def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
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Check the appropriate box: |
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 240.14a-12 |
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required. |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
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(3)
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Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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(5)
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Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials: |
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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and
identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous
filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Amount Previously Paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
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Date Filed: |
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held December 5, 2006
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Trio-Tech International, a
California corporation (the Company), will be held at our principal executive offices, located at
14731 Califa Street, Van Nuys, California, on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 10:00 A.M., local time,
for the following purposes, as set forth in the attached Proxy Statement:
1. To elect directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of
shareholders.
2. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
The Board of Directors fixed the close of business on October 12, 2006 as the record date for
determining the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any
adjournment and postponements thereof.
After careful consideration, the Trio-Tech International Board of Directors recommends a vote
IN FAVOR OF the nominees for director named in the accompanying proxy statement.
Shareholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. Whether you plan to
attend the Annual Meeting or not, please complete, sign and date the enclosed Proxy Card and return
it without delay in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope. If you do attend the Annual Meeting, you
may withdraw your Proxy and vote personally on each matter brought before the meeting.
By Order of the Board of Directors
A. CHARLES WILSON
Chairman
October 25, 2006
Van Nuys, California
IMPORTANT
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO MARK, DATE AND SIGN THE
ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND RETURN IT AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PREPAID RETURN
ENVELOPE SO THAT IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOUR SHARES MAY BE VOTED.
THANK YOU FOR ACTING PROMPTLY
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL
14731 Califa Street
Van Nuys, California 91411
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held December 5, 2006
GENERAL
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of the enclosed Proxy on
behalf of the Board of Directors of Trio-Tech International, a California corporation (Trio-Tech
or the Company), for use at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company (the Annual
Meeting) to be held at our principal executive offices, located at 14731 Califa Street, Van Nuys,
California at 10:00 a.m., local time, on Tuesday, December 5, 2006, and at any adjournments
thereof, for the purposes of electing directors and such other business as may properly come before
the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed Proxy are intended to be mailed to
shareholders on or about November 6, 2006.
RECORD DATE AND VOTING SECURITIES
The close of business on October 12, 2006 was fixed as the record date for shareholders
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of that date, there were 3,222,492
shares of the Companys common stock (the Common Stock) outstanding and entitled to vote, the
holders of which are entitled to one vote per share.
VOTING GENERALLY
In the election of directors, a shareholder may cumulate his votes for one or more candidates,
but only if each such candidates name has been placed in nomination prior to the voting and the
shareholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of his intention to cumulate his
votes. If any one shareholder has given such notice, all shareholders may cumulate their votes for
the candidates in nomination. If the voting for directors is conducted by cumulative voting, each
share will be entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected. These
votes may be cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in such
proportions as the shareholder thinks fit. The four candidates receiving the highest number of
affirmative votes will be elected. Abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum but with respect to the election of directors, any votes against a candidate
or withheld from voting (whether by abstention, broker non-votes or otherwise) will not be counted
and will have no legal effect on the vote. Discretionary authority to cumulate votes is solicited
hereby.
Shareholders are requested to date, sign and return the enclosed Proxy to make certain their
shares will be voted at the Annual Meeting. Any Proxy given may be revoked by the shareholder at
any time before it is voted by delivering written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the
Company, by filing with the Secretary of the Company a Proxy bearing a later date, or by attending
the Annual Meeting and voting in person. All Proxies properly executed and returned will be voted
in accordance with the instructions specified thereon. If no instructions are specified, Proxies
will be voted FOR the election of the four nominees for directors named under Election of
Directors.
TRIO-TECH INFORMATION
Our principal executive offices are located at 14731 Califa Street, Van Nuys, California
91411. The telephone number of our principal offices is (818) 787-7000.
1
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO DIRECTORS
The Board has nominated the persons listed below for election to the Board at the Annual
Meeting, to hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until their respective successors are
elected and qualified. There are two vacancies on the Board of Directors. The Board does not
intend to fill the vacancies at this time due to the costs associated therewith. It is intended
that the Proxies received, unless otherwise specified, will be voted FOR the four nominees named
below, all of whom are incumbent directors of the Company. It is not contemplated that any of the
nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director but, if that should occur, the persons
designated as Proxy holders will vote in accordance with their best judgment. In no event will
Proxies be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named in this Proxy
Statement. The following sets forth, as of October 12, 2006, the names of each of the four nominees
for election as a director, his principal occupation, age, the year he became a director of the
Company, and additional biographical data.
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NAME |
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AGE |
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PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION |
A. Charles Wilson
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Chairman of the Board of Trio-Tech International;
Chairman of the Board of Ernest Paper Products, Inc.;
Chairman of the Board of Daico Industries, Inc. |
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S. W. Yong
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Chief Executive Officer and President of Trio-Tech
International |
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Richard M. Horowitz
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President of Management Brokers Insurance Agency
Chairman of the Board of Dial 800, Inc. |
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Jason T. Adelman
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Managing Director of Burnham Hill Partners. |
A. Charles Wilson
Mr. Wilson has served as a Director of Trio-Tech since 1966, and was President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company from 1981 to 1989. In 1989, he was elected Chairman of the Board.
Mr. Wilson is also Chairman of the Board of Ernest Paper Products, Inc. and Chairman of Daico
Industries, Inc., as well as an attorney admitted to practice law in California.
Siew Wai Yong
Mr. Yong has been a Director, Chief Executive Officer and President of Trio-Tech since 1990.
He joined Trio-Tech International Pte. Ltd. in Singapore in 1976 and was appointed as its Managing
Director in August 1980. Mr. Yong holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration, a Graduate
Diploma in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Industrial Management.
Richard M. Horowitz
Mr. Horowitz has served as a Director of Trio-Tech since 1990. He has been President of
Management Brokers Insurance Agency since 1974. He also serves as Chairman of Dial 800, Inc., a
national telecommunications company. Mr. Horowitz holds a Masters Degree in Business
Administration from Pepperdine University.
Jason T. Adelman
Mr. Adelman was elected to the Board of Trio-Tech in April 1997. Mr. Adelman is a Managing
Director of Burnham Hill Partners, a division of Pali Capital, Inc. The firm is based in New York
City and provides financing and financial advisory services. Previously, Mr. Adelman was employed
by H.C. Wainwright & Co (1999-2003), Drake Capital Securities (1997-1999), Spencer Trask Securities
(1996-1997) and Coopers & Lybrand LLP (1994-1996). Mr. Adelman is an honors graduate of the
University of Pennsylvania and Cornell Law School.
2
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board held four meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006. All of the directors
attended (in person or by telephone) at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and any committees
of the board on which they served during the fiscal year. Directors are expected to use their best
efforts to be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. All of our directors attended the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders held in December 2005.
The Company does not have a standing nominating committee. The entire Board nominates the
directors for election at the Annual Meeting. Because the Company currently has only
four Board members, three of whom are independent (as defined under the listing standards of the
American Stock Exchange upon which the Companys securities are listed), the Board of Directors
does not believe that a separate nominating committee is necessary as any selection of nominees, by
virtue of the composition of the current Board, would be by a vote that would be the same as the
vote of any separate committee consisting of only the independent directors. Furthermore, the
Board values the input of each of its members and believes that input is important in determining
the Board nominees. At such time, if any, as the Board composition changes, the Company may
establish a separate nominating committee. As a result, the entire Board participated in the
consideration of Board nominees and nominated the candidates for election named in this Proxy
Statement.
The Board has adopted a resolution addressing the nomination process and related matters.
That resolution states that, among other things, the Board believes that the continuing service of
qualified incumbents promotes stability and continuity in the board room, contributing to the
Boards ability to work as a collective body, while giving the Company the benefit of the
familiarity and insight into the Companys affairs that its directors have accumulated during their
tenure. The resolution further states that the Board will evaluate the performance of its Board
members on an annual basis in connection with the nomination process. The Board may solicit
recommendations for nominees from persons that the Board believes are likely to be familiar with
qualified candidates, including without limitation members of the Board and management of the
Company. The Board may also determine to engage a professional search firm to assist in
identifying qualified candidates if the need arises. The Board has not adopted specific minimum
qualifications for a position on the Companys Board or any specific skills or qualities that the
Board believes are necessary for one or more of its members to possess. However, the Board will
consider various factors including without limitation the candidates qualifications, the extent to
which the membership of the candidate on the Board will promote diversity among the directors, and
such other factors as the Board may deem to be relevant at the time and under the then existing
facts and circumstances.
The Board will consider candidates proposed by shareholders of the Company and will evaluate
all such candidates upon criteria similar to the criteria used by the Board to evaluate other
candidates. Shareholders desiring to propose a nominee for election to the Board must do so in
writing sufficiently in advance of an Annual Meeting so that the Board has the opportunity to make
an appropriate evaluation of such candidate and his or her qualifications and skills and to obtain
information necessary for preparing all of the disclosure required to be included in the Companys
proxy statement for the related meeting should such proposed candidate be nominated for election by
shareholders. Shareholder candidate proposals should be sent to the attention of the Secretary of
the Company at 14731 Califa Street, Van Nuys, California 91411.
The Board has a standing Compensation Committee, which currently consists of three independent
directors, namely Messrs. Jason T. Adelman, Richard M. Horowitz and A. Charles Wilson, Chairman.
The Compensation Committee determines salary and bonus arrangements. The Compensation Committee
met four times during the past fiscal year.
The Board has a separately designed standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section
3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The members thereof consist of
Messrs. Jason T. Adelman, Richard M. Horowitz and A. Charles Wilson, Chairman. The Board
of Directors has determined that the Audit Committee has at least one financial expert, namely A.
Charles Wilson. The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Mr. Wilson does not have a
material relationship with the Company that would interfere with the exercise of independent
judgment and is independent as independence is defined in Section 121(A) of the listing standards
of the American Stock Exchange. Pursuant to its written charter, which charter was adopted by the
Board of Directors, the Audit Committee is charged with, among other responsibilities, selecting
our independent public accountants, reviewing our annual audit and meeting with our independent
public accountants to review planned audit procedures. The Audit Committee also reviews with the
independent public accountants and management the results of
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the audit, including any recommendations of the independent public accountants for improvements in
accounting procedures and internal controls. The Audit Committee held five meetings during the
fiscal year ended June 30, 2006. Each of the members of the Audit Committee satisfies the
independence standards specified in Section 121(A) of the AMEX listing standards and Rule 10A-3
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Company has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics applicable to all officers,
management and employees and a separate code of ethics applicable to its principal executive
officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons
performing similar functions. A copy of the Companys code of business conduct and ethics and code
of ethics may be obtained, without charge, upon written request to the Secretary of the Company at
14731 Califa Street, Van Nuys, California 91411.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, the Audit Committee fulfilled its duties and
responsibilities as outlined in the charter. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the
Companys audited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 2006, and the independent auditors report on those financial statements, with the
Companys management and independent auditor. Management represented to the Audit Committee that
the Companys financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America. The Audit Committee has discussed with BDO Raffles (BDO)
the matters required to be discussed with the Audit Committee by Statement on Auditing Standards
No. 61, as amended, Communication with Audit Committees. The Audit Committees review included a
discussion with management and the independent auditor of the quality (not merely the
acceptability) of the Companys accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant estimates
and judgments, and the disclosures in the Companys financial statements, including the disclosures
relating to critical accounting policies.
The Audit Committee recognizes the importance of maintaining the independence of the Companys
independent auditor, both in fact and appearance. The Audit Committee has evaluated BDOs
qualifications, performance, and independence, including that of the lead audit partner. As part of
its auditor engagement process, the Audit Committee considers whether to rotate the independent
audit firm. The Audit Committee has established a policy pursuant to which all services, audit and
non-audit, provided by the independent auditor must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee or its
delegate. The Companys pre-approval policy is more fully described in this proxy statement under
the caption Policy for pre-approval of audit and non-audit services. The Audit Committee has
concluded that provision of the non-audit services described in that section is compatible with
maintaining the independence of BDO. In addition, BDO has provided the Audit Committee with the
letter required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with
Audit Committees, and the Audit Committee has engaged in dialogue with BDO regarding their
independence.
Based on the above-described review, written disclosures, letter and discussions, the Audit
Committee recommended to the Board of Directors of the Company that the audited financial
statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006 be included in the Companys Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Dated
October 25, 2006
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
A. Charles Wilson, Chairman
Jason T. Adelman
Richard M. Horowitz
4
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, Messrs. Horowitz and Adelman, as non-employee
directors, each received quarterly fees in an amount equal to $1,500 for each Board meeting
attended and $1,000 for each Audit Committee meeting attended, and an annual fee of $5,000. The
Compensation Committee meeting is usually held following the Audit Committee meeting. Hence, no
additional fees are paid to the committee members for attendance thereat. Mr. Wilson, as a
non-employee director, Chairman of the Board, Chair of the Audit Committee and Chair of the
Compensation Committee, received quarterly fees in an amount equal to $12,500 for each quarter in
which he attended a Board meeting. The directors were also reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses
incurred in attending meetings. The Company believes that the director fees paid to its directors
were substantially less than the fees paid to directors of comparable public companies.
Each of our directors is entitled to participate in our 1998 Director Stock Option Plan (the
Directors Plan) and receives automatic annual grants of options to purchase shares of our Common
Stock. On July 7, 2005, pursuant to those automatic grant provisions, each of Messrs. Horowitz and
Adelman were automatically granted an option to purchase 5,000 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $3.75 per share and each of Messrs. Wilson and Yong were automatically granted an
option to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $3.75 per share. All
options vested immediately upon grant and will terminate five years from the date of grant unless
terminated sooner upon termination of the optionees status as a director or otherwise pursuant to
the Directors Plan. The exercise price under the options was set at 100% of fair market value (as
defined in the Directors Plan) of the Companys Common Stock on the date of grant of each such
option. On September 22, 2006, in recognition of the contributions from the directors and the fact
that our directors fees are substantially less than those paid to directors of comparable public
companies, the Compensation Committee agreed that at the end of each fiscal year, the Compensation
Committee will consider a cash bonus for directors. On December 2, 2005, the Board of Directors
terminated the Directors Plan due to the cost of such compensation exceeding the benefits.
On September 22, 2005, the Compensation Committee approved the payment of the following
bonuses to all the directors based on the sale of the Ireland property. While Mr. Yong was already
entitled to a bonus in his capacity as an officer of the Company, he agreed to take his bonus based
on profits from the Ireland sale on an after-tax basis rather than a bonus on pre-tax profits of
the Company for the year as called for under his bonus arrangement.
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Principal Position |
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Basis of bonuses pay-out |
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A. Charles Wilson
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Director
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2.5% on the net proceeds on sale
of the Ireland property |
S.W. Yong
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Director
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5.0% on the net proceeds on sale
of the Ireland property |
Richard M. Horowitz
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Director
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One-time fixed payment of $40,000 |
Jason T. Adelman
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Director
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One-time fixed payment of $40,000 |
VOTE REQUIRED FOR ELECTION
The four persons receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as
directors of the Company. Votes against a nominee or withheld from voting (whether by abstention,
broker non-votes or otherwise) will have no legal effect on the vote.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Mr. Victor H. M. Ting, age 52, first joined Trio-Tech as the Financial Controller for the
Companys Singapore subsidiary in 1980. He was promoted to the level of Business Manager from
1985-1989. In December 1989 he became the Director of Finance and Sales & Marketing and later, the
General Manager of the Singapore subsidiary. Mr. Ting was elected Vice-President and Chief
Financial Officer of Trio-Tech International in November 1992. Mr. Ting holds a Bachelor of
Accountancy Degree and Masters Degree in Business Administration.
Mr. Hwee Poh Lim, age 47, joined Trio-Tech in 1982 and became the Quality Assurance Manager in
1985. He was promoted to the position of Operations Manager in 1988. In 1990 he was promoted to
Business Manager and was responsible for the Malaysian operations in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Mr.
Lim became the General Manager of the Companys Malaysia subsidiary in 1991. In February 1993, all
test facilities in Southeast Asia came under Mr. Lims responsibility. He holds diplomas in
Electronics & Communications and Industrial Management and a Masters Degree in Business
Administration. He was elected Corporate Vice-President-Testing in July 1998.
5
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION AND RELATED MATTERS
The following table sets forth the compensation of the Company for its Chief Executive Officer
and each executive officer whose total annual salary and bonus for the fiscal year ended June 30,
2006 exceeded in the aggregate $100,000 (the Named Executive Officers):
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SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE |
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Long-Term |
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Annual Compensation |
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Compensation |
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All |
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Securities |
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Other |
Name and Principal |
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Fiscal |
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Underlying |
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Compensation |
Position |
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Year |
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Salary ($) |
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Bonus ($) |
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Options (#) |
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($) (1) |
S.W. Yong, |
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2006 |
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221,592 |
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478,594 |
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10,000 |
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12,289 |
(2) |
President and |
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2005 |
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219,364 |
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19,664 |
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10,000 |
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13,352 |
(2) |
Chief Executive Officer |
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2004 |
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212,037 |
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14,400 |
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10,000 |
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14,074 |
(2) |
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Victor H.M. Ting, |
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2006 |
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118,263 |
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95,719 |
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0 |
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4,480 |
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Vice President and |
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2005 |
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117,276 |
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3,933 |
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10,000 |
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4,688 |
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Chief Financial Officer |
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2004 |
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111,139 |
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2,880 |
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7,000 |
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4,984 |
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H. P. Lim |
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2006 |
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83,294 |
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26,843 |
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0 |
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5,335 |
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Vice President -Testing |
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2005 |
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81,272 |
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13,817 |
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0 |
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4,688 |
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2004 |
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77,578 |
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6,728 |
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5,000 |
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4,984 |
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(1) |
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Singapore officers are also credited with a compulsory contribution to their central
provident fund at a certain percentage of their base salaries in accordance with Singapore
law, except for bonuses in this context. The compulsory contribution of Singapore officers
ranged from 1.6% to 6.4% for the past three fiscal years. |
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(2) |
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Includes $8,810 in premiums on life insurance policy paid by the Company. The full
cost of the remaining premiums to be paid by the Company under this policy is approximately
$18,335 (29,024 Singapore dollars, based on the spot exchange rates published in Federal
Reserve on June 30, 2006). |
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Companys 1998 Stock Option Plan (the 1998 Plan) was approved by the Board on September
30, 1997 and the shareholders on December 8, 1997. The purpose of the 1998 Plan was to enable the
Company to attract and retain top-quality employees, officers, directors and consultants and to
provide them with an incentive to enhance shareholder return. On December 2, 2005, the Board of
Directors terminated the 1998 plan due to the cost of such compensation exceeding the benefits.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, the Company did not grant any options under the 1998
Plan.
Pursuant to the terms of the Directors Plan, options covering an aggregate of 30,000 were
issued to the four directors of the Company on July 7, 2005.
The following table contains certain information regarding the option granted to Mr. Yong
under the Directors Plan during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, there having been no options
granted to the other Named Executive Officers during that fiscal year:
6
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL 2006 (DIRECTORS PLAN)
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INDIVIDUAL GRANTS |
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Potential Realizable Value |
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at Assumed Annual Rates of |
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% of Total Options |
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Stock Price Appreciation for |
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Number of Securities |
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Granted to |
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Option Term |
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Underlying Options |
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Employees in |
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Exercise |
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Name |
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Granted |
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Fiscal Year |
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Price ($/sh) |
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Expiration Date |
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5% ($) |
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10% ($) |
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S. W. Yong |
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10,000 |
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33.00 |
% |
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$ |
3.75 |
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07/07/2010 |
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$ |
10,361 |
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$ |
22,894 |
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The following table contains certain information regarding options exercised by the Named
Executive Officers during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006.
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL 2006
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
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Number of |
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Securities |
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Underlying |
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Value of Unexercised |
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Unexercised |
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In-The-Money |
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Shares |
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Options at FY-End |
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Options at FY-End |
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Acquired |
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Value |
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(#) |
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($) |
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On Exercise |
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Realized |
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Exercisable/ |
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Exercisable/ |
Name |
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(#) |
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($) |
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Unexercisable |
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Unexercisable |
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S.W. Yong |
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50,000 |
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157,800 |
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0 / 0 |
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0 / 0 |
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Victor H.M. Ting |
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27,500 |
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94,315 |
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0 / 4,500 |
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0 / 16,755 |
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H.P. Lim |
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18,750 |
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57,975 |
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0 / 1,250 |
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0 / 3,325 |
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7
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Role and Composition of the Committee
The Compensation Committee discharges the Boards responsibilities relating to compensation of
the Companys executive officers, including reviewing the competitiveness of executive compensation
programs, evaluating the performance of the Companys executive officers, and approving their
annual compensation. The Committee reviews and approves the Chief Executive Officers goals and
objectives, evaluates the Chief Executive Officers performance, and sets the Chief Executive
Officers compensation. The specific responsibilities and functions of the Compensation Committee
are delineated in the Compensation Committee Charter.
Compensation Philosophy and Practice
The Company operates in a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry. The key objectives
of the Companys executive compensation programs are to attract, motivate, and retain executives
who drive Trio-Techs success and industry leadership.
Components of Executive Compensation
The compensation program presently in effect at Trio-Tech International has two elements: (1)
base annual salary; and (2) potential annual cash incentive awards that are based primarily on
financial performance of the Company or its relevant business operating units.
Base salary
In determining the compensation levels for the top executive officers, namely the Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the Committee reviewed compensation policies of
other companies comparable in size to and within substantially the same industry as Trio-Tech.
There were several factors that the Committee considered while evaluating the annual
performance of the top executive officers. The Committee reviewed the actual performance for the
year against budget and forecast. Besides the measurement against financial performance, the
Committee reviewed whether the top executive officers achieved their long-term and short-term
objectives, such as keeping costs low. However, the measurement was subjective as the Committee
also took into consideration the overall market conditions.
The fiscal year 2006 base cash compensation for officers of the Company who reside in
Singapore was denominated in the currency of Singapore. The exchange rate therefore was
established as of June 30, 2006 and was computed to be 1.65 Singapore dollars to each U.S. dollar.
Singapore executive officers base salaries are credited with a compulsory contribution ranging
from 1.6% to 6.4% of base salary under Singapores provident pension fund.
Bonuses
In September 2005, The Compensation Committee approved the bonus formula for the Chief
Executive Officer, as intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. The 2006
bonus formula for the Chief Executive Officer was based on 5% of pre-tax profits of the Companys
overall performance. Such arrangements depend solely on the profitable results in the Company
during the fiscal year.
On September 22, 2005, the Compensation Committee approved the payment of the following
bonuses to all the executive officers based on the sale of the Ireland property. This bonus for the
Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer was already part of their original bonuses.
Both, however, agreed to reduce the same by taking their bonus based profits on the Ireland sale on
an after-tax basis rather than what their bonus plan called for.
8
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Name |
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Principal Position |
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Basis of bonuses pay-out |
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S.W. Yong
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Chief Executive Officer
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5.0% on the net proceeds on
sale of the Ireland property |
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Victor H.M. Ting
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Chief Financial Officer
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1.0% on the net proceeds on
sale of the Ireland property |
The Compensation Committee also considered awarding additional discretionary annual cash
bonuses to its executive officers based primarily on the Companys overall performance and, to a
lesser extent, the contribution each executive made to the Companys success, and directed the
Singapore subsidiary to formulate and grant the performance bonuses.
Stock options
Under the 1998 Stock Option Plan (the 1998 Plan), the Compensation Committee may grant
options to purchase Common Stock to employees of the Company, including executive officers. Option
grants have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the grant date
and become exercisable over a period of time or if the Company attains specified levels of economic
profit or earnings per share. It is the Compensation Committees policy that the vesting schedules
for option grants be predominantly performance based, with appropriately aggressive vesting
targets. Generally, the Compensation Committee considers the making of option grants on an annual
basis. The number of options awarded are generally determined based upon managements
recommendation and are based upon the position held by an executive, that executives performance
and contributions to the Company over the prior year and the executives expected future
contribution.
During fiscal 2006, the Compensation Committee did not grant any stock options to any
employees, including the Named Executive Officers, under the 1998 Plan.
Chief Executive Officers compensation
Mr. Yongs base annual salary remained the same in the currency of Singapore, which was based
on market data for chief executive officers in similarly sized companies or in similar industries.
The variance in his base salary as compared to fiscal 2005 was due to the appreciation of Singapore
dollars against U.S. dollars. Base salary was also credited with a compulsory contribution under
Singapores central provident fund (CPF). On July 7, 2005, pursuant to the terms of the Directors
Plan, Mr. Yong was granted a five-year option to acquire, at $3.75 per share, 10,000 shares of
Common Stock, which option vested in full on the grant date. As an additional part of the Chief
Executive Officers compensation package, the Company assumed responsibility for payment of the
premiums midway through the 22-year term life insurance policy on the life of the Chief Executive
Officer. The Company is not the beneficiary under such policy and it is anticipated that the Chief
Executive Officer will be entitled to the cash surrender value of the policy at the end of the
policy in 2009. The remaining premiums thereunder are approximately $18,335 (29,024 Singapore
dollars, based on the spot exchange rates published in Federal Reserve on June 30, 2006).
9
In September 2005, the Compensation Committee established two bonus formulae for Mr. Yong, one
being 5% of pre-tax profits for the Companys overall performance and one being 5% of the after-tax
profits on the sale of the Ireland property. As a result, Mr. Yong received bonuses of $478,594 for
fiscal 2006, of which $67,605 represented his bonus for the Companys overall performance from
continuing operations, excluding the sale of the Ireland property, and $410,989 represented his
bonus with respect to the sale of the Ireland property.
Dated
October 25, 2006
THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
A. Charles Wilson, Chairman
Jason T. Adelman
Richard M. Horowitz
10
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, the Compensation Committee members consisted of
Messrs. Jason T. Adelman, Richard M. Horowitz and A. Charles Wilson, Chairman. During that fiscal
year, Mr. Wilson served as (and continues to serve as) a non-employee officer of the Company. Mr.
Wilson previously served as an employee officer of the Company from 1981 to 1989.
STOCK PRICE PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The Stock Price Performance Graph below shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any
general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent the
Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed
filed under such securities acts.
The graph below compares cumulative total shareholder return of the Common Stock of the
Company with that of the Standard & Poors 500 Index and the AMEX Composite Index for the five-year
period ending June 30, 2006.
11
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of October 20, 2006, certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by (i) all persons known by the Company to be the
beneficial owners of more than 5% of its Common Stock, (ii) each of the directors of the Company,
(iii) each of the Named Executive Officers who is not a director and (iv) all executive officers
and directors of the Company as a group. To the knowledge of the Company, unless otherwise
indicated, each of the shareholders has sole voting and investment power with respect to shares
beneficially owned, subject to applicable community property and similar statutes.
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Shares Owned |
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Beneficially as of |
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Name (1) |
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October 20, 2006 (1) |
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|
Percent of Class (1) |
|
S.W. Yong |
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|
335,068 |
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|
10.38 |
% |
A. Charles Wilson |
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|
207,608 |
(2) |
|
|
6.43 |
% |
Richard M. Horowitz |
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185,601 |
(3) |
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|
5.75 |
% |
Victor H.M. Ting |
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|
83,177 |
(4) |
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|
2.58 |
% |
Jason Adelman |
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|
15,000 |
|
|
|
0.46 |
% |
H.P. Lim |
|
|
21,920 |
(5) |
|
|
0.68 |
% |
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|
|
|
All Directors and Executive
Officers as a group (6 persons) |
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|
848,374 |
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|
26.28 |
% |
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|
|
|
|
|
Zeff Daniel |
|
|
362,900 |
(6) |
|
|
11.24 |
% |
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|
|
(1) |
|
The percentage shown for each individual and for all executive
officers and directors as a group is based upon 3,227,492 shares
outstanding. The number of shares indicated and the percentage shown for
each individual assumes the exercise of options that are presently
exercisable or may become exercisable within 60 days from October 27, 2006
which are held by that individual or by all executive officers and directors
as a group, as the case may be. The address for each of the directors and
executive officers above is in care of the Company at 14731 Califa Street,
Van Nuys, California 91411. |
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(2) |
|
The shares are either held directly or in a trust for which Mr.
Wilson serves as trustee |
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(3) |
|
Does not include 4,600 shares deemed to be held indirectly through
an IRA of Mr. Horowitzs spouse. Mr. Horowitz disclaims beneficial
ownership of the shares held in such IRA. The shares indicated above are
held indirectly in a living trust of which Mr. Horowitz and his spouse are
trustees and beneficiaries. |
|
(4) |
|
Includes options to purchase an aggregate of 3,125 shares from the
Company at exercise prices ranging from $2.66 to $4.40 per share. |
|
(5) |
|
Includes an option to purchase 1,250 shares from the Company at an
exercise price of $2.66 per share. |
|
(6) |
|
Based on the Form 4 filed by Daniel Zeff on October 16. Based on
such filing, Mr. Zeff does not directly own any shares of Common Stock, but
indirectly owns 362,900 shares of Common stock in his capacity as the sole
manager and member of Zeff Holding Company, LLC, A Delaware liability
company, which in turn serves as the general partner for Zeff Capital
Partners I, L.P., a Delaware Limited Partnership. Mr. Zeff also provides
discretionary investment management services to Zeff Capital Offshore Fund,
a class of shares of Spectrum Galaxy Fund Ltd, a company incorporated in the
British Virgin Islands, reporting the power to vote or direct the vote of
over 362,900 shares and the power to dispose or direct the
disposition of 362,900 shares. The address of Daniel Zeff is c/o Zeff Holding
Company, LLC 50 California Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94111. |
The Company does not know of any arrangements that may at a subsequent date result in a change of
control of the Company.
12
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires that directors, certain officers of the Company and
ten percent shareholders file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC as to the
Companys securities beneficially owned by them. Such persons are also required by SEC rules to
furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on its review of copies of such forms received by the Company, or on written
representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that all Section 16(a) filing
requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners
were complied with during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2006, except for one Form 4 filed late for
each of the following directors of the Company: A. Charles Wilson, S.W. Yong, Richard M. Horowitz
and Jason Adelman. Each of these late filings reported one transaction. In addition, there was one
Form 4 filed late by one of the executive officers of the Company, Mr. Victor H. M. Ting, which
filing reported one transaction.
13
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
On July 10, 2006, BDO Seidman, LLP was reappointed as the principal accountant to audit the
Companys financial statements, and has audited such statements for each of the fiscal years ended
June 30, 2006 and June 30, 2005. A representative of BDO is expected to be present at the Annual
Meeting and will have an opportunity to make statements and respond to appropriate questions. In
fiscal 2006, Ernst & Young was selected for tax advice relating to the sale of the Ireland
property.
The Audit Committee has selected BDO as the independent registered public accounting firm for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 2007.
The following table shows the fees that we paid or accrued for audit and other services provided by
BDO Seidman LLP and Ernst & Young LLP for fiscal years 2006 and 2005. All of the services described
in the following fee table were approved in conformity with the Audit Committees pre-approval
process.
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2006 |
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2005 |
|
Audit Fees |
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200,500 |
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|
134,000 |
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Audit-Related Fees |
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15,000 |
|
Tax Fees |
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55,410 |
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26,000 |
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All Other Fees |
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255,910 |
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175,000 |
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Audit Fees
The amounts set forth opposite Audit Fees above reflect the aggregate fees billed or to be
billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Companys fiscal 2006 and fiscal
2005 annual financial statements and for the review of the financial statements included in the
Companys quarterly reports during such periods.
Audit-Related Fees
The amounts set forth opposite Audit-Related Fees above reflect the aggregate fees billed
for the audit of the newly acquired testing operation for SEC disclosure purposes for fiscal 2005.
There was no such service required or rendered for fiscal 2006. There were no other fees paid to
BDO for assurance or related services.
Tax Fees
The amounts set forth opposite Tax Fees above reflect the aggregate fees billed for fiscal
2006 and fiscal 2005 for professional services rendered for tax compliance and return preparation.
The compliance and return preparation services consisted of the preparation of original and amended
tax returns and support during the income tax audit or inquiries. During fiscal 2006, tax fees
included $12,000 paid to Ernst & Young LLP for tax advice relating to the sale of the Ireland
property, and $18,000 paid to BDO for foreign tax credit analysis.
All Other Fees
No fees were paid to BDO or Ernst & Young in either of the last two fiscal years for products
or services rendered in such years, other than those described above.
14
POLICY FOR PRE-APPROVAL OF AUDIT AND NON-AUDIT SERVICES
The Audit Committees policy is to pre-approve all audit services and all non-audit services
that our independent accountants are permitted to perform for us under applicable federal
securities regulations. The Audit Committees policy utilizes an annual review and general
pre-approval of certain categories of specified services that may be provided by the independent
accountant, up to pre-determined fee levels. Any proposed services not qualifying as a pre-approved
specified service, and pre-approved services exceeding the pre-determined fee levels, require
further specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has delegated to the
Chairman of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve audit and non-audit services proposed
to be performed by the independent accountants. Since June 30, 2004, all services provided by BDO
required pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The policy has not been waived in any instance.
ADDITIONAL MEETING INFORMATION
Shareholder Proposals
Shareholders who wish to present proposals at the Annual Meeting to be held following the end
of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2007 should submit their proposals in writing to the Secretary of
the Company at the address set forth on the first page of this Proxy Statement. Proposals must be
received no later than July 13, 2007 for inclusion in next years Proxy Statement and Proxy Card.
If a shareholder intends to present a proposal at the next Annual Meeting but does not seek
inclusion of that proposal in the Proxy Statement for that meeting, the holders of proxies for that
meeting will be entitled to exercise their discretionary authority on that proposal if the Company
does not have notice of the proposal by September 22, 2007.
Proxy Solicitation
The cost of soliciting the enclosed form of Proxy will be borne by the Company. In addition,
the Company will reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of
shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners. Directors,
officers and regular employees of the Company may, for no additional compensation, also solicit
proxies personally or by telephone, electronic transmission, telegram or special letter.
Annual Report
The Companys Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended June 30, 2006 is being mailed
with this Proxy Statement to shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting. The Annual Report
includes the consolidated financial statements, unaudited selected consolidated financial data and
managements discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations.
Upon the written request of any shareholder, the Company will provide, without charge, a copy
of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission for the year ended June 30,
2006. This request should be directed to the Corporate Secretary, Trio-Tech International, 14731
Califa Street, Van Nuys, California 91411.
OTHER MATTERS
The shareholders and any other persons who would like to communicate with the Board, can
access the website and fill in the contact form for any enquires or information. The form will be
sent directly to the Secretary and the communications for specified individual directors or the
Board will be given to them personally by the Secretary. In addition, the contact number is listed
on the website and the messages will be passed to the Board accordingly.
At this time, the Board knows of no other business that will come before the Annual Meeting.
However, if any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named as Proxy
holders will vote on them in accordance with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors
A. CHARLES WILSON
Chairman
15
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS OF
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL
December 5, 2006
Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.
â Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided. â
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE x
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1. Election of Directors: |
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NOMINEES: |
o
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FOR ALL NOMINEES
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¡ Jason T. Adelman
¡ Richard M. Horowitz |
o
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WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
FOR ALL NOMINEES
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¡ A. Charles Wilson
¡ S.W. Yong |
o
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FOR ALL EXCEPT
(See instructions below) |
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INSTRUCTION: |
|
To withhold authority to vote for
any individual nominee(s), mark FOR ALL EXCEPT and fill
in the circle next to each nominee you wish to withhold, as
shown here: l |
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|
To change the address on your account, please check
the box at right and indicate your new address in
the address space above. Please note that changes to
the registered name(s) on the account may not be
submitted via this method.
|
|
o |
|
2. |
|
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon
such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting
and any adjournment thereof. |
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER
DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION IS
MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS
LISTED IN ITEM 1.
PLEASE MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY IN THE
ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, WHICH REQUIRES NO POSTAGE IF MAILED IN THE UNITED
STATES.
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Signature of Shareholder
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Date:
|
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Signature of Shareholder
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Date:
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Note: |
|
Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held
jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or
guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full
corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. |
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL
Proxy Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company
for Annual Meeting of Shareholders on December 5, 2006
The undersigned hereby appoints S.W. Yong and A. Charles Wilson or either of them as his/her
true lawful agents and proxies with full power of substitution to represent the undersigned at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Trio-Tech International to be held at our principal executive
offices at 14731 Califa Street, Van Nuys, California on Tuesday, December 5, 2006 at 10:00 A.M.
(local time), and at any adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares that he/she is then entitled
to vote, on all matters coming before said meeting. The undersigned directs that his/her proxy be
voted as follows:
(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)