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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) December 2, 2004
HAEMONETICS CORPORATION
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Massachusetts 1-10730 04-2882273
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission File (IRS Employer
of incorporation) Number) Identification No.)
400 Wood Road Braintree, MA 02184
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (781) 848-7100
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(Former name or former address if changed since last report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to
simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:
[_] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
CFR 230.425)
[_] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
240.14a-12)
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[_] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the
Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Section 1 - Regristrant's Business and Operations
Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.
An Executive Employment agreement was entered into on December
2, 2004, effective November 1, 2004, between Ulrich Eckert and
Haemonetics S.A, a Swiss company and wholly-owned subsidiary
of Haemonetics Corporation. Reference is made to the Executive
Employment agreement filed as Exhibit 10 hereto for a
description of the terms of such agreement.
Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(c) Exhibits
10: An Executive Employment agreement was entered into on
December 2, 2004, effective November 1, 2004, between Ulrich
Eckert and Haemonetics S.A, a Swiss company and wholly-owned
subsidiary of Haemonetics Corporation.
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
Haemonetics Corporation
Date: December 2, 2004 By: /s/ Ronald J. Ryan
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Ronald J. Ryan, Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Subject Matter
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10 An Executive Employment agreement was entered into on December
2, 2004, effective November 1, 2004, between Ulrich Eckert and
Haemonetics S.A, a Swiss company and wholly-owned subsidiary
of Haemonetics Corporation.
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Exhibit 10
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EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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This Executive Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into
effective as of November 1, 2004 (the "Effective Date") between Ulrich Eckert
(the "Executive") a resident at Stockackerring 73, Kirchheim, Germany D-85551 on
the one hand and Haemonetics S.A. (the "Company"), a Swiss company and
wholly-owned subsidiary of Haemonetics Corporation, with its principal executive
offices at Signy Centre, CH-1274, Signy, Switzerland.
ARTICLE 1. EMPLOYMENT OF EXECUTIVE
1.1 Employment. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the
Company agrees to employ Executive in a full time capacity to serve as
President, Europe, based at the Company's offices in Signy, Switzerland, the
Executive's home office in Germany and, from time to time, in the offices of the
Haemonetics Corporation's other European subsidiaries and to perform such
specific duties commensurate with such position as may reasonably be assigned to
Executive from time to time for the period commencing on the Effective Date and
continuing until terminated as herein provided. Subject to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement, Executive hereby accepts such employment for the
term hereof.
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1.2 Full Time Commitment. During the period of Executive's employment with the
Company, Executive will, unless prevented by ill health, devote his whole
attention and business time to the performance of his duties hereunder for the
business of the Company.
ARTICLE 2. COMPENSATION
For all services to be rendered by Executive to the Company pursuant to
this Agreement, the Company shall pay to Executive the compensation and provide
for Executive the benefits set forth below:
2.1 Base Salary and Bonus. The Company shall pay to Executive a base salary at
the rate of Two Hundred Thirty Thousand EUR (EUR 230,000) per annum. Beginning
May 1, 2005, and annually thereafter, the Executive's base salary will be
reviewed for a potential increase. Such payments shall be made in equal monthly
payments to be paid at the end of each month. Company shall make such payments
in Swiss Francs based upon the exchange rate between Swiss Francs and Euro in
effect on November 1, 2004 and thereafter, the exchange rate between Swiss
Francs and Euro on the anniversary of the Effective Date of this Agreement. In
addition, the Executive will be eligible to receive bonus payments based on
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performance against objectives mutually agreed between Executive and the
shareholder of the Company. For 100% performance, the bonus payout is set at
Ninety Two Thousand EUR (EUR 92,000) annually.
2.2 Fringe Benefits. During the term of Executive's employment hereunder the
Company shall provide Executive with such benefits as are generally made
available by the Company to its other full time executive level employees
including reasonable travel expenses incurred while engaged in Company business,
all in accordance with the Company's benefit plans, policies and procedures from
time to time in effect. Executive shall also be entitled to continue to use the
Company car, mobile phone, home-office equipment, (including telephone,
computer, and facsimile and supporting equipment) that have all been previously
provided to Executive by Company at Company expense. In accordance with
Company's policies and procedures, such items shall also be available for
Executive's personal use. The Executive will be eligible for thirty (30) days
vacation per annum.
Executive shall also be entitled to the following additional fringe benefits
which are consistent with Executive's fringe benefits in existence prior to the
Effective Date of this Agreement:
2.2.1 If the Executive is unable to exercise his responsibilities as a result of
illness, inability to work or other reasons for which he is not responsible, he
shall receive his complete Target Salary (basic salary + 100 % bonus, if
eligible) for the duration of six months. Thereafter, for the duration of an
additional twelve months, Executive shall receive payments which, together with
the cash benefits of his legal health insurance (sickness pay), add up to the
complete Target Salary.
2.2.2 Should the Executive die during the term of this Agreement, his widow and
his dependent children as joint creditors shall be entitled to the continued
payment of the Target Salary under Section 2, paragraph 1, for the month of
death and the twelve successive months.
2.2.3 The Company shall take out an additional accident insurance policy for the
benefit of the Executive for the duration of the employment Agreement with the
following amounts insured:
in case of death EUR 1,000,000.00 (in words: one million EUR)
in case of invalidity EUR 2,000,000.00 (in words: two million EUR)
Future increases in salary as such will not represent any reason for the
increase of the amounts insured.
The Executive or his heirs are directly entitled to claims from the insurance.
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2.2.4 The Executive shall submit to a thorough medical examination every two
years. He shall inform the Company about the results. The costs of the
examination shall be borne by the Company inasmuch as they are not borne by a
health insurance.
2.2.5 As a substitute to the payment of the customary employer's contribution to
mandatory social insurance and voluntary health insurance in Germany, the
Company shall pay out to the Executive, Fifty percent (50%) of the maximum
statutory contributions to old-age insurance (consisting of equal contributions
by employer and employee). Executive shall be responsible for making the entire
maximum statutory contribution payments and shall periodically provide Company
with documentation of such payments to the German social security authorities.
The costs of an additional voluntary health insurance which may also include his
wife and children shall be reimbursed to the Executive up to an annual maximum
amount of the contribution of EUR 5,000.00.
2.2.6 The reimbursement of expenses and expenditures which are not explicitly
regulated in this Agreement shall require the consent of the Chief Executive
Officer of Haemonetics Corporation.
2.2.7 The Company provides D&O Insurance for the Executive covering the case
that the Executive is held liable in connection with his activity for the
Company or is held responsible in terms of criminal law or a civil penalty.
2.2.8 The old-age, occupational disability and surviving dependents pensions
according to the insurance contracts already taken out through the accident
insurance with Deutsche Lloyd Versicherungs AG and the group insurance with
Generali Munchen Lebensversicherungs AG that were granted to the Executive by
Haemonetics GmbH are continued. The basis of assessment for the pension
entitlements shall be the Target Salary. In the case of his leaving the Company
the accrued expectancies shall immediately be transferred to the Executive with
no waiting period. In case the existing group insurance at Generali Munchen
Lebensversicherungs AG cannot be obtained by the Company, the existing insurance
in favor of the Executive provided by Haemonetics GmbH shall be upheld and the
Company shall in this case reimburse Haemonetics GmbH any expenses for the above
insurance of the Executive.
2.2.9 Any taxes due to the fringe benefits mentioned in this section 2.2 will be
paid by the Executive, except for taxes due on Executive's use of the Company
furnished automobile which taxes shall be paid by the Company.
2.3 Option Plan. Executive shall be entitled to participate in the stock option
plans of Haemonetics Corporation (the "Plans"), as approved from time to time by
the Board of Directors and stockholders of Haemonetics Corporation.
ARTICLE 3. TERMINATION
3.1 Term. Unless earlier terminated as herein provided, Executive's employment
pursuant to this Employment Agreement shall commence on November 1, 2004 and
shall continue for a
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period ending on October 31, 2007. Executive's employment with the Company shall
automatically be renewed on a year-to-year basis unless either party notifies
the other party otherwise in writing at least ninety (90) days prior to
termination of the initial term or of any renewal term.
3.2 Termination for Cause - by the Company. The Company may terminate
Executive's employment for "Cause" upon the occurrence of any of the following
events:
(i) Executive shall have engaged in (A) any misappropriation of funds,
properties or assets of Haemonetics Corporation, (B) any malicious damage
or destruction of any property or assets of Haemonetics Corporation,
whether resulting from Executive's willful action or omissions or
negligence, or (C) any falsification of any books, records, documents or
systems of Haemonetics Corporation, or (D) any deliberate violation of
Haemonetics Corporation policy.
(ii) Executive shall (A) have been convicted of a crime involving moral
turpitude or constituting a felony, or (B) commit or knowingly allow to be
committed any illegal action on any premises of, or involving any property
or assets of, Haemonetics Corporation.
3.3 Termination for Cause - by Executive. Executive may terminate his employment
with the Company for "Cause" upon the occurrence of any of the following events.
(i) the Company shall breach any of the material provisions of the
Agreement and such breach shall not have been cured by or on behalf of the
Company within thirty (30) days following its receipt of notice from the
Executive, which specifically identifies the manner in which it is alleged
that Company committed such breach;
(ii) the Company shall fail to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any
successor to assume and agree to perform this Agreement, as contemplated
in Section 3.4;
(iii) a materially adverse change in Executive's title, or in the
responsibilities assigned to Executive by the Company or in the
compensation and benefits paid by Company to the Executive shall have
occurred and such material adverse change shall not have been cured by or
on behalf of the Company within thirty (30) days following its receipt of
notice from Executive specifically identifying such material adverse
change.
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Executive's continued employment shall not constitute consent to, or waiver of
rights with respect to, any circumstance constituting a Cause for termination by
the Executive or the Company.
3.4 Change in Control. If, following a "Change in Control" (as defined below)
Executive's full time position with the Company is eliminated and following such
elimination, Haemonetics Corporation does not offer to employ Executive in a
comparable or better position than his then current location, on a full-time
basis, at a comparable or better rate of pay, then , Executive shall be entitled
to severance payments and benefits in accordance with Article 4 below provided,
however, that severance payment shall be made in lump sum, payable within thirty
(30) days, and in an amount which is equal to 1.5 times the amount identified in
Section 4.1. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall mean a
change in control of Haemonetics Corporation of a nature that would be required
to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A
promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange
Act"), whether or not Haemonetics Corporation is, in fact, required to comply
therewith; provided that, without limitation, such a change in control for
purposes of this Agreement shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act), other than Haemonetics Corporation, any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of Haemonetics
Corporation or a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the
stockholders of Haemonetics Corporation in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership of stock of Haemonetics Corporation is or
becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the
Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of Haemonetics
Corporation representing 51% or more of the combined voting power of
Haemonetics Corporation's then outstanding securities;
(ii) the stockholders of Haemonetics Corporation approve a merger or
consolidation of Haemonetics Corporation with any other corporation, other
than (A) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting
securities of Haemonetics Corporation outstanding immediately prior
thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by
being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least
50% of the combined voting securities of Haemonetics Corporation or such
surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation, or (B) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a
recapitalization of Haemonetics Corporation (or similar transaction) in
which no "person" (as herein above defined) acquires 50% or more of the
combined voting power of Haemonetics Corporation's then outstanding
securities; or
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(iii) the stockholders of Haemonetics Corporation approve a plan of
complete liquidation of Haemonetics Corporation or an agreement for the
sale or disposition by Haemonetics Corporation of all or substantially all
of Haemonetics Corporation's assets.
3.5 Death. In the event of the death of Executive, Executive's employment by the
Company shall automatically terminate as of the date of his death.
3.6 Disability. In the event of the Disability of the Executive, as defined
herein, the Company may terminate Executive's employment hereunder upon written
notice to Executive. The term "Disability" shall mean the inability of Executive
to perform substantially his material duties hereunder due to physical or mental
disablement which continues for a period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive
days, as determined by an independent qualified physician mutually acceptable to
the Company and Executive (or his personal representative) or, if the Company
and Executive (or such representative) are unable to agree on an independent
qualified physician, as determined by a panel of three physicians, one
designated by the Company, one designated by Executive (or his personal
representative) and one designated by the two physicians so designated. This
provision shall not diminish Company's payment obligations under Section 2.2.1
of this Agreement.
ARTICLE 4. SEVERANCE PAYMENTS AND BENEFITS
4.1 Termination Events Resulting in Severance Payments. In the event of the
termination of the Executive's employment prior to the expiration of the term of
this Agreement:
(i) by the Company without "Cause," or
(ii) under Section 3.3,
then the Company shall pay Executive, as a severance payment, an amount equal to
Executive's annual base salary, such payment to be made in twelve (12) equal
monthly payments during the period commencing on the date such termination
occurs (the "Termination Date") and ending one (1) year thereafter (the
"Severance Period").
4.2 Benefits. If Section 4.1 is applicable, the Company shall also provide to
Executive during the Severance Period, at the Company's expense, such benefits
as are in effect and applicable to Executive as of the Termination Date, except
to the extent expressly prohibited by law or by the terms of any plan, program
or policy which govern any such benefits.
4.3 Comparable Benefits: Continuation of Benefits. If by operation of law or
under the terms of the relevant plan, program or policy, Executive is not
eligible to receive continued life insurance coverage, health
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insurance coverage, long term disability coverage or the Company's matching
contribution, if any, under any applicable pension or retirement program, then
the Company shall provide to Executive substantially equivalent benefits or, at
Executive's election, the cash value of equivalent benefits within thirty (30)
days of any determination of ineligibility by the Company.
4.4 Exclusivity. Except as otherwise provided in the foregoing sections of this
Article 4 and in Section 3.4 (if applicable), Executive shall not be entitled to
compensation from the Company for any period following termination of his
employment.
ARTICLE 5. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND NON-COMPETITION
5.1 For the purposes of this Article, the following shall have the designated
meanings.
5.1.1. Proprietary Information: Information of value to the Company and
not generally available to the public of whatever kind or nature disclosed
to the Executive or known by the Executive (whether or not invented,
discovered or developed by the Executive) as a consequence of or through
the Executive's employment with the Company. Proprietary Information shall
include information relating to the design, manufacture, application,
know-how, research and development relating to the Company's products,
sources of supply and materials, operating and other cost data, lists of
present, past, or prospective customers, customer proposals, price lists
and data relating to pricing of the Company's products or services, and
shall specifically include all information contained in manuals,
memoranda, formulae, plans, drawings and designs, specifications, supply
sources, and records of the Company legended or otherwise identified by
the Company as Proprietary Information, whether learned by the Executive
prior to or after the date hereof.
5.1.2 Concepts and Ideas: Those concepts and ideas known to the Executive
relating to the Company's present and prospective activities and products.
5.1.3 Inventions: Discoveries and developments, whether or not patentable.
Such terms shall not be limited to the meaning of "invention" under the
United States Patent Laws.
5.2 All Inventions which are at any time "made" i.e., conceived or reduced to
practice by the Executive, acting alone or in conjunction with others, during or
in connection with the Executive's employment (or, if based on or related to
Proprietary Information, "made" by the Executive within twelve (12) months after
the termination of such employment) and all Concepts and Ideas held by the
Executive shall be the property of the Company, free of any reserved or other
rights of any kind on the Executive's part in respect thereof.
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5.3 The Executive will promptly make full disclosure to the Company in writing
any such Inventions and Concepts and Ideas. Further, the Executive will, at the
Company's costs and expense, promptly execute formal applications for patents
and also do all other acts and things (including, among other, the execution and
delivery of instruments of further assurance or confirmation) deemed by the
Company to be necessary or desirable at any time or times in order to effect the
full assignment to the Company of all right and title to such Inventions and
Concepts and Ideas, without, during the term of this Agreement, further
compensation. The absence of a request by the Company for information, or for
the making of an oath, or for the execution of any document, shall in no way be
construed to constitute a waiver of the Company's rights under this Agreement.
5.4 Except in connection with the Executive's duties hereunder, the Executive
will not, directly or indirectly, use, publish, disseminate, or otherwise
disclose any Proprietary Information, Concepts and Ideas or Inventions without
the prior written consent of the Company.
5.5. All documents, procedural manuals, guides, specifications, plans, drawings,
designs and similar materials, lists of present, past or prospective customers,
customer proposals, invitations to submit proposals, price lists and data
relating to pricing of the Company's products and services, records, notebooks
and similar repositories of or containing Proprietary Information and
Inventions, including all copies thereof, that come into the Executive's
possession or control by reason of the Executive's employment, whether prepared
by the Executive or others, are the property of the Company, will not be used by
the Executive in any way adverse to the Company, will not be removed from the
Company's premises except in connection with the Executive's normal duties and,
at the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, will be left
with or forthwith returned by the Executive to the Company.
5.6 During the time the Executive is an employee of the Company and for a period
of one (1) year thereafter, the Executive will not, on his own behalf or on the
behalf of another (i) engage in any activity which is in the field of medical
devices or solutions similar to those then marketed, or planned to be marketed,
by the Company, or (ii) solicit or endeavor to entice away from the Company any
employee.
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ARTICLE 6. MISCELLANEOUS
6.1 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall be
deemed to be one and the same instrument.
6.2 Binding Effect. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and assigns. If
Executive should die while any amount due to him at such time remains unpaid,
such amount, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement to his devisee, legatee or other designee or if
there is no such designee, to his estate.
6.3 Assignment. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.4 below, neither this
Agreement nor any rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable by either
party hereto without the prior written consent of the other party.
6.4 Obligation of the Company's Successors. Any successor to the business of the
Company, whether directly or indirectly by merger, consolidation,
recapitalization, combination, purchase of stock, purchase of assets or
otherwise, shall succeed to the rights and obligations of the Company hereunder.
The Company will require any such successor to expressly assume and agree to
perform this Agreement in the same a manner and to the same extent that the
Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
6.5 Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications to be given
pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given if delivered by hand or mailed by registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, as follows:
If to the Company, to its shareholder representing the Company:
Haemonetics Corporation
400 Wood Road
Braintree, MA 02184
Attention: Brad Nutter, President and CEO
With a copy to: Lisa Lopez, General Counsel
Haemonetics Corporation
400 Wood Road, Braintree MA 02184
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If to Executive, to:
Dr. Ulrich Eckert
Stockackerring 73,
85551 Heimstetten, Germany
or such other address as either party hereto shall have designated by notice in
writing to the other party.
6.6 Amendments. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or
discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing
and signed by Executive and the Chairman of the Board of Directors. No waiver by
either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or
compliance with, any condition or provision of the Agreement to be performed by
such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or
conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
6.7 Governing Law. This Agreement and the legal relations between the parties
hereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
Federal Republic of Germany.
6.8 Dispute Resolution. Competent court in the event of any dispute, controversy
or claim arising out of or relating to the Agreement or the performance by the
parties of its terms, shall be the District Court (Landgericht Munchen I) in
Munich, Germany.
6.9 Severability. In case any provision hereof shall, for any reason, be held to
be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity or unenforceability
shall not affect any other provision hereof, and this Agreement shall be
construed as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included
herein. If any provision hereof shall, for any reason, be held by a court to be
excessively broad as to duration, geographical scope, activity or subject
matter, it shall be construed by limiting and reducing it to make it enforceable
to the extent compatible with applicable law then in effect.
6.10 Withholding. Any payments provided for hereunder shall be paid after
deducting any applicable withholding required under federal, state or local or
foreign law.
6.11 Entire Agreement. This Agreement sets for the entire agreement of the
parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein, and supersedes
the provisions of all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements,
communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any
officer, employee or representative of any party hereto with respect to the
subject matter hereof. No agreements or representations, oral or otherwise,
express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof have been made by
either party which are not expressly set forth in this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed and delivered this
Agreement under seal as of the date first above written.
Haemonetics S.A., represented by its sole shareholder,
Haemonetics Corporation
By:
Dr. Ulrich Eckert s/Brad Nutter
s/ Ulrich Eckhert ----------------------
- ------------------ Brad Nutter, President
Date: Nov 23, 2004 Date: 12-3-2004
s/ Ronald J. Ryan
-----------------------------------------
Ronald J. Ryan, President, Haemonetics SA
Date: Dec. 2, 2004
s/ Alain Delecraz
---------------------------------------------
Alain Delecraz, Administrator, Haemonetics SA
Date: Dec. 6, 2004
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