Notice convening the Annual General Meeting of AB Electrolux
The shareholders of AB Electrolux are invited to participate in the Annual General Meeting to be held on Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 5 p.m. at the Stockholm Waterfront Congress Centre, Nils Ericsons Plan 4, Stockholm, Sweden.
Registration and notification
Shareholders who wish to participate in the Annual General Meeting must
- be recorded in the share register kept by Euroclear Sweden AB on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, and
- give notice of intent to participate to the company not later than on Wednesday, March 21, 2012.
Notice of intent to participate can be given on the Group’s web site, www.electrolux.com/agm2012, by telephone +46-8-402 92 79 on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or by letter to AB Electrolux, c/o Euroclear Sweden AB, Box 191, 101 23 Stockholm, Sweden.
Please include in the notice name, personal or organization identification number, address, telephone number and the number of assistants attending (if any). Shareholders represented by proxy should submit the proxy to the company prior to the Annual General Meeting. Proxy forms in Swedish and English are available on the Group’s web site, www.electrolux.com/agm2012.
Shareholders that have their shares registered in the name of a nominee must, in addition to giving notice of participation in the meeting, temporarily be recorded in the share register in their own names (so called voting-rights registration) to be able to participate in the General Meeting. In order for such registration to be effectuated on Wednesday, March 21, 2012, shareholders should contact their bank or trustee well in advance of that date.
Agenda
1. Election of Chairman of the Meeting.
2. Preparation and approval of the voting list.
3. Approval of the agenda.
4. Election of two minutes-checkers.
5. Determination as to whether the meeting has been properly convened.
6. Presentation of the Annual Report and the Audit Report as well as the Consolidated Accounts and the Audit Report for the Group.
7. Speech by the President, Keith McLoughlin.
8. Resolution on adoption of the Income Statement and the Balance Sheet as well as the Consolidated Income Statement and the Consolidated Balance Sheet.
9. Resolution on discharge from liability of the Directors and the President.
10. Resolution on dispositions in respect of the company’s profit pursuant to the adopted Balance Sheet and determination of record date for dividend.
11. Determination of the number of Directors and Deputy Directors. In connection therewith, report on the work of the nomination committee.
12. Determination of fee to the Board of Directors.
13. Election of Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board of Directors.
14. Proposal for resolution on remuneration guidelines for the Electrolux Group Management.
15. Proposal for resolution on implementation of a performance based, long-term incentive program for 2012.
16. Proposal for resolutions on
a) acquisition of own shares,
b) transfer of own shares on account of company acquisitions, and
c) transfer of own shares on account of the proposed long-term incentive program for 2012.
17. Closing of the meeting.
Dividend and record date (item 10)
The Board of Directors proposes a dividend for 2011 of SEK 6.50 per share and Friday, March 30, 2012, as record date for the dividend. Subject to resolution by the General Meeting in accordance with this proposal, dividend is expected to be distributed by Euroclear Sweden AB on Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
Chairman of the Meeting and number of Directors (items 1 and 11)
The Electrolux nomination committee, consisting of the Chairman Petra Hedengran, Investor AB, and the members Kaj Thorén, Alecta, Marianne Nilsson, Swedbank Robur funds, Ingrid Bonde, AMF, Marcus Wallenberg and Peggy Bruzelius, Chairman and Deputy Chairman, respectively, of the Board of Directors of the company, proposes:
- Sven Unger, member of the Swedish Bar Association, as chairman of the Annual General Meeting.
- 9 Directors and no Deputy Directors.
Fee to the Board of Directors (item 12)
The nomination committee proposes Directors’ fees as follows:
- SEK 1,650,000 to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, SEK 575,000 to the Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors and SEK 500,000 to each of the other Directors appointed by the Annual General Meeting not employed by Electrolux; and
- for committee work, to the members who are appointed by the Board of Directors: SEK 200,000 to the Chairman of the audit committee and SEK 85,000 to each of the other members of the committee and SEK 120,000 to the Chairman of the remuneration committee and SEK 55,000 to each of the other members of the committee.
Election of the Board of Directors and Chairman of the Board (item 13)
Peggy Bruzelius and John S. Lupo have declined re-election. In these circumstances, the nomination committee proposes:
- Re-election of the Directors Marcus Wallenberg, Lorna Davis, Hasse Johansson, Keith McLoughlin, Ulrika Saxon, Torben Ballegaard Sørensen and Barbara Milian Thoralfsson, and new election of Ronnie Leten and Fredrik Persson.
- Marcus Wallenberg as Chairman of the Board of Directors.
Remuneration guidelines for the Electrolux Group Management (item 14)
The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting approve guidelines for remuneration and other terms of employment for the Electrolux Group Management on the following terms:
The guidelines set forth herein shall apply to the remuneration and other terms of employment for the President and CEO and other members of Group Management of Electrolux (Group Management). Group Management currently comprises thirteen executives.
The principles shall be applied for employment agreements entered into after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in 2012 and for changes made to existing employment agreements thereafter.
Remuneration for the President and CEO is resolved upon by the AB Electrolux Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of the Remuneration Committee. Changes in remuneration for other members of Group Management is resolved upon by the Remuneration Committee and reported to the Board of Directors.
Note 27 of the Annual Report includes a detailed description of existing remuneration arrangements for Group Management, including fixed and variable compensation, long-term incentive programs and other benefits.
Guidelines
Electrolux shall strive to offer total remuneration that is fair and competitive in relation to the country of employment or region of each Group Management member. The remuneration terms shall emphasize ‘pay for performance’, and vary with the performance of the individual and the Group. The total remuneration for Group Management can comprise the components as are set forth hereafter.
Fixed compensation
Annual Base Salary (ABS) shall be competitive relative to the relevant country market and reflect the scope of the job responsibilities. Salary levels shall be reviewed periodically (usually annually) to ensure continued competitiveness and to recognize individual performance.
Variable compensation
Following the ‘pay for performance’ principle, variable compensation shall represent a significant portion of the total compensation opportunity for Group Management. Variable compensation shall always be measured against pre-defined targets and have a maximum above which no pay out shall be made.
The targets shall principally relate to financial performance, for shorter (up to 1 year) or longer (3 years or longer) periods.
Non-financial targets may also be used in order to strengthen the focus on delivering on the Group’s strategic plans or to clarify that an own investment in Electrolux shares or other commitment is required. The targets shall be specific, clear, measurable and time bound and be determined by the Board of Directors.
Short Term Incentive (STI)
Group Management members shall participate in an STI plan under which they may receive variable compensation. The objectives in the STI plan shall mainly be financial. These shall be set based on annual financial performance of the Group and, for the sector heads, of the sector for which the Group Management member is responsible.
The maximum STI entitlements shall be dependent on job position and may amount up to a maximum of 100 per cent of ABS. Reflecting market norms, the STI entitlement for a Group Management member in the USA may amount up to a maximum of 150 per cent of ABS if the maximum performance level is reached.
STI payments for 2012 are estimated (estimation made on the assumption that Group Management is unchanged) to range between no payout at minimum level and MSEK 56.3 at maximum level.
Long Term Incentive (LTI)
Each year, the Board of Directors will evaluate whether or not a long-term incentive program shall be proposed to the General Meeting. Long-term incentive programs shall always be designed with the aim to further enhance the common interest of participating employees and Electrolux shareholders of a good long-term development for Electrolux.
Cost for LTI awards for 2012 are estimated (estimation made on the assumption that Group Management is unchanged) to range between MSEK 15 at minimum level and MSEK 195 at maximum level. For information on the long-term incentive program proposed for 2012, please refer to the Board’s separate proposal.
Extraordinary arrangements
Other variable compensation may be approved in extraordinary circumstances, under the conditions that such extraordinary arrangement shall, in addition to the target requirements set out above, be made for recruitment or retention purposes, are agreed on an individual basis, shall never exceed three (3) times the ABS and shall be earned and/or paid out in installments over a minimum of two (2) years.
Cost for extraordinary arrangements during 2011 equals to MSEK 3.2. Extraordinary arrangements which have not yet been paid out are estimated to amount to approximately MSEK 12.
Insurable Benefits
Old age pension, disability benefits and medical benefits shall be designed to reflect home country practices and requirements. When possible, pension plans shall be based on defined contribution. In individual cases, depending on tax and/or social security legislation to which the individual is subject, other schemes and mechanisms for pension benefits may be approved.
Other Benefits
Other benefits may be provided on individual level or to the entire Group Management. These benefits shall not constitute a material portion of total remuneration.
Notice of Termination and Severance Pay
The notice period shall be twelve months if Electrolux takes the initiative and six months if the Group Management member takes the initiative.
In individual cases, severance arrangements may be approved in addition to the notice periods. Severance arrangements may only be payable upon Electrolux termination of the employment arrangement or where a Group Management member gives notice as the result of an important change in the working situation, because of which he or she can no longer perform to standard. This may be the case in e.g. the event of a substantial change in ownership of Electrolux in combination with a change in reporting line and/or job scope.
Severance arrangements may provide as a benefit to the individual the continuation of the ABS for a period of up to twelve months following termination of the employment agreement; no other benefits shall be included. These payments shall be reduced with the equivalent value of any income that the individual earns during that period of up to twelve months from other sources, whether from employment or independent activities.
Deviations from the guidelines
The Board of Directors shall be entitled to deviate from these guidelines if special reasons for doing so exist in any individual case.
Implementation of a performance based, long-term incentive program for 2012 (item 15)
The Board of Directors has decided to propose a long-term incentive program for 2012. The Board is convinced that the proposed program will be beneficial to the company’s shareholders as it will contribute to the possibilities to recruit and retain competent employees, is expected to increase the commitment and the motivation of the program participants and will strengthen the participants’ ties to the Electrolux Group and its shareholders.
The Board of Directors proposes, in view of the above, that the Annual General Meeting resolves to implement a performance based, long-term share program for 2012 (the Share Program 2012) with the following principal terms and conditions:
a) The program is proposed to include up to 180 senior managers and key employees of the Electrolux Group, which are divided into five groups; the President and CEO, other members of Group Management and three additional groups for other senior managers and key employees. Invitation to participate in the program shall be provided by Electrolux no later than on May 14, 2012.
b) Participants who accept the invitation to the program shall acquire Electrolux B-shares (Savings Shares) on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm. Savings to acquire shares shall be made in 2012. Investments must be made in at least a minimum amount specified for each participant category, and may not exceed a maximum amount. The minimum investment amount for the CEO and President will be SEK 500,000, for other members of Group Management SEK 180,000 and for the three additional groups the minimum investment amount will be between SEK 135,000 and 67,500. The maximum amount that may be invested under the program shall be 50 per cent higher than the minimum amount for each participant category.
c) In order to qualify for any benefits under the program, participants shall meet certain requirements, including that (i) Savings Shares shall be held at least for the period until January 1, 2015 and that (ii) the participant shall remain employed until such time. Exemptions may be prescribed to these requirements in specific cases, including a participant’s death, disability, retirement or the divestiture of the participant’s employing company from the Electrolux Group.
d) Subject to the requirements in c) each participant shall be entitled to one (1) B‑share in Electrolux (a Matching Share) for each Savings Share he or she has held. Subject to the requirements in c) and the additional performance requirements in item g), each participant will also have the opportunity to receive additional shares (Performance Shares).
e) The Performance Shares shall be based on maximum performance values for each participant category. The maximum performance value for the President and CEO will be SEK 5,000,000, for the other members of Group Management SEK 1,800,000 and for the remaining three other groups of senior managers and key employees not more than SEK 1,350,000 and not less than SEK 675,000, respectively. The total sum of the maximum values thus defined for all participants will not exceed SEK 166,000,000, excluding social costs.
f) Each maximum value shall thereafter be converted into a maximum number of Performance Shares, based on the average closing price paid for Electrolux B‑shares on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm during a period of ten trading days before the day the participants are invited to participate in the program, reduced by the present value of estimated dividend payments for the period until shares are allotted.
g) The calculated number of Performance Shares shall be connected to performance targets established by the Board for average annual growth in earnings per share (excluding items affecting comparability) for the Group during a three-year performance period 2012–2014, versus the actual outcome on earnings per share in the financial year 2011. The performance targets stipulate a minimum level, at 4.0 per cent average annual growth in earnings per share for the Group, and a maximum level, at 16.0 per cent average annual growth in earnings per share for the Group.
h) Performance outcome will be determined by the Board of Directors after the expiry of the three-year performance period, in 2015. If the maximum performance level is reached or exceeded, the allocation will amount to (and will not exceed) the maximum number of Performance Shares following from items e) and f). If the minimum level is reached, the allocation will amount to approximately 17.0 per cent of the maximum number of Performance Shares. If performance is below the maximum level but exceeds the minimum level, a proportionate allocation of shares will be made. No allocation will be made if performance is below the minimum level.
i) The total award of Matching Shares and Performance Shares (if any) may never exceed one (1) per cent of the total number of shares in Electrolux. If required, awards shall be reduced to ensure that this dilution cap is observed.
j) If all conditions in the Share Program 2012 are met, allocation of Matching Shares and, if applicable, Performance Shares will take place in 2015. Allocation will be free of charge, except for tax liabilities.
k) Certain deviations in or adjustments of the terms and conditions for the Share Program 2012 may be made based on local rules and regulations as well as applicable market practice.
l) The Board of Directors, or a committee established by the Board for these purposes, shall be responsible for the preparation and management of the Share Program 2012, within the framework of the aforementioned terms and conditions.
Costs for the Share Program 2012
The total costs for the Share Program 2012 are estimated to range between a minimum of MSEK 15 (if only Matching Shares are delivered) and a maximum of MSEK 195 (if the maximum number of Matching Shares and Performance Shares are delivered). The estimated costs correspond to between 0.1 and 1.2 per cent of total employment cost for 2011. The costs will be recognized over the years 2012-2015.
The costs have been calculated as the sum of salary costs, including social costs, and administration costs for the program.
The salary costs have been calculated based on the value, at the start of the program, of the Matching and Performance Shares that may be allotted at either minimum or maximum performance, with a reduction of the present value of estimated dividend payments during a three-year period. The estimate on minimum costs assumes that only Matching Shares will be delivered, that participants will invest at the minimum required level and that the number of participants that will leave the Group during the performance period is the same as the historical average since the introduction of share programs in 2004. The estimate on maximum costs assumes maximum performance, that the maximum number of participants will save at the maximum allowed level and that no participants will leave the Group during the performance period. The estimates also use varying share prices between the start of the program in May 2012 and the settlement in 2015. In calculating these estimates, share prices have been assumed to range between SEK 100 and SEK 200 per share.
Administration costs are estimated to be less than 1 MSEK.
Allocation of repurchased shares under the program is estimated to increase the number of outstanding shares with not more than 1,925,000 B-shares. Such maximum increase would have a dilutive effect on earnings per share of approximately 0.7 per cent. The total maximum increase in the number of outstanding shares of the Share Program 2012 and the share programs for 2010 and 2011 is estimated to not more than 5,040,000 B-shares, corresponding to a dilutive effect on earnings per share of approximately 1.7 per cent.
The above calculations assume that Electrolux undertakings under the Share Program 2012 are secured with own shares (see further below).
Hedging measures for the Share Program 2012
The Board of Directors has evaluated different methods for securing the undertakings under the Share Program 2012, and considers that repurchased shares provide the most cost-efficient and flexible hedge for the program.
Electrolux holds a significant number of repurchased shares, which have been repurchased under mandates from previous Annual General Meetings for the purpose of i.a. securing undertakings under Electrolux incentive programs. The holding is sufficient to hedge the Share Program 2012.
If the Annual General Meeting approves the Share Program 2012, the program will provide for delivery of Matching Shares and possibly Performance Shares in 2015. To meet the delivery undertakings at such time, the Board has decided to propose that the Annual General Meeting resolves to transfer repurchased shares to program participants. The full proposal in this respect is set out in the Board’s proposal to the Annual General Meeting under item 16 c).
If the proposal to transfer repurchased shares to program participants would not be approved by the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors will consider other means to meet the delivery undertakings under the program. One such method would be to enter into a share swap agreement with a third party at a later stage, whereby the third party will deliver Matching Shares and Performance Shares (if any) to the participants, and to sell repurchased shares in the market to offset the costs of such swap arrangement. Such arrangement would increase the costs of the Share Program 2012, although no significant cost increases would be anticipated.
Preparation of the proposal for the Share Program 2012
The proposal regarding the Share Program 2012 has been prepared by the Remuneration Committee and has been presented to the Board of Directors.
Previous incentive programs in Electrolux
For a description of the company’s other share related incentive programs, reference is made to the annual report for 2011, note 27, and the company’s website, www.electrolux.com. In addition to the programs described, no other share related incentive programs have been implemented in Electrolux.
Acquisition and transfer of own shares (item 16 a–c)
Electrolux has previously, on the basis of authorisations by the Annual General Meetings, acquired own shares for the purpose of using these shares to finance potential company acquisitions and as a hedge for the company’s share related incentive programs. As of January 1, 2012, Electrolux held 24,255,085 B‑shares in Electrolux, corresponding to approximately 7.9 per cent of the total number of shares in the company.
The Board of Directors makes the assessment that it continues to be advantageous for the company to be able to adapt the company’s capital structure, thereby contributing to increased shareholder value, and to continue to be able to use repurchased shares on account of potential company acquisitions and the company’s share related incentive programs.
In view of the above, the Board of Directors proposes as follows.
A. Acquisition of own shares
The Board of Directors proposes the Annual General Meeting to authorize the Board of Directors, for the period until the next Annual General Meeting, to resolve on acquisitions of shares in the company as follows.
1. The company may acquire as a maximum so many B-shares that, following each acquisition, the company holds at a maximum 10 per cent of all shares issued by the company.
2. The shares may be acquired on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm.
3. Acquisition of shares may only be made at a price per share at each time within the prevailing price interval for the share.
4. Payment for the shares shall be made in cash.
The purpose of the proposal is to be able to adapt the company’s capital structure, thereby contributing to increased shareholder value, and to be able to use repurchased shares on account of potential company acquisitions and the company’s share related incentive programs.
B. Transfer of own shares on account of company acquisitions
The Board of Directors proposes the Annual General Meeting to authorize the Board of Directors, for the period until the next Annual General Meeting, to resolve on transfers of Electrolux own shares in connection with or as a consequence of company acquisitions as follows.
1. Own B-shares held by the company at the time of the Board of Director’s decision may be transferred.
2. The shares may be transferred with deviation from the shareholders’ preferential rights.
3. Transfer of shares may be made at a minimum price per share corresponding to an amount in close connection with the price of the company’s shares on NASDAQ OMX Stockholm at the time of the decision on the transfer.
4. Payment for the transferred shares may be made in cash, by contributions in kind or by a set-off of company debt.
C. Transfer of own shares on account of the share program 2012
The Board of Directors proposes, provided that the Annual General Meeting resolves to approve the implementation of the performance based, long-term share program for 2012 (the Share Program 2012) proposed under item 15, that the Annual General Meeting resolves to transfer Electrolux own shares, as follows.
1. A maximum of 1,925,000 B-shares may be transferred.
2. Participants entitled to receive shares pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Share Program 2012 should be entitled to receive the shares, with a right for each participant to receive a maximum number of shares which follows from the terms and conditions of the program.
3. The right of participants to receive shares may be exercised when delivery under the Share Program 2012 should take place, i.e. during 2015.
4. Participants shall receive the shares free of charge during the period stated in the terms and conditions of the program.
5. The number of shares which may be transferred may be recalculated due to changes in the capital structure and similar corporate actions, such as rights issues, consolidation or split etc.
The purpose of the proposal and the reason for the deviation from the shareholders’ pre-emptive rights for the transfer of shares is to enable Electrolux to transfer shares to participants in the Share Program 2012 in accordance with the terms and conditions adopted for the program.
Majority requirement
In order for the resolutions by the General Meeting in accordance with the Board of Directors’ proposal in Clauses A. and B. above to be valid, the resolutions must be accepted by shareholders holding no less than two thirds of the votes cast as well as the shares represented at the General Meeting, and in order for the resolution by the General Meeting in accordance with the Board of Director’s proposal in Clause C. above to be valid, the resolution must be supported by shareholders holding no less than nine tenths of the votes cast as well as the shares represented at the General Meeting.
Shares and votes
There are in total 308,920,308 shares in the company of which, as of February 16, 2012, 8,212,725 are A-shares, each carrying one vote, and 300,707,583 are B-shares, each carrying one-tenth of a vote, corresponding to in total 38,283,483 votes. As of the same date the company holds 24,255,085 own B-shares, corresponding to 2,425,508 votes that may not be represented at the General Meeting.
Information at the AGM
The Board of Directors and the CEO shall, if any shareholder so requests and the Board of Directors believes that it can be done without material harm to the company, provide information regarding circumstances that may affect the assessment of an item on the agenda, circumstances that can affect the assessment of the company’s or its subsidiaries’ financial situation and the company’s relation to other companies within the group. Shareholders wishing to submit questions in advance may send them to AB Electrolux, Attn: Office of the General Counsel, SE-105 45 Stockholm, Sweden.
Documents
The Annual Report and the Auditor’s Report as well as the Board of Directors’ statement pursuant to Chapter 19, Section 22 of the Swedish Companies Act relating to the proposal under item 16 a) above will be available at the company, AB Electrolux, C-J, SE-105 45 Stockholm, Sweden and on the Group’s web site on the Internet, www.electrolux.com/agm2012, as from March 6, 2012. The documents will also be sent to shareholders who so request and state their address.
Stockholm in February 2012
AB Electrolux (publ)
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
For further information, contact Electrolux Press Hotline, +46 8 657 65 07.
Electrolux may be required to disclose the information provided herein pursuant to the Securities Market Act. The information was submitted for publication at 08.00 CET on February 17, 2012.
Electrolux is a global leader in household appliances and appliances for professional use, selling more than 40 million products to customers in more than 150 markets every year. The company makes thoughtfully designed, innovative solutions based on extensive consumer research, meeting the desires of today's consumers and professionals. Electrolux products include refrigerators, dishwashers, washing machines, cookers, air conditioners and small appliances such as vacuum cleaners, all sold under esteemed brands like Electrolux, AEG, Eureka and Frigidaire. In 2011 Electrolux had sales of SEK 102 billion and 58,000 employees. For more information go to www.electrolux.com/press and www.electrolux.com/news.