufficient
to permit the full withholding of his installment payment, the Participant may
pay the deficiency in cash when it becomes due. In the event that, in a
subsequent payroll period, the Participant's compensation becomes sufficient to
make the full installment payment and there still remains a deficiency in his
account, the deficiency must then be eliminated through the election of one of
the alternatives described in Section 15. The Participant must deliver his
election to the Company within 10 days of the end of such subsequent payroll
period but prior to the applicable Purchase Date. In the event that on the
applicable Purchase Date there remains a deficiency in such a Participant's
account or, in the event a Participant described above fails to make a timely
election, the appropriate reduction of shares shall be made in accordance with
Section 15.
17. INTEREST. Any person who becomes entitled to receive any amount of cash
refund from any account maintained for him pursuant to any provision of the Plan
shall be entitled to receive in cash, at the same time, simple interest on the
amount of such refund at the rate of 6 percent per annum. Any refund shall be
deemed to be made from the most recent payment or payments made by the
Participant pursuant to the Plan.
18. EFFECT OF CERTAIN STOCK TRANSACTIONS. If at any time prior to the
second Purchase Date the Company shall effect a subdivision of shares of Common
Stock or other increase (by stock dividend or otherwise) of the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding, without the receipt of consideration by the Company
or another corporation in which it is financially interested and otherwise than
in discharge of the Company's obligation to make further payment for assets
theretofore acquired by it or such other corporation or upon conversion of stock
or other securities issued for consideration, or shall reduce the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding by a consolidation of shares, then (a) in the
event of such an increase in the number of such shares outstanding, the number
of shares then remaining subject to the Plan and the number of shares of Common
Stock then subject to Participants' subscription agreements shall be
proportionately increased and the Maximum Purchase Price and the Purchase Price
per share for each Purchase Period affected by such event shall be
proportionately reduced and (b) in the event of such a reduction in the number
of such shares outstanding, the number of shares then remaining subject to the
Plan and the number of shares of Common Stock then subject to subscription
agreements shall be proportionately reduced and the Maximum Purchase Price and
the Purchase Price per share for each Purchase Period affected by such event
shall be proportionately increased. Except as provided in this Section 18, no
adjustment shall be made under the Plan or any subscription agreement by reason
of any dividend or other distribution declared or paid by the Company.
A-5
19. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION. In the event of any
merger or consolidation of which the Company is not to be the survivor (or in
which the Company is the survivor but becomes a subsidiary of another
corporation), or the liquidation or dissolution of the Company, each Participant
shall have the right immediately prior to such event to elect to receive the
number of whole shares that can be purchased at the Purchase Price applicable to
each Purchase Period with respect to which such Participant has subscribed for
purchase of Common Stock with the full amount that has been withheld from and
paid by him pursuant to the subscription agreement relating to such Purchase
Period, together with any remaining excess cash in his account relating to such
Purchase Period. If such election is not made with respect to the amount in a
Participant's account for any Purchase Period, the Participant's subscription
agreement shall terminate and he shall receive a prompt refund in cash of the
total amount in such account.
20. LIMITATION ON RIGHT TO PURCHASE. Notwithstanding any provision of the
Plan to the contrary, if at any time a Participant is entitled to purchase
shares of Common Stock on a Purchase Date, taking into account such
Participant's rights, if any, to purchase Common Stock under the Plan and all
other stock purchase plans of the Company and of other corporations that
constitute parent or subsidiary corporations of the Company within the meaning
of Sections 425(e) and (f) of the Code, the result would be that, during the
then current calendar year, such Participant would have first become entitled to
purchase under the Plan and all such other plans a number of shares of Common
Stock of the Company that would exceed the maximum number of shares permitted by
the provisions of Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, then the number of shares that
such Participant shall be entitled to purchase pursuant to the Plan on such
Purchase Date shall be reduced by the number that is one more than the number of
shares that represents the excess, and any excess amount in his account
resulting from such reduction shall be promptly refunded to him in cash.
21. NON-ASSIGNABILITY. None of the rights of an Eligible Employee under the
Plan or any subscription agreement entered into pursuant hereto shall be
transferable by such Eligible Employee otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and during the lifetime of an Eligible Employee such
rights shall be exercisable only by him.
22. SHARES NOT PURCHASED. Shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan that
are not subscribed for during the First Offering Period and shares subscribed
for pursuant to the First Offering Period that thereafter cease to be subject to
any subscription agreement hereunder shall remain subject to and reserved for
use in connection with the Second Offering Period. Shares of Common Stock
subject to the Plan that are not subscribed for during the Second Offering
Period and shares subscribed for during the Second Offering Period that
thereafter cease to be subject to any subscription agreement hereunder shall be
free from reservation for use in connection with the Plan.
23. CONSTRUCTION; ADMINISTRATION. All questions with respect to the
construction and application of the Plan and subscription agreements thereunder
and the administration of the Plan shall be settled by the determination of the
Board of Directors or of one or more other persons designated by it, which
determinations shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and all
employees and other persons. All Eligible Employees shall have the same rights
and privileges under the Plan. The Purchase Price, the Maximum Purchase Price,
and the amount in each Participant's account shall be denominated in United
States dollars and amounts received from or paid to any Participant in any other
currency shall be converted into United States dollars at the exchange rate in
effect on the date of receipt or payment.
24. TERMINATION OR AMENDMENT. The Plan may be terminated or amended in any
way by the Board of Directors at any time prior to approval of the Plan by the
stockholders of the Company pursuant to Section 5. Subsequent to such approval
of the Plan by the stockholders of the Company, the Plan may be amended by the
Board of Directors, provided that no such amendment shall (a) adversely affect
the rights of employees under subscription agreements theretofore entered into
pursuant to the Plan or (b) increase the maximum number of shares of Common
Stock offered under the Plan or decrease the price per share, except pursuant to
Section 18.
A-6
LOUISIANA-PACIFIC CORPORATION
P PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
r FOR ANNUAL MEETING MAY 6, 1996
O
X The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Bonnie Guiton Hill, Lee C.
Y Simpson, and Charles E. Yeager and each of them, his true and lawful
agents and proxies, each with full power of substitution, to represent and
vote the common stock of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation ("L-P"), which the
undersigned may be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of L-P
stockholders to be held May 6, 1996, or at any adjournment thereof.
Nominees for Election as Directors:
Pierre S. du Pont, William E. Flaherty, Donald R. Kayser
YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO SPECIFY YOUR CHOICES BY MARKING THE
APPROPRIATE BOXES ON THE REVERSE SIDE. YOU NEED NOT MARK
ANY BOXES IF YOU WISH TO VOTE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATIONS. BY SIGNING ON THE
REVERSE, YOU ACKNOWLEDGE RECEIPT OF THE 1996 NOTICE OF
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND ACCOMPANYING PROXY
STATEMENT AND REVOKE ALL PROXIES HERETOFORE GIVEN BY YOU
TO VOTE AT SAID MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT THEREOF. -----------
SEE REVERSE
SIDE
-----------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DETACH AND RETURN PROXY CARD; RETAIN ADMISSION TICKET
ADMISSION TICKET
Louisiana-Pacific LOGO
"Louisiana-Pacific has always been a leader in its industry--developing new
technologies and creating new products in response to the needs of its
customers. Louisiana-Pacific has a heritage of seeking innovative solutions
to customer needs. Generally, we have accomplished significant growth without
developing large bureaucracies that can overburden costs. Without diminishing
those very positive qualities, I am embarking on a plan to add disciplined,
predictable business processes to all activities of the company. My goal is
to assure consistency and quality in everything we do. I also strongly
believe in engaging and empowering employees in these activities, so that
together we can deliver increased shareholder value."
-- Mark A. Suwyn
Chairman and CEO
From the Letter to Stockholders in the 1995 Louisiana-Pacific Annual Report.
__ |
--- PLEASE MARK YOUR | | 9319
X VOTES AS IN THIS |____
--- EXAMPLE.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed
herein. If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR election of
directors, FOR proposals 2,3 and 4, and AGAINST proposals 5, 6 and 7.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS,
FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR WITHHELD FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of --- --- 2. Approval of --- --- ---
Directors --- --- performance --- --- ---
(see reverse) goals.
FOR all nominees except as
marked to the contrary below: 3. Approval of 1996 --- --- ---
Employee Stock --- --- ---
_____________________________ Purchase Plan.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
4. Approval of --- --- ---
accountants. --- --- ---
- -------------------------------------------------
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE
AGAINST PROPOSALS 5, 6 AND 7.
- -----------------------------------------------------
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
5. Stockholder proposal, NOT --- --- ---
recommended by management, --- --- ---
relating to classification
of the board of directors.
6. Stockholder proposal, NOT --- --- ---
recommended by management --- --- ---
relating to director
liability.
7. Stockholder proposal, NOT --- --- ---
recommended by management --- --- ---
relating to compensation
and workplace policies.
- -----------------------------------------------------
If any other matters properly come before the
meeting, this proxy will be voted by the
proxies named herein in accordance with their
best judgment.
SIGNATURE(S)_____________________________________________ DATE_______________
NOTE: Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon. If signing for estates,
trusts, or corporations, title or capacity should be stated. If shares are
held jointly, each holder should sign.
- ----------------------------------------
I/We plan to attend the Annual Meeting ---
(Admission Ticket attached) ---
- ----------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DETACH AND RETURN PROXY CARD; RETAIN ADMISSION TICKET
Louisiana-Pacific LOGO
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
ADMISSION TICKET
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Louisiana-Pacific Corporation will be
held at 9:30 a.m. on May 6, 1996, at The Benson Hotel, 309 S.W. Fifth Avenue,
Portland, Oregon 97204. Public transportation to the hotel is available from
the airport, and there is ample public parking in the vicinity of the hotel.
Your voted proxy card should be detached and returned as soon as possible in
the enclosed postpaid envelope. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting,
please mark the attendance box on the proxy card, and retain this Admission
Ticket. The use of admission tickets expedites registration of shareholders
at the Annual Meeting and is helpful to us in making arrangements for the
meeting.
On May 6, 1996, please present this Admission Ticket to the Louisiana-Pacific
representative at the entrance to the Annual Meeting.
-- Anton C. Kirchhof
General Counsel and
Secretary