UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of April, 2014
Commission File Number 1-10928
INTERTAPE POLYMER GROUP INC.
9999 Cavendish Blvd., Suite 200, Ville St. Laurent, Quebec, Canada, H4M 2X5
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form 20-F x Form 40-F ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| INTERTAPE POLYMER GROUP INC. | ||||||
| Date: April 24, 2014 | By: | /s/ Gregory A.C. Yull | ||||
| Gregory A.C. Yull, President and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
PURPOSE
This Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) covers a wide range of business practices and procedures. It does not cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide all employees of Intertape Polymer Group Inc. (the “Corporation”). All of our employees must conduct themselves accordingly and seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior. The Code should also be provided to and followed by the Corporation’s agents and representatives, including consultants.
If a law conflicts with a policy in this Code, you must comply with the law; however, if a local custom or policy conflicts with this Code, you must comply with the Code. If you have any questions about these conflicts, you should ask your supervisor how to handle the situation.
Those who violate the standards in this Code will be subject to disciplinary action. If you are in a situation which you believe may violate or lead to a violation of this Code, follow the guidelines described in Section 14 of this Code.
| 1. | Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations |
Obeying the law, both in letter and in spirit, is the foundation on which the Corporation’s ethical standards are built. All employees must respect and obey the laws of the cities, provinces, states and countries in which we operate. Although not all employees are expected to know the details of these laws, it is important to know enough to determine when to seek advice from supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel.
The Corporation holds information and training sessions to promote compliance with laws, rules and regulations, including insider-trading laws.
| 2. | Conflicts of Interest |
A “conflict of interest” exists when a person’s private interest interferes in any way with the interests of the Corporation. A conflict situation can arise when an employee, officer or director takes actions or has interests that may make it difficult to perform his or her Corporation work objectively and effectively. Conflicts of interest may also arise when an employee, officer or director, or members of his or her family, receives improper personal benefits as a result of his or her position in the
orporation. Loans to, or guarantees of obligations of, employees and their family members may create conflicts of interest.
It is almost always a conflict of interest for a Corporation employee to work simultaneously for a competitor, customer or supplier. You are not allowed to work for a competitor as a consultant or board member. The best policy is to avoid any direct or indirect business connection with our customers, suppliers or competitors, except on our behalf.
Conflicts of interest are prohibited as a matter of Corporation policy, except under guidelines approved by the Board of Directors. Conflicts of interest may not always be clear-cut, so if you have a question, you should consult with higher levels of management or the Corporation’s legal counsel. Any employee, officer or director who becomes aware of a conflict or potential conflict should bring it to the attention of a supervisor, manager or other appropriate personnel or consult the guidelines described in Section 14 of this Code.
| 3. | Insider Trading |
Employees who have access to confidential information are not permitted to use or share that information for stock trading purposes or for any other purpose except the conduct of the Corporation’s business. All non-public information about the Corporation should be considered confidential information. To use non-public information for personal financial benefit or to “tip” others who might make an investment decision on the basis of this information is not only unethical but also illegal. If you have any questions, please consult the Corporation’s legal counsel.
| 4. | Corporate Opportunities |
Employees, officers and directors are prohibited from taking for themselves personally opportunities that are discovered through the use of corporate property, information or position without the consent of the Board of Directors. No employee may use corporate property, information, or position for improper personal gain, and no employee may compete with the Corporation directly or indirectly. Employees, officers and directors owe a duty to the Corporation to advance its legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises.
| 5. | Competition and Fair Dealing |
We seek to outperform our competition fairly and honestly. We seek competitive advantages through superior performance, never through unethical or illegal business practices. Stealing proprietary information, possessing trade secret information that was obtained without the owner’s
consent, or inducing such disclosures by past or present employees of other companies is prohibited. Each employee should endeavor to respect the rights of, and deal fairly with, the Corporation’s customers, suppliers, competitors and employees. No employee should take unfair advantage of anyone through manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation of material facts, or any other intentional unfair-dealing practice.
To maintain the Corporation’s valuable reputation, compliance with our quality processes and safety requirements is essential. In the context of ethics, quality requires that our products and services be designed and manufactured to meet our obligations to customers. All inspection and testing documents must be handled in accordance with all applicable regulations.
The purpose of business entertainment and gifts in a commercial setting is to create goodwill and sound working relationships, not to gain unfair advantage with customers. No gift or entertainment should ever be offered, given, provided or accepted by any Corporation employee, family member of an employee or agent unless it: (1) is not a cash gift, (2) is consistent with customary business practices, (3) is not excessive in value, (4) cannot be construed as a bribe or payoff and (5) does not violate any laws or regulations. Please discuss with your supervisor any gifts or proposed gifts which you are not certain are appropriate.
| 6. | Discrimination and Harassment |
The diversity of the Corporation’s employees is a tremendous asset. We are firmly committed to providing equal opportunity in all aspects of employment and will not tolerate any illegal discrimination or harassment of any kind. Examples include derogatory comments based on racial or ethnic characteristics and unwelcome sexual advances.
| 7. | Health and Safety |
The Corporation strives to provide each employee with a safe and healthy work environment. Each employee has responsibility for maintaining a safe and healthy workplace for all employees by following safety and health rules and practices and reporting accidents, injuries and unsafe equipment, practices or conditions.
Violence and threatening behavior are not permitted. Employees should report to work in condition to perform their duties, free from the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. The use of illegal drugs in the workplace will not be tolerated.
| 8. | Record-Keeping |
The Corporation requires honest and accurate recording and reporting of information in order to make responsible business decisions. For example, only the true and actual number of hours worked should be reported.
Many employees regularly use business expense accounts, which must be documented and recorded accurately. If you are not sure whether a certain expense is legitimate, ask your supervisor or your controller. Rules and guidelines are available from the Accounting Department.
All of the Corporation’s books, records, accounts and financial statements must be maintained in reasonable detail, must appropriately reflect the Corporation’s transactions and must conform both to applicable legal requirements and to the Corporation’s system of internal controls. Unrecorded or “off the books” funds or assets should not be maintained unless permitted by applicable law or regulation.
Business records and communications often become public, and we should avoid exaggeration, derogatory remarks, guesswork, or inappropriate characterizations of people and companies that can be misunderstood. This applies equally to e-mail, internal memos, and formal reports. Records should always be retained or destroyed according to the Corporation’s record retention policies. In accordance with those policies, in the event of litigation or governmental investigation, please consult the Corporation’s legal counsel.
| 9. | Confidentiality |
Employees must maintain the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by the Corporation or its customers, except when disclosure is authorized by the Corporation’s legal counsel or required by laws or regulations. Confidential information includes all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or harmful to the Corporation or its customers, if disclosed. It also includes information that suppliers and customers have entrusted to us. The obligation to preserve confidential information continues even after employment ends.
| 10. | Protection and Proper Use of Corporation Assets |
All employees should endeavor to protect the Corporation’s assets and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness, and waste have a direct impact on the Corporation’s profitability. Any suspected incident of fraud or theft should be immediately reported for investigation. The Corporation’s equipment should not be used for non-Corporation business, though incidental personal use may be permitted.
The obligation of employees to protect the Corporation’s assets includes its proprietary information. Proprietary information includes intellectual property such as trade secrets, patents, trademarks, and copyrights, as well as business, marketing and service plans, engineering and manufacturing ideas, designs, databases, records, salary information and any unpublished financial data and reports. Unauthorized use or distribution of this information would violate Corporation policy. It could also be illegal and result in civil or even criminal penalties.
| 11. | Payments to Government Personnel |
The Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act and the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibit giving anything of value, directly or indirectly, to officials of foreign governments or foreign political candidates in order to obtain or retain business. It is strictly prohibited to make illegal payments to government officials of any country.
In addition, the Canadian and U.S. governments have a number of laws and regulations regarding business gratuities, which may be accepted by government personnel. The promise, offer or delivery to an official or employee of the Canadian or U.S. government of a gift, favor or other gratuity in violation of these rules would not only violate Corporation policy but could also be a criminal offense. Provincial, state and local governments, as well as foreign governments, may have similar rules. The Corporation’s legal counsel can provide guidance to you in this area.
| 12. | Waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics |
Any waiver of this Code for executive officers or directors may be made only by the Board or a Board committee and will be promptly disclosed as required by law or stock exchange regulation.
| 13. | Reporting any Illegal or Unethical Behavior |
Employees are encouraged to talk to supervisors, managers or other appropriate personnel about observed illegal or unethical behavior and when in doubt about the best course of action in a particular situation. It is the policy of the Corporation not to allow retaliation for reports of misconduct by others made in good faith by employees. Employees are expected to cooperate in internal investigations of misconduct.
| 14. | Compliance Procedures |
We must all work to ensure prompt and consistent action against violations of this Code. However, in some situations it is difficult to know right from wrong. Since we cannot anticipate every situation that will
arise, it is important that we have a way to approach a new question or problem. These are the steps to keep in mind:
| • | Make sure you have all the facts. In order to reach the right solutions, we must be as fully informed as possible. |
| • | Ask yourself: “What specifically am I being asked to do?” Does it seem unethical or improper? This will enable you to focus on the specific question you are faced with, and the alternatives you have. Use your judgment and common sense; if something seems unethical or improper, it probably is. |
| • | Clarify your responsibility and role. In most situations, there is shared responsibility. |
| • | Are your colleagues informed? It may help to get others involved and discuss the problem. |
| • | Discuss the problem with your supervisor. This is the basic guidance for all situations. In many cases, your supervisor will be more knowledgeable about the question, and will appreciate being brought into the decision-making process. Remember that it is your supervisor’s responsibility to help solve problems. |
Seek help from Corporation resources. In the rare case where it may not be appropriate to discuss an issue with your supervisor or where you do not feel comfortable approaching your supervisor with your question, discuss it locally with your office manager or your Human Resources manager. If that also is not appropriate, report violations and submit complaints and obtain information, advice and suggestions confidentially and anonymously by phone or web provided by an independent third-party service provider. Confidentiality will be maintained to the fullest extent possible and information will only be shared on a “need-to-know” basis, consistent with the need to conduct an adequate review.
Phone. The IPG Business Conduct and Ethics Hotline can be reached by calling (855) 446-0923.
Web. You may also report online using a web form at the link provided below. The report processing and escalation to the appropriate IPG contact is the same as when you call the IPG Business Conduct and Ethics Hotline. When you submit a report online, you may also choose to remain anonymous.
https://www.reportlineweb.com/intertape
You may report ethical violations in confidence and without fear of retaliation. If your situation requires that your identity be kept secret, your anonymity will be protected. The Corporation does not permit retaliation of any kind against employees for good faith reports of ethical violations.
Always ask first, act later. If you are unsure of what to do in any situation, seek guidance before you act.
