Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) | December 8, 2014 |
DARLING INGREDIENTS INC. | ||||
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter) |
Delaware | 001-13323 | 36-2495346 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
251 O’CONNOR RIDGE BLVD., SUITE 300, IRVING, TEXAS | 75038 | |||
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | (Zip Code) | |||
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: | (972) 717-0300 |
¨ | 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)) |
Item 5.02 | Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers. |
• | Pursuant to the Termination Benefits Agreement, the Company must provide Mr. Muse certain benefits (discussed below) upon any termination of his employment except (i) termination by reason of the voluntary resignation by Mr. Muse (other than resignation for “good reason” following a change in control), (ii) termination for cause (as defined in the Termination Benefits Agreement) or (iii) termination upon normal retirement (as defined in the Termination Benefits Agreement) by Mr. Muse. Neither permanent nor long-term disability status nor the death of Mr. Muse is deemed a termination for purposes of the Termination Benefits Agreement. Termination with the exceptions set forth above is referred to herein as an “Eligible Termination Event.” |
• | Subject to the mitigation provisions discussed below and Mr. Muse’s execution of a release of claims in respect of his employment with the Company, the Company must provide Mr. Muse the following benefits upon an Eligible Termination Event: (i) (A) periodic payment in the amount of Mr. Muse’s then-effective base salary until Mr. Muse has been paid one and one-half times his annual base salary at the highest rate in effect in the preceding twelve months (the “Termination Payment Amount”) or (B) in the case of a change in control (as defined in the Termination Benefits Agreement), if within twelve months following such change in control either the Company terminates Mr. Muse’s employment without cause or Mr. Muse resigns for “good reason” (a “Change in Control Termination”), a lump sum payment, within thirty days of the date of termination or resignation, equal to three times Mr. Muse’s annual base salary at the highest rate in effect in the preceding twelve months, (ii) any accrued vacation pay due but not yet taken at the date of the Eligible Termination Event, (iii) continued participation (including dependent coverage) in life and disability plans, and certain other similar benefits of the Company (or similar benefits provided by the Company) (the “Benefits”) in effect immediately prior to the date of termination for a period of eighteen months from the date of termination, or thirty-six months in the case of a Change in Control Termination, to the extent allowed under the applicable policies, and (iv) an |
• | “Good reason” is defined to be limited to material adverse changes to Mr. Muse's terms and conditions of employment, including (1) any material diminution of Mr. Muse's authority, duties or responsibilities; (2) any material diminution in Mr. Muse's base salary or incentive or bonus award opportunities; (3) any material change in the geographic location at which Mr. Muse must perform his duties for the Company; or (4) any action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the Termination Benefits Agreement. To claim good reason, Mr. Muse must provide timely notice to the Company which will then have an opportunity to cure the conditions claimed to create good reason. |
• | Mr. Muse is not entitled to any bonus under any Company executive bonus plan for the year in which the Eligible Termination Event occurs. |
• | In addition, upon an Eligible Termination Event, the Company will engage an outplacement counseling service of national reputation, at its own expense, to assist Mr. Muse in obtaining employment until the earliest of (i) two years from the date of the Eligible Termination Event, (ii) such date as Mr. Muse obtains employment or (iii) Company expenses related thereto equal $10,000. |
• | Mr. Muse is required to mitigate any Termination Payment Amount paid under the Termination Benefits Agreement by seeking other comparable employment as promptly as practicable after the Eligible Termination Event. Such Termination Payment Amount due under the Termination Benefits Agreement will be offset against or reduced by any amount earned from such other employment. The Benefits will terminate upon Mr. Muse’s obtaining such other employment. |
• | The initial term of the Termination Benefits Agreement expires on December 31, 2015 (the “Term”); provided, however, that the Term shall automatically extend for successive one (1) year periods on December 31, 2015 and each anniversary thereof, unless Mr. Muse’s employment is terminated prior thereto or the Company provides written notice to Mr. Muse of the Company’s intention not to extend the Term at least six (6) months prior to the applicable extension date. |
• | The Termination Benefits Agreement also contains obligations on Mr. Muse’s part regarding nondisclosure of confidential information, return of Company property, non-solicitation of employees during employment and for a period of one year following the termination of employment for any reason, non-disparagement of the Company and its business and continued cooperation in certain matters involving the Company. |
Exhibit Number | Description | |
10.1 | Form of Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement between Darling Ingredients Inc. and John O. Muse. | |
99.1 | Press Release dated December 8, 2014. |
DARLING INGREDIENTS INC. | |||
Date: December 9, 2014 | By: | /s/ John F. Sterling | |
John F. Sterling | |||
Executive Vice President and General Counsel |
Exhibit Number | Description | |
10.1 | Form of Senior Executive Termination Benefits Agreement between Darling Ingredients Inc. and John O. Muse. | |
99.1 | Press Release dated December 8, 2014. |