Neil R. Thornton
has been a director of the Company since 1995. He was previously a director of the Company from 1986 to 1993. Mr. Thornton was President and Chief
Executive Officer of American Steel, L.L.C., a distributor of carbon steel products, from 1985 until his retirement in January 1998.
The Board of Directors has
determined that Wayne B. Kingsley, Richard A. Roman, and Neil R. Thornton are independent as defined by applicable Nasdaq Stock Market
rules.
Retired Director
Michael C. Franson
retired from the Board of Directors on August 18, 2005. In connection with Mr. Fransons retirement, he also simultaneously retired as a member of
the Compensation Committee and the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors.
Board of Directors and Board
Committees
The Board of Directors met five
times during 2005. Each director attended more than 75 percent of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and (ii)
the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board on which he served. Members of the Board of Directors are encouraged to attend the
Companys annual meeting of shareholders each year. All of the members of the Board of Directors attended the Companys 2005 Annual Meeting
of Shareholders. The Board of Directors has an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating
Committee.
Executive Committee. The
Executive Committee, comprised of Messrs. Dunham, Kingsley, and Tagmyer, exercises the authority of the Board of Directors between meetings of the
Board, subject to certain limitations. The Executive Committee did not meet in 2005.
Audit Committee. The Audit
Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the Companys consolidated financial statements, the
Companys systems of internal controls and the independence and performance of the Companys independent auditors. The Board of Directors has
adopted a written charter for the Audit committee. The Audit Committee is comprised of Messrs. Roman, Kingsley and Thornton. Each member of the Audit
Committee is independent as defined by applicable Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Nasdaq Stock Market rules. The
Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Roman qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined by the rules of the SEC. The
Audit Committee met seven times in 2005.
Compensation Committee.
The Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Roman and Thornton. The Compensation Committee determines the compensation levels of the
Companys executive officers, makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding changes in compensation and administers the Companys
stock option plans. The Compensation Committee met four times in 2005.
Nominating Committee;
Nominations by Shareholders. The Nominating committee selects nominees for election as directors. The Nominating Committee is comprised of Messrs.
Kingsley and Roman. Each of the members of the Nominating Committee is independent as defined by applicable Nasdaq Stock Market rules. The
Nominating Committee met one time in 2005. The Nominating Committee has not adopted a written charter. The Nominating Committee will consider
recommendations by shareholders of individuals to consider as candidates for election to the Board of Directors. Historically, the Company has not had
a formal policy concerning shareholder recommendations to the Nominating Committee because it believes that the informal consideration process in place
to date has been adequate given that the Company has never received any recommendations from shareholders as to candidates for election to the Board of
Directors. The absence of such a policy does not mean, however, that a recommendation would not have been considered had one been received. The
Nominating Committee intends to periodically review whether a more formal policy should be adopted. Shareholder recommendations as to candidates for
election to the Board of Directors may be submitted to Corporate Secretary, Northwest Pipe Company, 200 SW Market Street, Suite 1800, Portland, Oregon
97201-5730. The Nominating Committee will evaluate potential nominees, including shareholder nominees, by reviewing qualifications, considering
references, conducting interviews and reviewing such other information as
3
the members of the Committee
deem relevant. The Nominating Committee has not employed any third parties to help identify or screen prospective directors in the past, but may do so
at the discretion of the Committee.
The Companys Bylaws permit
shareholders to make nominations for the election of directors, if such nominations are made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Companys
Secretary. To be timely, notice must be delivered to, or mailed to and received at, the principal executive offices of the Company not less than 60
days nor more than 90 days prior to the date of the meeting, provided that at least 60 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the
meeting is given or made to shareholders. If less than 60 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
shareholders, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be received by the Company not later than the close of business on the tenth day following
the date on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. A shareholders notice of nomination must
also set forth certain information specified in the Companys Bylaws concerning each person the shareholder proposes to nominate for election and
the nominating shareholder.
Communications with Directors
Shareholders and other parties
interested in communicating directly with the members of the Board of Directors may do so by writing to: Board of Directors, Northwest Pipe Company,
200 SW Market Street, Suite 1800, Portland, Oregon 97201-5730.
See
ManagementExecutive Compensation for certain information regarding compensation of directors.
The Board of Directors
unanimously recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of its nominees for directors. If a quorum is present, the Companys Bylaws
provide that directors are elected by a plurality of the votes cast by the shares entitled to vote. Abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for
purposes of determining whether a quorum exists at the Annual Meeting, but are not counted and have no effect on the determination of whether a
plurality exists with respect to a given nominee.
MANAGEMENT
Executive Officers
Information with respect to the
Companys current executive officers is set forth below. Officers of the Company are elected by the Board of Directors and hold office until their
successors are elected and qualified.
Name
|
|
|
|
Age
|
|
Current Position(s) with Company
|
Brian W.
Dunham |
|
|
|
48 |
|
Director, Chief Executive Officer and President |
Charles L.
Koenig |
|
|
|
63 |
|
Senior Vice President, Water Transmission |
Robert L.
Mahoney |
|
|
|
44 |
|
Vice
President, Chief Strategic Officer |
Terrence R.
Mitchell |
|
|
|
50 |
|
Senior Vice President, Tubular Products |
John D.
Murakami |
|
|
|
52 |
|
Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary |
Gary A.
Stokes |
|
|
|
53 |
|
Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing |
Information concerning the
principal occupation of Mr. Dunham is set forth under Election of Directors.
Charles L. Koenig
was named Senior Vice President, Water Transmission in July 2001. He had served as Vice President, Water Transmission since February 1997 and, prior to
that, had served as Vice PresidentCalifornia Operations since 1993. He has been with the Company since 1992 and is a registered Professional
Engineer. Previously, he was Operations Manager with Thompson Pipe and Steel Company, where he was employed for more than twenty
years.
Robert L. Mahoney
was named Vice President, Chief Strategic Officer in May 2005. He had served as Vice President, Corporate Development since July 1998, as Director of
Business Planning and Development since 1996, and has been with the Company since 1992.
Terrence R.
Mitchell was named Senior Vice President, Tubular Products in July 2001. He had served as Vice President, Tubular Products since May 1996, and
as Vice President and General ManagerKansas Division
4
since 1993. Mr. Mitchell has
been with the Company since 1985. Prior to joining the Company, he was employed by Valmont Industries, another pipe manufacturer.
John D. Murakami
was named Vice President, Chief Financial Officer in February 1997, and had served as Corporate Controller since September 1995. Prior to joining the
Company, he was employed by Babler Brothers, Inc., a manufacturer of concrete pipe products.
Gary A. Stokes was
named Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing in July 2001 and had served as Vice President, Sales and Marketing since 1993. He has been with the
Company since 1987. Mr. Stokes was previously employed by L. B. Foster Company for eleven years. He served as the Regional Manager responsible for L.B.
Foster Companys West Coast sales operations.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Summary of Cash and Certain Other
Compensation
The following table provides
certain summary information concerning compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the Companys Chief Executive Officer and each of the four
other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company determined as of the end of the last fiscal year (hereafter referred to as the
named executive officers) for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation
|
|
Long Term Compensation
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
|
|
Year
|
|
Salary
|
|
Bonus (1)
|
|
Stock Options Granted
|
|
All Other Compensation
|
Brian W.
Dunham Director, Chief Executive Officer and President
|
|
|
|
2005 2004
2003 |
|
$495,000
465,000 420,000
|
|
$310,561
581,250 |
|
|
|
$43,357(2)
35,213(2) 36,216(2) |
|
Charles L.
Koenig Senior Vice President, Water Transmission
|
|
|
|
2005 2004
2003 |
|
$227,500
217,500 207,000 |
|
$232,130
225,000 |
|
|
|
$40,970(2)
36,654(2) 35,859(2) |
|
Robert L.
Mahoney Vice President, Chief Strategic Officer
|
|
|
|
2005 2004
2003 |
|
$190,000
151,000 145,250 |
|
$102,176
188,750 |
|
|
|
$19,531(2)
13,522(2) 16,113(2) |
|
John D.
Murakami Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
|
|
|
|
2005 2004
2003 |
|
$190,000
160,000 151,000 |
|
$102,301
200,000 |
|
|
|
$21,843(2)
17,362(2) 19,229(2) |
|
Gary A.
Stokes Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing
|
|
|
|
2005 2004
2003 |
|
$237,500
225,000 213,200 |
|
$255,237
235,000 |
|
|
|
$30,332(2)
29,266(2) 28,846(2) |
(1) |
|
Annual bonus represents amount earned during the year. Actual
payments may be made over subsequent years. |
(2) |
|
Represents matching amounts contributed to the Companys
401(k) plan and the amount contributed to the Northwest Pipe Non-Qualified Savings Plan in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. |
5
Stock Options
There were no option grants to
the named executive officers in 2005.
Options Exercised in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year
End Option Values
The following table sets forth,
for each of the named executive officers, the number of shares acquired upon option exercises during 2005 and the related value realized, and the
number and value of unexercised options as of December 31, 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Unexercised Options at December 31,
2005
|
|
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at
December 31, 2005 (2)
|
|
Name
|
|
|
|
Shares Acquired on Exercise
|
|
Value Realized (1)
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
|
Exercisable
|
|
Unexercisable
|
Brian
W. Dunham |
|
|
|
|
42,900 |
|
|
$ |
743,028 |
|
|
|
155,980 |
|
|
|
6,842 |
|
|
$ |
1,688,615 |
|
|
$ |
73,159 |
|
Charles
L. Koenig |
|
|
|
|
17,160 |
|
|
$ |
281,767 |
|
|
|
60,022 |
|
|
|
2,330 |
|
|
$ |
640,216 |
|
|
$ |
25,063 |
|
Robert
L. Mahoney |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
32,992 |
|
|
|
1,621 |
|
|
$ |
362,992 |
|
|
$ |
17,381 |
|
John D.
Murakami |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43,522 |
|
|
|
1,651 |
|
|
$ |
473,089 |
|
|
$ |
17,646 |
|
Gary A.
Stokes |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,595 |
|
|
|
2,390 |
|
|
$ |
647,057 |
|
|
$ |
25,660 |
|
(1) |
|
The value realized is based on the difference between the market
price at the time of exercise of the options and the applicable exercise price. |
(2) |
|
The value of unexercised in-the-money options is calculated based
on the closing price of the Companys Common Stock on December 31, 2005, $26.76 per share. Amounts reflected are based on the assumed value minus
the exercise price and do not necessarily indicate that the optionee sold such stock. |
Equity Compensation Plan
Information
The following table provides
information as of December 31, 2005 with respect to the shares of the Companys Common Stock that may be issued under the Companys existing
equity compensation plans.
Plan Category
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities to be Issued upon
Exercise of Outstanding Options
|
|
Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding
Options
|
|
Number of Securities Remaining Available for
Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
|
Equity
Compensation Plans Approved by Shareholders (1) |
|
|
|
|
711,336 |
|
|
$ |
16.063 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
Equity
Compensation Plans Not Approved by Shareholders (2) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
|
|
711,336 |
|
|
$ |
16.063 |
|
|
|
15,000 |
|
(1) |
|
Consists of the Companys 1995 Stock Incentive Plan and the
1995 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors. |
(2) |
|
The Company does not have any equity compensation plans or
arrangements that have not been approved by shareholders. |
Change in Control Agreements
The Company has entered into
change in control agreements (the Agreements) with its executive officers. Each of the Agreements was originally for a term ending July 19,
2001, provided that on that date and each anniversary thereafter, the term of the Agreements will be automatically extended by one year unless either
party gives 90 days prior written notice that the term of an agreement shall not be so extended. If a Change in
6
Control (as defined in
the Agreements and described below) occurs during the term of Agreements, the Agreements will continue in effect until two years after the Change in
Control.
If an executive officers
employment with the Company is terminated within two years after a Change in Control either by the Company without Cause (as defined in the
Agreements and described below) or by the executive officer for Good Reason (as defined in the Agreements and described below), the
executive officer will be entitled to receive his full base salary through the date of termination and any benefits or awards (both cash and stock)
that have been earned or are payable through the date of termination plus (i) a lump sum payment equal to two years base salary (three years in
the case of Mr. Dunham) and (ii) an amount equal to two times (three times in the case of Mr. Dunham) the average cash bonuses paid to the executive
officer during the previous three years. In addition, the executive officer would be entitled to the continuation of health and insurance benefits for
certain periods and all outstanding unvested stock options would immediately become fully vested. In the event that the payments made to an executive
officer would be deemed to be a parachute payment under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, an executive officer may choose to accept
payment of a reduced amount that would not be deemed to be a parachute payment.
If an executive officers
employment with the Company is terminated within two years after a Change in Control either by the Company for Cause or as a result of the executive
officers disability or death, the executive officer will be entitled to receive his full base salary through the date of termination plus any
benefits or awards (both cash and stock) that have been earned or are payable through the date of termination.
For purposes of the Agreements, a
Change in Control includes (i) any merger or consolidation transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation, unless
shareholders of the Company immediately before such transaction have the same proportionate ownership of common stock of the surviving corporation in
the transaction, (ii) the acquisition by any person of 30 percent or more of the Companys total combined voting power, (iii) the liquidation of
the Company or the sale or other transfer of substantially all of its assets, and (iv) a change in the composition of the Board of Directors during any
two-year period such that the directors in office at the beginning of the period and/or their successors who were elected by or on the recommendation
of two-thirds of the directors in office at the beginning of the period do not constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors. For purposes
of the Agreements, Good Reason includes (i) an adverse change in the executive officers status, title, position(s) or
responsibilities or the assignment to the executive of duties or responsibilities which are inconsistent with the executive officers status,
title or position, (ii) a reduction in the executive officers base salary or the failure to pay compensation otherwise due to the executive
officer, (iii) a requirement that the executive officer be based anywhere other than within 10 miles of his job location before the Change in Control,
(iv) the Companys failure to continue in effect any compensation or employee benefit plan or program in effect before the Change in Control or
any act or omission that would adversely effect the executive officers continued participation in any such plan or program or materially reduce
the benefits under such plan or program, and (v) the failure by the Company to require any successor to the Company to assume the Companys
obligations under the Agreements within 30 days after a Change in Control. For purposes of the Agreements, Cause means the willful and
continued failure to satisfactorily perform the duties assigned to the executive officer within a certain period after notice of such failure is given
and commission of certain illegal conduct.
Employment Agreement
The Company entered into an
Employment Agreement (the Employment Agreement) with Mr. Tagmyer effective November 14, 2000. The Employment Agreement is for a term ending
on December 31, 2010, unless terminated earlier by the parties. The Employment Agreement provides that through 2010, Mr. Tagmyer will receive a base
salary of $150,000 per year. If the Employment Agreement is terminated by Mr. Tagmyer or by the Company for cause (as defined), Mr. Tagmyer
would be paid all compensation and expenses to which he is entitled through the date of termination of the Employment Agreement. If the Employment
Agreement is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for cause or as a result of Mr. Tagmyers death, Mr. Tagmyer would be
entitled to receive all of the remaining payments that he would have been entitled to receive under the Employment Agreement if it had not been
terminated. If the Employment Agreement is terminated as a result of Mr. Tagmyers death, Mr. Tagmyers beneficiary or estate would be
entitled to receive
7
fifty percent of the
remaining payments under the Employment Agreement to which Mr. Tagmyer would have been entitled had he survived. The Employment Agreement contains
certain noncompetition provisions that apply to Mr. Tagmyers activities during the term of the Employment Agreement and for a period of one year
after the later of the date of termination of the Agreement or the date the last payment is made under the Agreement.
Director Compensation
The members of the Companys
Board of Directors are reimbursed for their travel expenses incurred in attending Board meetings. In addition, each nonemployee member of the Board of
Directors receives a $24,000 annual retainer, $1,000 for each Board meeting attended, $500 for each telephonic Board meeting attended and $500 for each
meeting of a committee of the Board attended. In addition, each Committee Chairman receives an additional $5,000 annual retainer. The Companys
1995 Stock Option Plan for Nonemployee Directors (the 1995 Nonemployee Director Plan) provides that an option to purchase 5,000 shares of
Common Stock is granted to each new nonemployee director at the time such person is first elected or appointed to the Board of Directors. In addition,
each nonemployee director receives an option to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock annually after each annual meeting of shareholders. The number of
options which may be granted under the 1995 Nonemployee Director Plan in any fiscal year may not exceed 20,000, subject to stock splits and similar
events, and a total of 100,000 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance upon exercise of stock options granted under the 1995 Nonemployee
Director Plan. On May 10, 2005 options to purchase 2,000 shares of Common Stock, at $22.07 each, were granted to each of Messrs. Franson, Kingsley,
Roman, and Thornton.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation
Messrs. Roman and Thornton, each
of whom is an outside director, served on the Compensation Committee in 2005. No director or executive officer of the Company serves on the
compensation committee of the board of directors of any company for which Messrs. Roman or Thornton serve as executive officers or
directors.
8
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Under rules established by the
SEC, the Company is required to provide certain data and information with regard to the compensation and benefits provided to the Companys Chief
Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers. In fulfillment of this requirement, the Compensation Committee has
prepared the following report for inclusion in this Proxy Statement.
Executive Compensation Philosophy
The Compensation Committee is
composed entirely of independent, outside directors and is responsible for setting and monitoring policies governing compensation of executive
officers. The Compensation Committee reviews the performance and compensation levels for executive officers, and sets salary and bonus levels and
option grants under the Companys stock option plans. The objectives of the Compensation Committee are to correlate executive compensation with
the Companys business objectives and performance and to enable the Company to attract, retain and reward executive officers who contribute to the
long-term success of the Company.
The Omnibus Budget Act of 1993
added Section 162(m) to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which limits to $1,000,000 the deductibility of compensation (including stock-based
compensation) individually paid to a publicly-held Companys chief executive officer and the four other most highly compensated executive
officers. The Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee intend to take the necessary steps to structure executive compensation policies to
comply with this limit on deductibility of executive compensation.
Salaries. The
Compensation Committee annually assesses the performance and sets the salary of the Companys executive officers. Salaries for executive officers
are based on a review of salaries for similar positions requiring similar qualifications. In determining executive officer salaries, the Compensation
Committee reviews recommendations from management, which include information from salary surveys. Additionally, the Compensation Committee establishes
both financial and operational based objectives and goals. The Compensation Committee considers not only the performance evaluations of executive
officers but also reviews the financial condition of the Company in setting salaries.
Bonus Awards. The
Compensation Committee believes that a significant portion of total cash compensation for executive officers should be subject to the Companys
attainment each year of specific financial performance criteria. This approach creates a direct incentive for executive officers to achieve desired
performance goals and places a significant percentage of each executive officers compensation at risk. Consequently, each year the Compensation
Committee establishes potential bonuses for executive officers based on the Companys achievement of certain financial performance measures for
the year, including sales and net income measures. Bonuses ranging in amounts from $40,050 to $310,561 were awarded for 2005 based on the
Companys partial achievement of the financial and other performance goals for 2005.
Stock Options. No
stock options were issued to executive officers in 2005.
Chief Executive Officer
Compensation.Mr. Dunhams 2005 base salary was determined in the same manner as the other executives as described in Salaries
above. The Compensation Committee approved Mr. Dunhams 2005 annual base salary of $495,000, based on the salary survey data referred to above and
compensation levels of Chief Executive Officers of comparable size companies in industries similar to the Companys. Mr. Dunham also received a
bonus of $310,561 for 2005 based on the Companys partial achievement of certain financial and other performance goals.
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE
Richard A. Roman
Neil R.
Thornton
9
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
The Audit Committee of the Board
of Directors is comprised of three directors who are considered independent under applicable SEC and Nasdaq listing rules. The Audit Committee operates
under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the Audit Committee charter is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix
A.
The purpose of the Audit
Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in its general oversight of the Company. The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to
oversee and monitor the integrity of the Companys financial reporting process on behalf of the Board of Directors and report the results of its
activities to the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee annually reviews and selects the Companys independent registered public accounting firm
and preapproves any non-audit work required of the public accounting firm.
Management is responsible for
preparing the Companys financial statements. The independent accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of the
Companys financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and to issue a report thereon, and for performing an
independent audit of managements assessment of the effectiveness of the Companys internal controls over financial reporting, and the
effectiveness of such. The Audit Committees responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes. The Audit Committee serves a board-level
oversight role in which it provides advice, counsel and direction to management and the independent accountants on the basis of the information it
receives, discussions with the independent accountants and the experience of the Audit Committees members in business, financial and accounting
matters.
In this context, the Audit
Committee has reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management and the independent accountants. The Audit Committee also has
discussed with the independent accountants the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication with
Audit Committees).
The Companys independent
accountants also provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1
(Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and the Audit Committee discussed with the independent accountants that firms
independence.
Based on the above discussions
and review with management and the independent accountants, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial
statements be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005 for filing with the
Commission.
Respectfully submitted by the
Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Wayne B. Kingsley
Richard A.
Roman
Neil R. Thornton
10
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The SEC requires that registrants
include in their proxy statement a line-graph presentation comparing cumulative five-year shareholder returns on an indexed basis, assuming a $100
initial investment and reinvestment of dividends, of (a) the registrant, (b) a broad-based equity market index and (c) an industry-specific index. The
following graph includes the required information from December 31, 2000 through the end of the last fiscal year, December 31, 2005. The broad-based
market index used is the Russell 2000 Index and the industry-specific index used is a peer group of companies consisting of Ameron International
Corporation, Lindsay Manufacturing Co., Valmont Industries, Inc., and Maverick Tube Corporation.
|
|
|
|
Indexed Returns
|
|
|
|
|
|
Northwest Pipe Company
|
|
Russell 2000 Index
|
|
Peer Group
|
December 31,
2000 |
|
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
|
|
100.00 |
|
December 31,
2001 |
|
|
|
|
231.50 |
|
|
|
102.49 |
|
|
|
80.16 |
|
December 31,
2002 |
|
|
|
|
244.96 |
|
|
|
81.49 |
|
|
|
86.78 |
|
December 31,
2003 |
|
|
|
|
188.46 |
|
|
|
120.00 |
|
|
|
114.20 |
|
December 31,
2004 |
|
|
|
|
353.27 |
|
|
|
142.00 |
|
|
|
147.38 |
|
December 31,
2005 |
|
|
|
|
378.90 |
|
|
|
148.46 |
|
|
|
183.37 |
|
11
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended requires the Companys directors and executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered
class of the Companys equity securities, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of shares with the SEC. Such
persons also are required to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Based solely on its review of the
copies of such reports received by it with respect to 2005, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that all
filing requirements applicable to its directors, officers and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Companys equity
securities have been complied with for 2005.
12
STOCK OWNED BY MANAGEMENT AND PRINCIPAL
SHAREHOLDERS
The table below sets forth
certain information, as of March 15, 2006, regarding the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by: (i) each person known by the Company to be the
beneficial owner of 5% or more of its outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each of the named executive officers, (iii) each of the Companys directors
and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. The address of each of the named executive officers and directors is c/o Northwest Pipe
Company, 200 SW Market Street, Suite 1800, Portland, Oregon 97201-5730.
|
|
|
|
Shares Beneficially Owned(1)
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owner
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Percent
|
Wells Fargo
& Company (2) 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104
|
|
|
|
|
954,065 |
|
|
|
14.0 |
% |
FMR Corp
(3) 82 Devonshire Street Boston, MA 02109
|
|
|
|
|
670,375 |
|
|
|
9.8 |
% |
Bank of
America Corporation (4) 100 Federal Street North Tryon Street Floor 25, Bank of America Corporate Center Charlotte, NC
28255
|
|
|
|
|
653,332 |
|
|
|
9.6 |
% |
Dreman Value
Management LLC (5) 520 East Cooper Avenue Suite 230-4 Aspen, CO 81611
|
|
|
|
|
399,100 |
|
|
|
5.8 |
% |
Dimensional
Fund (6) 1299 Ocean Avenue, 11th Floor Santa Monica, CA 90401
|
|
|
|
|
377,449 |
|
|
|
5.5 |
% |
Becker
Capital Management, Inc. (7) 1211 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 2185 Portland, OR 97204
|
|
|
|
|
342,000 |
|
|
|
5.0 |
% |
William R.
Tagmyer |
|
|
|
|
268,171 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
Brian W.
Dunham |
|
|
|
|
250,672 |
|
|
|
3.6 |
% |
Charles L.
Koenig |
|
|
|
|
117,836 |
|
|
|
1.7 |
% |
Gary A.
Stokes |
|
|
|
|
61,807 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Robert L.
Mahoney |
|
|
|
|
32,190 |
|
|
|
* |
|
John D.
Murakami |
|
|
|
|
46,125 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Wayne B.
Kingsley |
|
|
|
|
32,583 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Neil R.
Thornton |
|
|
|
|
29,378 |
|
|
|
* |
|
Richard A.
Roman |
|
|
|
|
11,000 |
|
|
|
* |
|
All
directors and executive officers as a group, (ten persons) |
|
|
|
|
904,376 |
|
|
|
12.1 |
% |
(*) |
|
Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent of the
outstanding Common Stock. |
(1) |
|
Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules
of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and includes voting power and investment power with respect to shares. Shares issuable upon the exercise of
outstanding stock options that are currently exercisable or become exercisable within 60 days from March 15, 2006 are considered outstanding for the
purpose of calculating the percentage of Common Stock owned by such person, but not for the purpose of calculating the percentage of Common Stock owned
by any other person. The number of stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of March 15, 2006 is as follows: Mr. Tagmyer164,039; Mr.
Dunham159,406; Mr. Koenig61,210; Mr. Stokes61,807; Mr. Mahoney32,190;Mr. Murakami44,347; Mr. Kingsley20,000; Mr.
Thornton20,000; Mr. Roman11,000; and all directors and officers as a group628,613. |
13
(2) |
|
The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule
13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 3, 2006, reflecting its beneficial ownership of Common Stock as of December 31,
2005. The Schedule 13G/A states that Wells Fargo & Company beneficially owns 954,065 shares of Common Stock, including 876,515 shares as to which
it has sole voting power and 935,265 shares as to which it has sole dispositive power. |
(3) |
|
The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule
13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by FMR Corp on February 14, 2006, reflecting its beneficial ownership of Common Stock as of
December 31, 2005. The Schedule 13G/A states that FMR Corp has sole dispositive power with respect to 670,375 shares of Common Stock. |
(4) |
|
The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule
13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Bank of America Corporation on February 8, 2006, reflecting its beneficial ownership of
Common Stock as of December 31, 2005. The Schedule 13G/A states Bank of America Corporation has shared voting power with respect to 504,616 shares of
Common Stock and shared dispositive power with respect to 653,332 shares of Common Stock. |
(5) |
|
The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule
13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Dreman Value Management LLC on February 10, 2006, reflecting its beneficial ownership of
Common Stock as of December 31, 2005. The Schedule 13G states that Dreman Value Management LLC has shared voting power and sole dispositive power with
respect to 399,100 shares of Common Stock. |
(6) |
|
The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule
13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. on February 6, 2006, reflecting its beneficial ownership of
Common Stock as of December 31, 2005. The Schedule 13G/A states that Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. has sole voting and dispositive power with respect
to 377,449 shares of Common Stock. |
(7) |
|
The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule
13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Becker Capital Management, Inc. on February 10, 2006, reflecting its beneficial ownership of
Common Stock as of December 31, 2005. The Schedule 13G states that Becker Capital Management, Inc. has sole voting power with respect to 314,500 shares
of Common Stock and sole dispositive power with respect to 342,000 shares of Common Stock. |
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED
TRANSACTIONS
The Company has ongoing business
relationships with certain affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company (Wells Fargo). Wells Fargo, together with certain of its affiliates, is
the companys largest shareholder. Since January 1, 2005, the Company has made the following payments to affiliates of Wells Fargo: (i) capital
and operating lease payments pursuant to which the Company leases certain equipment from such affiliates, (ii) payments of interest and fees pursuant
to letters of credit originated by such affiliates, (iii) payments of principal and interest on an industrial development bond, and (iv) payments of
principal, interest and related fees in connection with loan agreements between the Company and such affiliates. For the year ended December 31, 2005,
total payments made by the Company to Wells Fargo and its affiliates amounted to $3.3 million.
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served
as the Companys independent registered public accountants for the year ended December 31, 2005 and has been selected to serve as the
Companys independent registered public accountants for the year ending December 31, 2006. Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP are
expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will be given an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions.
14
Fees for services provided by the
Companys principal accountant, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:
|
|
|
|
2005
|
|
2004
|
|
Audit fees
(1) |
|
|
|
$ |
438,500 |
|
|
$ |
506,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
Audit-related
fees (2) |
|
|
|
|
23,000 |
|
|
|
22,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
Tax fees
(3) |
|
|
|
|
10,695 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other fees
(4) |
|
|
|
|
93,944 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
fees |
|
|
|
$ |
566,139 |
|
|
$ |
528,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Audit fees include fees for audits of the annual financial
statements, including required quarterly reviews, and the audit of managements assessment of the Companys internal control over financial
reporting. |
(2) |
|
Audit-related fees include fees for audits of the Companys
employee benefit plans and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting. |
(3) |
|
Tax fees include fees for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax
planning. |
(4) |
|
Other fees include professional fees for business consultations
and tax compliance. |
To help assure independence of
the independent auditors, the Audit Committee has established a policy whereby all services of the principal accountant or other firms must be approved
in advance by the Audit Committee; provided, however, that de minimis services may instead be approved by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief
Financial Officer. One hundred percent of the fees shown in the principal accountant fees schedule for 2005 and 2004 were approved by the Audit
Committee.
DATE FOR SUBMISSION OF SHAREHOLDER
PROPOSALS
Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, some shareholder proposals may be eligible for inclusion in the Companys 2006 proxy statement. Any such proposal
must be received by the Company not later than December 1, 2006. Shareholders interested in submitting such a proposal are advised to contact
knowledgeable counsel with regard to the detailed requirements of the applicable securities law. The submission of a shareholder proposal does not
guarantee that it will be included in the Companys proxy statement. Alternatively, under the Companys bylaws, a proposal or nomination that
a shareholder does not seek to include in the Companys proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 may be delivered to the Secretary of the Company
not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the date of an annual meeting, unless notice or public disclosure of the date of the meeting
occurs less than 60 days prior to the date of such meeting, in which event, shareholders may deliver such notice not later than the 10th day following
the day on which notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure thereof was made. A shareholders submission must include
certain specified information concerning the proposal or nominee, as the case may be, and information as to the shareholders ownership of common
stock of the Company. Proposals or nominations not meeting these requirements will not be entertained at the annual meeting. If the shareholder does
not also comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-4(c)(2) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company may exercise discretionary voting
authority under proxies it solicits to vote in accordance with its best judgment on any such proposal or nomination submitted by a
shareholder.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy
Statement, the Board of Directors does not know of any other matters to be presented for action by the shareholders at the 2006 Annual Meeting. If,
however, any other matters not now known are properly brought before the meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote such proxy in
accordance with the determination of a majority of the Board of Directors.
15
COST OF SOLICITATION
The cost of soliciting proxies
will be borne by the Company. In addition to use of the mail, proxies may be solicited personally or by telephone by directors, officers and employees
of the Company, who will not be specially compensated for such activities. Such solicitations may be made personally, or by mail,
facsimile, telephone, telegraph or messenger. The Company will also request persons, firms and companies holding shares in their names or in the name of their nominees, which are
beneficially owned by others, to send proxy materials to and obtain proxies from such beneficial owners. The Company will reimburse such persons for
their reasonable expenses incurred in that connection.
16
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A copy of the Companys
Annual Report to Shareholders (including Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2005 accompanies this Proxy Statement. The Company will provide,
without charge, on the written request of any beneficial owner of shares of the Companys Common Stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting,
additional copies of the Companys Annual Report. Written requests should be mailed to the Corporate Secretary, Northwest Pipe Company, 200 Market
Street, Suite 1800, Portland, OR 97201-5730.
By Order of the Board of
Directors,
Brian W. Dunham
Chief
Executive Officer and President
Portland, Oregon
March 31, 2005
17
Appendix A
NORTHWEST PIPE COMPANY
Charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors
I. Audit Committee
Purpose
The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors
to assist the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities. The Audit Committees primary duties and responsibilities are
to:
|
|
Monitor the integrity of the Companys financial reporting
process and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance.
|
|
|
Monitor the independence and performance of the Companys
independent auditors. |
|
|
Provide an avenue of communication among the independent
auditors, management and the Board of Directors. |
The Audit Committee has the authority to conduct any
investigation appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities, and it has direct access to the independent auditors as well as anyone in the
organization. The Audit Committee has the ability to retain, at the Companys expense, special legal, accounting or other consultants or experts
it deems necessary in the performance of its duties.
II. Audit Committee Composition
and Meetings
Audit Committee members shall meet the applicable
requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Audit Committee shall be comprised of three or more directors as determined by the Board, each of whom
shall be independent within the meaning of regulations promulgated from time to time by the Securities and Exchange Commission
(SEC), the Nasdaq Stock Market or other appropriate authorities, free from any relationship that would interfere with the exercise of his
or her independent judgment. All members of the Committee shall be able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including a
companys balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows, and at least one member shall have current or past employment experience in
finance or accounting, requisite professional certification in accounting or other comparable experience or background. At least one member of the
Audit Committee will meet the SEC definition of a financial expert. The financial expert will be independent of management and
be named in the annual proxy statement.
Audit Committee members shall be appointed by the Board. If
an Audit Committee Chair is not designated or present, the members of the Committee may designate a Chair by majority vote of the Committee
membership.
The Committee shall meet at least seven times annually,
four of which are special meetings to approve earnings release information, or more frequently as circumstances dictate. The Committee should meet
privately in executive session at least annually with management, the independent auditors, and as a committee to discuss any matters that the
Committee or each of these groups believe should be discussed.
III. Audit Committee Responsibilities and Duties
A. Review Procedures
(1) |
|
Review and assess the adequacy of this Charter at least
annually. Submit the charter to the Board of Directors for approval and have the document published in accordance with the regulations of the
SEC. |
A-1
(2) |
|
In consultation with the management and the independent
auditors, consider the integrity of the Companys financial reporting processes and controls. Discuss significant financial risk exposures and the
steps management has taken to monitor, control and report such exposures. Review significant findings prepared by the independent auditors together
with managements responses. |
(3) |
|
Review with financial management and the independent auditors
the Companys annual audited financial statements prior to filing of the Companys annual audited financial statements with the SEC. Discuss
any significant changes to the Companys accounting principles or practices and any items required to be communicated by the independent auditors
in accordance with SAS 61. |
(4) |
|
Review with financial management and the independent auditors
the companys quarterly financial results prior to the filing of the Companys quarterly financial statements with the SEC. Discuss any
significant changes to the Companys accounting principles or practices and any items required to be communicated by the independent auditors in
accordance with SAS 61. The Chair of the Committee may represent the entire Audit Committee for purposes of this review. |
(5) |
|
On at least an annual basis, review with the Companys
counsel, any legal matters that could have a significant impact on the organizations financial statements, the Companys compliance with
applicable laws and regulations, and inquiries received from regulators or governmental agencies. |
B. Independent
Auditors
(1) |
|
The independent auditors are accountable to the Audit Committee
and the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee shall review the independence and performance of the auditors and annually recommend to the Board of
Directors the appointment of the independent auditors or approve any discharge of auditors when circumstances warrant. |
(2) |
|
Pre-approval of all audit related services provided
by the independent auditors. |
|
|
From time to time the Audit Committee may grant to the CEO and
CFO the authority to request audit related services not covered by the generally accepted auditing standards audit, quarterly reviews and
employee benefit plan engagement letters.
|
(3) |
|
Approve the fees and other significant compensation to be paid
to the independent auditors. |
(4) |
|
On an annual basis, the Committee should require the independent
auditors to deliver a formal written report describing all significant relationships that the independent auditors have with the Company that could
impair the auditors independence, and review, discuss and take appropriate action with respect to such report. |
(5) |
|
Review the independent auditors audit plandiscuss
scope, staffing, locations, reliance upon management and the general audit approach. |
(6) |
|
Consider the independent auditors judgments about the
quality and appropriateness of the Companys accounting principles as applied in its financial reporting. |
C. Other Audit Committee
Responsibilities
(1) |
|
Annually prepare a report to shareholders for inclusion in the
Companys annual proxy statement as required by the regulations of the SEC. |
(2) |
|
Perform any other activities consistent with this Charter, the
Companys bylaws, and governing law, as the Committee or the Board deems necessary or appropriate. |
A-2
(3) |
|
Maintain minutes of meetings and periodically report to the
Board of Directors on significant results of the foregoing activities. |
(4) |
|
Periodically perform self-assessment of Audit Committee
performance. |
(5) |
|
Review financial and accounting personnel succession planning
within the Company. |
(6) |
|
Establish procedures that meet the SEC requirements to receive,
retain and treat complaints from employees and others about accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters through a confidential and
anonymous submission process. |
A-3
|
|
|
|
Please |
o |
|
Mark Here |
|
for Address |
|
Change or |
|
Comments |
|
SEE REVERSE
SIDE |
|
|
|
|
FOR the nominees listed below (except as
marked to the contrary below) |
|
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY (to vote for the nominees
listed below) |
1. PROPOSAL 1-Election
of Director |
o |
|
o |
|
|
|
|
(Instructions: To withhold
authority to vote for the nominee, strike a line through the nominee's
name in the list below.) |
|
|
|
|
01
Brain W. Dunham for a three year term, expiring in 2009 |
|
|
|
02
Richard A. Roman for a three year term, expiring in 2009 |
|
|
|
03
Wayne B. Kingsley for a one year term, expiring in 2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. |
Upon such other matters as may properly come before, or
incident to the conduct of the Annual Meeting, the Proxy holders shall
vote in such manner as they determine to be in the best interests of the
Company. The Company is not presently aware of any such matters to be
presented for action at the meeting. |
|
|
|
|
|
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
THE COMPANY. IF NO SPECIFIC DIRECTION IS GIVEN AS TO ANY OF THE
ABOVE ITEMS, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES NAMED IN
PROPOSAL 1. THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES RECEIPT OF
THE COMPANY'S PROXY STATEMENT AND HEREBY REVOKES ANY OTHER PROXY OR
PROXIES PREVIOUSLY GIVEN. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY
RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES NAMED ABOVE. |
|
|
I do |
o |
do not |
o |
plan to attend the meeting. (please check) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please sign exactly as your name appears on the Proxy
Card. If shares are registered in more than one name, the signatures of
all such persons are required. A corporation should sign in its full
corporate name by a duly authorized officer, stating his/her title.
Trustees, guardians, executors and administrators should sign in their
official capacity, giving their full titles as such. If a partnership is
signing, please sign in the partnership name by authorized person(s). If
you receive more than one Proxy Card, please sign and return all such
cards in the accompanying envelope. |
|
|
|
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|
Signature |
|
Signature |
|
Dated: |
|
, 2005 |
|
|
|
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|
|
5 FOLD AND DETACH
HERE 5
Vote by Internet or Telephone or Mail
24
Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week
Internet and telephone voting is available
through 11:59 PM Eastern Time
the day prior to annual meeting day.
Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to
vote your shares in the same manner
as if you marked, signed and returned
your proxy card.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Internet http://www.proxyvoting.com/nwpx
Use the
internet to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you access
the web site. |
|
OR |
|
Telephone 1-866-540-5760
Use any
touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when
you call. |
|
OR |
|
Mail Mark, sign and
date your proxy card and return it in the enclosed
postage-paid envelope. |
If you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone,
you do
NOT need to mail back your proxy card.
You can view the Annual Report and Proxy Statement
on the
internet at www.nwpipe.com
NORTHWEST PIPE COMPANY
Proxy for Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be Held on May 9,
2006
|
The undersigned hereby
names, constitutes and appoints William R. Tagmyer and Brian W. Dunham, or
each of them acting in absence of the other, with full power of
substitution, my true and lawful attorneys and Proxies for me and in my
place and stead to attend the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of
Northwest Pipe Company (the "Company") to be held at 9:00 a.m. local time
in Portland, Oregon on Tuesday, May 9, 2006 at the Heathman Hotel, 1001
SW Broadway, Portland, OR 97205 and at any adjournments or postponements
thereof, and to vote all the shares of Common Stock held of record in the
name of the undersigned on March 15, 2006, with all the powers that the
undersigned would possess if he were personally present. |
|
|
|
|
|
(Continued, and to be marked, dated and signed, on the
other side) |
Address Change/Comments (Mark the
corresponding box on the reverse side)
You can now access your Northwest Pipe Company account
online.
Access your Northwest Pipe Company stockholder account online via
Investor ServiceDirect(R) (ISD).
Mellon Investor Services LLC, Transfer Agent for Northwest Pipe
Company, now makes it easy and convenient to get current information on your
shareholder account.
|
|
|
|
|
|
* |
View account status |
* |
View payment history for dividends |
|
* |
View certificate history |
* |
Make address changes |
|
* |
View book-entry information |
* |
Obtain a duplicate 1099 tax form |
|
|
|
* |
Establish/change your PIN |
Visit us on the web at http://www.melloninvestor.com
For Technical Assistance Call 1-877-978-7778 between
9am-7pm
Monday-Friday Eastern Time
Investor ServiceDirect(R) is a registered trademark
of Mellon Investor Services LLC