def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
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Filed by the Registrant x |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o |
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Check the appropriate box: |
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o Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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x Definitive Proxy Statement |
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o Definitive Additional Materials |
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o
Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
BIOMET INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy
Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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x No fee required. |
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o
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11. |
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1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies: |
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2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
applies: |
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3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the
filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
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4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
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o Fee paid previously
with preliminary materials. |
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o Check box if any part
of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act
Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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1) Amount Previously Paid: |
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2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
August 10, 2005
To the Shareholders of Biomet, Inc.:
You are cordially invited to attend our Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Friday, September 23,
2005, at 1:30 p.m., local time, at 2517 Restaurant located at 2517 East Center Street, Warsaw,
Indiana. Information regarding the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting can be found in
the accompanying Notice and Proxy Statement.
We hope you are planning to attend the Annual Meeting and look forward to seeing as many of you as
possible. The vote of each shareholder is of utmost importance. For this reason, we urge you to
vote your proxy promptly, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting.
On behalf of the Board of Directors and management of Biomet, Inc., I would like to extend our
appreciation for your continued support and confidence.
Sincerely,
BIOMET, INC.
Dane A. Miller, Ph.D.
President and Chief
Executive Officer
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 23, 2005
TO THE SHAREHOLDERS OF BIOMET, INC.:
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Biomet, Inc. will be held on Friday, September 23, 2005,
at 1:30 p.m., local time, at 2517 Restaurant located at 2517 E. Center Street, Warsaw,
Indiana, for the following purposes:
(1) |
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To elect five Class I directors to serve for terms of three years each. |
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(2) |
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To approve an amendment to the Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan to
increase by 5,000,000 Common Shares the number of Common Shares available for grant under the
Plan. |
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(3) |
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To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Biomets independent registered public
accounting
firm for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2006. |
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment
or postponement thereof. |
Shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 26, 2005 are entitled to receive
notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. We urge you to vote your shares promptly, even if
you hold only a few shares and regardless of whether or not you expect to be present at the
Annual Meeting in person.
By order of the Board of Directors,
Daniel P. Hann, Secretary
August 10, 2005
Warsaw, Indiana
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. PLEASE VOTE YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD SEPTEMBER 23, 2005
GENERAL INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of Biomet, Inc. in connection with the
solicitation by the Board of Directors of Biomet of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held at 2517 Restaurant located at 2517 E. Center Street, Warsaw, Indiana, on
Friday, September 23, 2005, at 1:30 p.m., local time, or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy card were first mailed to shareholders on or about
August 23, 2005. The following is important information in a question-and-answer format regarding
the Annual Meeting and this Proxy Statement.
What am I voting on?
You are voting on the following matters:
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The election of five Class I directors (C. Scott Harrison, M.D., Sandra A. Lamb,
Kenneth V. Miller,
Niles L. Noblitt and Marilyn Tucker Quayle) for three-year terms. |
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The approval of an amendment to the Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified Stock
Option
Plan to increase by 5,000,000 Common Shares the number of Common Shares available for grant
under the Plan. |
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The ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Biomets independent
registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2006. |
What are the Boards recommendations?
Unless you instruct otherwise on your proxy card, the proxy holders will vote in accordance with
the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The Boards recommendations are set forth with the
discussion of each matter set forth later in this Proxy Statement. In summary, the Board recommends
that you vote:
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FOR the election of the nominees for directors. |
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FOR the approval of an amendment to the Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified Stock
Option Plan to increase by 5,000,000 Common Shares the number of Common Shares available for
grant under the Plan. |
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FOR ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Biomets independent
registered
public accounting firm for fiscal year ending May 31, 2006. |
With respect to any other matter that properly comes before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment or postponement thereof, the proxy holders will vote in accordance with their best
judgment.
Who is entitled to vote?
Only those persons who own Biomet Common Shares at the close of business on the record date, July
26, 2005, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment
or postponement of the meeting. As of the record date, there were 249,564,889 Common Shares of
Biomet issued and outstanding. Each shareholder is entitled to one vote for each Biomet Common
Share owned as of the close of business on July 26, 2005.
What constitutes a quorum?
A quorum is represented by the holders of a majority of the Common Shares outstanding on the record
date and present, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting. Proxies submitted by brokers that
do not indicate voting instructions for a proposal are called broker non-votes. Broker non-votes
and abstentions will be included in the number of shares considered to be present at the Annual
Meeting for purposes of determining quorum, but will not be counted
for or against any
proposal. A quorum must be present for a proposal to be properly approved at the Annual Meeting.
What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner?
If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent you are considered
to be the shareholder of record with respect to those shares. This Proxy Statement, the
Annual Report to Shareholders and the proxy card have been sent directly to you.
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account, by a bank or other nominee, you are
considered to be the beneficial owner of the shares held in street name. This Proxy Statement
and the Annual Report to Shareholders have been forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other
nominee, who is considered to be the shareholder of record with respect to those shares. As the
beneficial owner of the shares, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee
how to vote your shares by using the voting instruction card included in the mailing.
How do I vote?
It is important that you vote each proxy you receive. If you submit a signed proxy, but do not
indicate your voting preference, your shares will be voted FOR the three proposals on your behalf.
Shareholders of Record. Shareholders of record may vote in person at the Annual
Meeting or by proxy, whether or not they plan to attend the Annual Meeting. This year there
are two convenient voting methods for shareholders of record to vote by proxy.
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Voting by Internet. We encourage you to vote by using the Internet at
www.proxyvote.com. Please
refer to the voting information on the proxy card and on the website for directions on the
manner in
which to transmit your voting instructions. Voting on the Internet has the same effect as
voting by mail.
The deadline for Internet voting is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time, Thursday, September 22, 2005.
Internet
voting is available 24 hours a day. If you vote by the Internet you should NOT return your
proxy card
by mail. |
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Voting by mail. If you choose to vote by mail, please mark, sign and date each proxy
card you receive
and return it as soon as possible in the postage-paid envelope provided. |
Beneficial Owners. Beneficial owners must refer to the voting information provided by their
broker, bank or other nominee to determine the manner in which voting instructions are to be
transmitted. A beneficial owner who wishes to vote in person at the Annual Meeting must obtain an
additional proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee to do so, and must present that proxy at
the Annual Meeting.
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How can I change my vote?
If you are a beneficial owner, you must contact your broker, bank or other nominee to determine how
to change your voting instructions. If you are a shareholder of record, you may change your vote at
any time prior to the tabulation of votes at the Annual Meeting. To do so, you must (1) deliver a
written notice of revocation to the Secretary of Biomet at P.O. Box 587, Warsaw, IN 46581-0587; (2)
submit a properly executed proxy bearing a later date in writing or on the Internet; or (3) attend
the Annual Meeting and cast your vote in person.
How do I vote my shares in Biomets Employee Stock Bonus Plan?
If you are one of Biomets team members (Biomet refers to its employees as team members) eligible
to participate in Biomets Employee Stock Bonus Plan (Bonus Plan), you will receive a request for
voting instructions from the Bonus Plan trustee with respect to the shares allocated to your
account in the Bonus Plan. You are entitled to direct the Bonus Plan trustee how to vote your Bonus
Plan shares. If you do not provide voting instructions to the Bonus Plan trustee within the
prescribed time, the shares allocated to your account in the Bonus Plan will be voted by the Bonus
Plan trustee in the same proportion as the shares held by the Bonus Plan trustee for which voting
instructions have been received from other members of the Bonus Plan. You may revoke your
previously provided voting instructions by filing with the Bonus Plan trustee either a written
notice of revocation or a properly executed proxy bearing a later date.
How many votes are needed to approve each item?
Election of Directors. The five nominees receiving the greatest number of votes will be
elected as directors. Withheld votes and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes in favor of
any nominee.
Other
matters. The approval of the amendment to the Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and
Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, the ratification of the independent registered public accounting
firm and approval of any other matter that properly comes before the Annual Meeting require that
the number of votes cast for exceed those cast against. Abstentions and broker non-votes will
not be counted as votes for or against any such matters.
What is householding and how does it affect me?
In an effort to reduce printing and postage costs, Biomet has adopted a process for mailing the
Annual Report to Shareholders and Proxy Statement known as householding. Householding has been
approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission and permits Biomet to mail only one copy of the
Annual Report and Proxy Statement to shareholders of record who share the same last name and
address, unless we receive contrary instructions from any shareholder of record at that address.
Each shareholder of record will continue to receive a separate proxy card and is entitled to vote
his or her shares individually.
If you prefer to receive multiple copies of the Annual Report and Proxy Statement at the same
address, additional copies will be provided to you promptly upon request. You may contact the
Investor Contact in writing at Biomet, Inc., P.O. Box 587, Warsaw, IN 46581-0587, or by telephone
at (574) 372-1514. If you are a shareholder of record receiving multiple copies of the Annual
Report and Proxy Statement and would prefer to receive a single copy, please contact us at the
address and phone number provided above. If you are a beneficial owner, information regarding
householding should be forwarded to you by your broker, bank or other nominee.
What does it mean if I get more than one proxy card?
It means you have shares registered in more than one account. Please vote all proxy cards to ensure
that all of your shares are counted.
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Who can attend the Annual Meeting?
All shareholders as of the close of business on July 26, 2005, or their duly appointed proxy
holders, may attend the Annual Meeting. Each shareholder may be accompanied by one guest. However,
seating will be limited. Admission to the Annual Meeting will be on a first-come, first-served
basis. Registration will begin at 1:00 p.m. (local time).
What time is the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will begin at 1:30 p.m., local time. Please note that local time is Eastern
Standard Time, not Eastern Daylight Savings Time (i.e., during this time of year, Warsaw is on the
same time as Chicago).
Who pays for the costs associated with this Proxy Statement?
Biomet will pay for all expenses in connection with the solicitation of proxies. We will also
provide to all brokers, dealers, banks and voting trustees, and their nominees, copies of this
Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy card and the Annual Report for mailing to beneficial owners
and, upon request, will reimburse such record holders for their reasonable expenses in connection
with such activities. Biomet expects to solicit proxies primarily by mail, but directors, officers
and employees of Biomet may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, by mail, facsimile
transmission, or other forms of electronic communication. Biomets directors, officers and
employees will not receive any additional compensation for such activities.
STOCK OWNERSHIP
Who are the beneficial owners of more than 5% of Biomets Common Shares?
The following table sets forth certain data with respect to those persons known by Biomet to be the
beneficial owners of more than 5% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of Biomet as of July
26, 2005.
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Name and Address |
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Amount and Nature |
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Percent |
of Beneficial Owner |
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of Beneficial Ownership |
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of Class |
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State Farm Mutual Automobile |
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18,912,818 |
1 |
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7.6 |
% |
Insurance Company and |
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related entities |
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One State Farm Plaza |
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Bloomington, Illinois 61710 |
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1According to a Schedule 13G/A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by State Farm
Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (SFMAIC) and certain related entities on January 21, 2005, as
of December 31, 2004, SFMAIC is the beneficial owner of 9,474,888 shares, as to which it has sole
voting and dispositive power for 9,409,500 shares and shared dispositive power for 65,388 shares.
State Farm Life Insurance Company is the beneficial owner of 174,268 shares, as to which it has
sole voting and dispositive power for 169,975 shares and shared dispositive power for 4,293 shares.
State Farm Fire and Casualty Company is the beneficial owner of 8,220 shares, as to which it has
shared voting and dispositive power. State Farm Investment Management Corp. is the beneficial owner
of 4,409,587 shares, as to which it has sole voting and dispositive power for 4,398,750 shares and
shared voting and dispositive power for 10,837 shares. State Farm Insurance Companies Employee
Retirement Trust is the beneficial owner of 7,305 shares, as to which it has shared voting and
dispositive power. State Farm Insurance Companies Savings and Thrift Plan for U.S. Employees is the
beneficial owner of 4,815,000 shares, as to which it has sole voting and dispositive power. State
Farm Mutual Fund Trust is the beneficial owner of 23,550 shares, as to which it has sole voting and
dispositive power.
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How many Common Shares do Biomets directors and executive officers own?
The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of Common Shares as of July 26, 2005, by
each director, each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table herein, and by all
directors and executive officers of Biomet as a group.
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Option |
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Number |
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Shares |
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Total Number |
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of Shares |
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Biomets |
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401(k) Profit |
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Exercisable |
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of Shares |
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Name of |
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Beneficially |
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Employee Stock |
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Sharing Plan |
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Within |
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Beneficially |
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Percent |
Beneficial Owner |
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Owned (1) |
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Bonus Plan (2) |
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and Trust (3) |
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60 Days (4) |
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Owned |
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of Class |
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Garry L. England |
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153,923 |
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23,327 |
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23,406 |
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14,750 |
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215,406 |
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* |
Jerry L. Ferguson |
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2,929,594 |
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3,739 |
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2,933,333 |
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1.2 |
% |
Daniel P. Hann |
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69,627 |
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10,847 |
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3,523 |
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14,750 |
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98,747 |
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* |
C. Scott Harrison, M.D. |
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643,964 |
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6,000 |
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649,964 |
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* |
M. Ray Harroff |
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50,673 |
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6,000 |
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56,673 |
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* |
Thomas F. Kearns, Jr. |
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9,648 |
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4,000 |
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13,648 |
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* |
Sandra A. Lamb |
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299 |
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2,000 |
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2,299 |
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* |
Dane A. Miller, Ph.D. |
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6,681,075 |
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32,135 |
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23,298 |
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6,736,508 |
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2.7 |
% |
Jerry L. Miller |
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3,695,729 |
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6,000 |
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3,701,729 |
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1.5 |
% |
Kenneth V. Miller |
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10,406 |
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6,000 |
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16,406 |
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* |
Charles E. Niemier |
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667,117 |
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27,823 |
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36,553 |
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14,750 |
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746,243 |
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* |
Niles L. Noblitt |
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4,002,276 |
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32,736 |
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54,028 |
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4,089,040 |
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1.6 |
% |
Marilyn Tucker Quayle |
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24,215 |
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6,000 |
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30,215 |
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* |
L. Gene Tanner |
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105,969 |
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4,000 |
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109,969 |
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* |
Other Executive |
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Officers
(6 persons) |
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444,029 |
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41,223 |
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47,546 |
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69,238 |
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602,036 |
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* |
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All Directors and Executive |
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Officers as a Group |
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(20 persons, including the foregoing) |
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153,488 |
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20,002,216 |
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8.0 |
% |
*Represents
less than 1.0% of Biomets issued and outstanding Common Shares.
(1) |
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Other than as noted below, each director and executive officer has sole or
shared voting power and investment power with respect to the Common Shares listed next to his
or her name: |
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Mr. Garry England4,050 shares held in an individual retirement account (IRA) for
Mr. Englands
benefit as to which he has investment power but no voting power and 3,386 shares owned of
record by Mr. Englands children, as to which Mr. England has no voting or investment power and
disclaims beneficial ownership. |
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Mr. Jerry Ferguson276,554 shares owned of record by Mr. Fergusons wife and 38,880 shares
held in an IRA for her benefit, as to which Mr. Ferguson has no voting or investment power and
disclaims beneficial ownership; and 58,806 shares held in an IRA for Mr. Fergusons benefit as to
which he has investment power but no voting power. |
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Dr. Dane Miller3,098,465 shares owned of record by Dr. Millers wife and 44,973 shares held
in an IRA for her benefit, as to which Dr. Miller has no voting or investment power and
disclaims
beneficial ownership; and 103,473 shares held in an IRA for the benefit of Dr. Miller, as
to which
he has investment power but no voting power. |
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Mr. Jerry Miller3,587,209 shares held in an estate planning trust for the benefit of Mr.
Miller, as
to which Mr. Miller has shared voting and investment power. |
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Mr. Charles Niemier88,481 shares owned of record by Mr. Niemiers wife and 30,573 shares
held in an IRA for her benefit, as to which Mr. Niemier has no voting or investment power
and
disclaims beneficial ownership; 71,082 shares held in an IRA for Mr. Niemiers benefit, as
to
which he has investment power but no voting power; and 250,848 shares held in trust for the
benefit of Mr. Niemiers children, as to which he has no voting or investment power and
disclaims
beneficial ownership. |
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Mr. Niles Noblitt1,997,259 shares owned of record by Mr. Noblitts wife, as to
which Mr. Noblitt
has no voting or investment power and disclaims beneficial ownership; 10,264 shares owned
of
record by Mr. Noblitts wife as custodian of their children, as to which Mr. Noblitt has no
voting
or investment power and disclaims beneficial ownership; and 10,264 shares owned of record
by
Mr. Noblitt as custodian for his children, as to which he has voting and investment power
but
disclaims beneficial ownership. |
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Other Executive Officers2,400 shares held by the children of two of these
executive officers, as to
which the executive officers have no voting or investment power and disclaim beneficial
ownership; 4,282 shares held in IRA accounts for the benefit of the spouses of two of these
executive
officers, as to which they have no voting or investment power and disclaim beneficial
ownership;
and 4,818 shares held in IRA accounts for the benefit of two of the executive officers, as
to which
they have investment power but no voting power. |
(2) |
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Biomets executive officers have accounts in Biomets Employee Stock Bonus Plan qualified
under
section 401 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code. The executive officers who hold shares pursuant
to the
Employee Stock Bonus Plan have voting power but do not have investment power for these shares. |
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(3) |
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Biomets executive officers may elect to participate in Biomets Profit Sharing Plan and
Trust
qualified under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. The officers have no voting power
for
the shares held in their accounts in the 401(k) plan. They have sole investment power with
respect to
any shares purchased through their personal contributions to their accounts in the 401(k)
plan. They
have no investment power with respect to the shares contributed by Biomet to their accounts in
the
401(k) plan. |
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(4) |
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Reflects the number of shares that could be purchased by the exercise of options
exercisable at
July 26, 2005, or within 60 days thereafter. |
6
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Number of Meetings. The Board of Directors met four times during fiscal year 2005. Each director
attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and committees on
which he or she served during fiscal year 2005.
Attendance at Annual Meetings of Shareholders. At this time, the Board of Directors does not have a
formal policy requiring that directors attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. However, it is
customary for directors to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, absent exceptional
circumstances, and all directors properly nominated for election are expected to attend the Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. All directors, other than Thomas F. Kearns, Jr., attended the 2004 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders. Mr. Kearns was not able to attend due to a scheduling conflict.
Director Independence. Eight of Biomets thirteen directors are non-employee directors. Although
Biomet has not adopted formal standards of materiality for independence purposes (other than those
set forth in The Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards), information provided by the directors and
Biomet did not indicate any material relationships that would impair the independence of any of the
non-employee directors. The Board has determined that each of its non-employee directors satisfies
the independence standards set forth in The Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards.
Executive Sessions of Non-Employee Directors. The Board holds meetings of its non-employee
directors in conjunction with each regularly scheduled meeting. The Chair of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee serves as the chair of these meetings.
Communications Between Shareholders and the Board. The Board of Directors has not established a
formal process for shareholders to send communications to the Board of Directors because it does
not believe that a specific process is necessary at this time. All Board members, including their
committee assignments, are identified each year in Biomets Proxy Statement. Communications that
are intended for members of the Board of Directors may be sent to the attention of the Secretary of
Biomet at P.O. Box 587, Warsaw, IN 46581-0587, with a cover letter indicating to whom the
correspondence is directed. All mail received will be opened and screened for security purposes.
Correspondence that is determined to be appropriate and within the purview of the Board of
Directors will be delivered to the respective Board member to which the communication is addressed.
Mail addressed to outside directors or non-employee directors will be delivered to the Chair
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mail addressed to the Board of Directors
will be delivered to the Chairman of the Board.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. All Biomet team members, including the Chief Executive
Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Controller and other persons performing similar functions, and
the Board of Directors, as well as certain other personnel associated with Biomet, are required to
comply with Biomets Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the Code). The Code is
based on five broad corporate values that shape Biomets business practices: (a) Legal/Compliance
Obligations, (b) Integrity, (c) Respect for People, (d) Dedication to Quality and (e) Stewardship.
The Code also includes a procedure for reporting any potential violation and a process for
investigating and resolving any potential violation. A copy of the Code is available on Biomets
website at www.biomet.com or a copy may also be requested free of charge by contacting
Biomets Investor Relations Department at Biomet, Inc., P.O. Box 587, Warsaw, IN 46581-0587 or at
(574) 372-1514.
7
ITEM
1ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Biomets Board of Directors currently has 13 members. Biomets Bylaws divide the Board of Directors
into three classes, with one class to be elected at each Annual Meeting of Shareholders. At the
Annual Meeting, the shareholders will vote to elect five directors in Class I to serve for a
three-year term expiring in 2008, or until their successors are elected and qualified. Class II
Directors and Class III Directors will not be elected at the Annual Meeting and will continue in
office until the Annual Meetings of Shareholders to be held in 2006 and 2007, respectively. The
Board of Directors has nominated the persons named below for election as Class I Directors. The
name, age, business background and tenure as a director of Biomet of each nominee and each director
continuing in office are set forth below. Jerry L. Miller and Kenneth V. Miller are brothers. No
other family relationship exists among any of the nominees or continuing directors. Except as
otherwise indicated, the principal occupations of the nominees and continuing directors have not
changed during the last five years. The nominees for director have consented to serve, if elected,
and Biomet has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve. Should any
nominee become unavailable for any reason, proxies may be voted for an alternate candidate chosen
by the Board of Directors. The five nominees for director receiving the greatest number of votes
will be elected as directors. Withheld votes and broker non-votes are not counted as votes in favor
of any nominee. Unless the returned proxy indicates otherwise, the proxy will be voted FOR the
nominees named below.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the nominees below.
DIRECTORS STANDING FOR ELECTION
Name, Age and Business Experience
Class I: For a Three-Year Term Expiring at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Scott Harrison, M.D., age 68
|
|
Director since 1994 |
Member: Executive, Nominating and Corporate Governance (Chair) and Audit Committees. Dr. Harrison
is the founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of CURE International (non-profit
organization).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sandra A. Lamb, age 60
|
|
Director since 2004 |
Member: Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees. Ms. Lamb is President and CEO of
Lamb Advisors LLC (consulting firm advising nonprofit organizations on strategic alliances and
change solutions). Prior to 2003, Ms. Lamb was a managing director at Lazard Freres & Co. LLC
(investment banking firm) advising corporate clients on mergers and acquisitions and finance. Ms.
Lamb also serves as a director of a nonprofit organization and an educational organization.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Kenneth V. Miller, age 57
|
|
Director since 1979 |
Member: Executive and Audit (Chair) Committees. Mr. Miller is a self-employed attorney, venture
capitalist and a principal in Havirco (private investment management firm). Mr. Miller is a
director and a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of AvTech
Laboratories, Inc. (pharmaceutical laboratory) and TEAM Industries, Inc. (manufacturer of expanded
polystyrene products). Mr. Miller is also a director of Keystone Community Bank and a member of the
Board of Trustees of Western Michigan University, as well the Chair of the Advisory Board of
Haworth College of Business at Western Michigan University. In addition, Mr. Miller serves as a
director of various charitable and civic organizations.
8
Class I: For a Three-year Term Expiring at the 2008 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (Continued)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Niles L. Noblitt, age 54
|
|
Director since 1977 |
Member: Executive Committee. Mr. Noblitt is one of the four founders of Biomet and is the Chairman
of the Board. Mr. Noblitt is also a director of Advanced Medical Technology Association (AdvaMed)
(association of manufacturers of medical devices) and a trustee of Rose Hulman Institute of
Technology.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marilyn Tucker Quayle, age 56
|
|
Director since 1993 |
Member: Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Ms. Quayle is a director and President of
BTC, Inc. (private investment holding company) and a director of booksfree.com. In addition, Ms.
Quayle is a director of the Telluride Foundation (non-profit organization). Prior to 2001, Ms.
Quayle was an attorney engaged in private practice as a partner in the Indianapolis, Indiana
law firm of Krieg, DeVault, Alexander & Capehart.
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
Name, Age
and Business Experience
Class II: Term Expires at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry L. Ferguson, age 64
|
|
Director since 1978 |
Member: Executive Committee. Mr. Ferguson is one of the four founders of Biomet and is the
Vice Chairman of the Board.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel P. Hann, age 50
|
|
Director since 1989
|
Mr. Hann is the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Biomet and a member
of the Nasdaq Listing and Hearing Review Council of The Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thomas F. Kearns, Jr., age 68
|
|
Director since 1983 |
Member: Compensation and Stock Option Committee. Mr. Kearns is a retired partner of Bear, Stearns &
Co., Inc. (investment banking firm). Mr. Kearns is a trustee of the University of North Carolina
Foundation, a director of Fibrogen Corporation (biotechnology company) and a director of the Omega
Institute (non-profit organization).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dane A. Miller, Ph.D., age 59
|
|
Director since 1977 |
Member: Executive Committee. Dr. Miller is one of the four founders of Biomet and is the President
and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Miller is a member of the Indiana Economic Development
Corporation, a director of 1st Source Corporation (bank holding company), a trustee of Kettering
University (formerly General Motors Institute), a member of the Board of the University of Chicago
Health Systems and serves on the Engineering Advisory Committee of the University of Cincinnati.
9
Class III: Term Expires at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
|
|
|
|
|
|
M. Ray Harroff, age 65
|
|
Director since 1977
|
Member: Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Harroff is one of the four founders
of Biomet and is President of Stonehenge Links Village Development (real estate development
company).
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry L. Miller, age 59
|
|
Director since 1979 |
Member: Executive and Compensation and Stock Option (Chair) Committees. Mr. Miller is a
self-employed attorney, venture capitalist and a principal in Havirco (private investment
management firm). Mr. Miller is a director and a member of the Compensation Committee of the Board
of Directors of AvTech Laboratories, Inc. (pharmaceutical laboratory) and TEAM Industries, Inc.
(manufacturer of expanded polystyrene products). In addition, Mr. Miller serves as a director of
various charitable and civic organizations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Niemier, age 49
|
|
Director since 1987 |
Mr. Niemier is the Senior Vice President International Operations of Biomet. Mr. Niemier is a
trustee of Valparaiso University, a member of the Board of Directors of Lakeland Financial
Corporation (Lake City Bank) and a member of the Board of Directors of Kosciusko 21st Century
Foundation, Inc. (non-profit organization).
|
|
|
|
|
|
L. Gene Tanner, age 72
|
|
Director since 1985
|
Member: Audit and Compensation and Stock Option Committees. Mr. Tanner is Vice Chairman of the
Board of NatCity Investments, Inc. (investment banking firm) and a director of the Indiana Chamber
of Commerce. In addition, Mr. Tanner serves as a director of various charitable organizations.
10
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Board Committee Membership
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nominating |
|
Compensation |
|
|
|
|
|
|
and Corporate |
|
and Stock |
|
|
Executive |
|
Audit |
|
Governance |
|
Option |
Name |
|
Committee |
|
Committee |
|
Committee |
|
Committee |
Jerry L. Ferguson |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel P. Hann |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Scott Harrison, M.D. |
|
X |
|
X |
|
X |
|
|
M. Ray Harroff |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
Thomas F. Kearns, Jr. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X |
Sandra A. Lamb |
|
|
|
X |
|
X |
|
|
Dane A. Miller, Ph.D. |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jerry L. Miller |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
Kenneth V. Miller |
|
X |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Niemier |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Niles L. Noblitt |
|
X |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marilyn Tucker Quayle |
|
|
|
|
|
X |
|
|
L. Gene Tanner |
|
|
|
X |
|
|
|
X |
The Executive Committee has full authority from the Board of Directors to conduct business within
the limits prescribed by Indiana law. The Executive Committee met five times during fiscal year
2005.
The function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight
responsibilities as they relate to Biomets accounting policies, internal controls and financial
reporting practices. The Audit Committee fulfills this responsibility by reviewing the financial
reporting process, the systems of internal control, the audit process and Biomets process for
monitoring compliance with laws and regulations and with its code of conduct. The Audit Committee
also establishes policies and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors with respect to the
approval of transactions between Biomet and its directors, officers and employees; reviews and
approves any related-party transactions; appoints Biomets independent accountants; and reviews
Biomets compliance with applicable laws, regulations and internal procedures. The Audit Committee
consists only of directors who, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, are independent within
the meaning of The Nasdaq Stock Market listing standards. The Audit Committee and the Board of
Directors have determined that each of the members of the Audit Committee qualifies as an audit
committee financial expert within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee Charter is posted in the Corporate Governance Section of
Biomets website at www.biomet.com. A free copy may also be requested by contacting
Biomets Investor Relations Department at P.O. Box 587, Warsaw, IN 46581-0587 or at (574) 372-1514.
The Audit Committee met ten times during fiscal year 2005.
11
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, receiving
and reviewing recommendations for nominations to the Board of Directors, establishing eligibility
criteria and procedures for identifying potential nominees to the Board of Directors and
recommending individuals as nominees for election to the Board of Directors. The Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee is also responsible for recommending to the Board the director
nominees for each committee of the Board; providing oversight of the corporate governance affairs
of the Board and Biomet; and assisting in the evaluation of the Board, its committees and the
individual directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consists only of directors
who, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, are independent within the meaning of The Nasdaq
Stock Market listing standards. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter is posted
in the Corporate Governance Section of Biomets website at www.biomet.com. A free copy may
also be requested by contacting Biomets Investor Relations Department at P.O. Box 587, Warsaw, IN
46581-0587 or at (574) 372-1514. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met twice during
fiscal year 2005.
The Compensation and Stock Option Committee is responsible for administering the compensation
programs and stock option plans for Biomets executive officers and employees. Presently, no member
of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee participates in any of these plans with the
exception that each of the non-employee director members automatically receives an option to
purchase 2,000 Common Shares every year during his or her service as a non-employee director of
Biomet pursuant to the terms of the Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee consists only of directors who, in the judgment
of the Board of Directors, are independent in accordance with The Nasdaq Stock Market listing
standards. The Compensation and Stock Option Committee met three times during fiscal year 2005.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Fees are paid to Biomets Board of Directors and its committee members as follows*:
|
|
|
|
|
Annual retainer for non-employee directors |
|
$ |
25,000 |
** |
|
|
|
|
|
Annual retainer for non-employee members of the Executive Committee |
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual retainer for non-employee members of the Audit Committee |
|
$ |
20,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting attendance fee for non-employee directors and non-employee members
of committees (except meetings of the Compensation and Stock Option and Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committees held in conjunction with a meeting of the
Board of Directors, for which no meeting fee is paid) |
|
$ |
1,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meeting fee for telephonic participation by non-employee directors and non-employee
members of committees (except meetings of the Compensation and Stock Option
and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees held in conjunction with a
meeting of the Board of Directors, for which no meeting fee is paid) |
|
$ |
1,000 |
|
*At its meeting held March 19, 2005, the Board of Directors unanimously decided to cease its
practice of paying fees to directors who are employees of the Company for attending meetings.
Prior thereto, employee directors received $800 for attending meetings in person and $500 for
attending meetings by telephone.
**Directors who are not employees of the Company shall take, at each directors election, between
50% and 100% of the annual retainer fee in the form of a grant of Common Shares of the Company. A
minimum of 50% of the retainer fee received in Common Shares shall be held in trust by the Company
until such directors retirement from the Board of Directors.
12
Each director who is not a Biomet employee is automatically granted an option to purchase
2,000 Common Shares every year during his or her service on the Board of Directors pursuant to the
terms of the Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (1998 Plan). The
1998 Plan provides that the purchase price of option shares may not be less than the fair market
value per Common Share on the date of grant and the term of the option may not exceed ten years
from the date of grant.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Compensation and Stock Option Committee is comprised of Jerry L. Miller (Chair), Thomas F.
Kearns, Jr. and L. Gene Tanner. None of the members of the
Compensation and Stock Option Committee is now serving or
previously has served as an officer of Biomet or any of its subsidiaries. None of Biomets
executive officers serves as a director of, or in any compensation-related capacity for, other
companies with which members of Biomets Compensation and Stock Option Committee are affiliated.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
General
The following Summary Compensation Table sets forth, for the three years ended May 31, 2005,
certain information with respect to the compensation of Biomets President and Chief Executive
Officer and the four other most highly-compensated executive officers who served in such capacities
as of May 31, 2005.
Summary Compensation Table
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual |
|
Incentive |
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year |
|
Compensation |
|
Awards |
|
All Other |
Name and Principal Position |
|
ended May 31 |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Stock Options(#) |
|
Compensation1 |
|
Dane A.
Miller, Ph.D. |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
317,000 |
|
|
$ |
251,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
16,575 |
|
President and |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
300,800 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,388 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
284,000 |
|
|
|
245,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Niles L. Noblitt |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
317,000 |
|
|
$ |
251,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
16,575 |
|
Chairman of the Board |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
300,800 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
17,388 |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
284,000 |
|
|
|
245,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charles E. Niemier |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
314,400 |
|
|
$ |
258,000 |
|
|
|
27,000 |
|
|
$ |
16,575 |
|
Senior Vice
President |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
298,300 |
|
|
|
242,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
17,388 |
|
International Operations |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
281,800 |
|
|
|
198,000 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Garry L. England |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
294,600 |
2 |
|
$ |
266,000 |
|
|
|
33,000 |
|
|
$ |
14,175 |
|
Senior Vice
President |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
279,500 |
2 |
|
|
242,000 |
|
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
13,838 |
|
Warsaw Operations |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
264,100 |
|
|
|
220,000 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
13,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel P. Hann |
|
|
2005 |
|
|
$ |
290,500 |
2 |
|
$ |
211,000 |
2 |
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
$ |
16,575 |
|
Senior Vice President, |
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
275,600 |
2 |
|
|
231,000 |
2 |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
17,388 |
|
General Counsel and Secretary |
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
260,400 |
|
|
|
205,800 |
|
|
|
4,000 |
|
|
|
16,500 |
|
1Represents the value of Biomets contribution to the Employee Stock Bonus Plan ($6,300, $6,150 and
$6,000 for each of the named executives during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively), Biomets
contribution to the 401(k) Plan ($7,875, $7,688 and $7,500 for each of the named executives during
2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively) and director meeting attendance fees ($2,400, $3,550 and $3,000
paid to Dr. Miller, Mr. Noblitt, Mr. Niemier, and Mr. Hann during 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively).
2Includes that portion of compensation for Mr. England and Mr. Hann deferred at their
election pursuant to the Biomet, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan, as more fully described on page
17 of this Proxy Statement.
13
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Potential Realizable Value |
|
|
Securities |
|
Percent of Total |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
at Assumed Annual |
|
|
Underlying |
|
Options Granted |
|
Exercise |
|
|
|
|
|
Rates of Stock Price |
|
|
Options
Granted1 |
|
to Employees in |
|
Price |
|
Expiration |
|
Appreciation for Option Term2 |
Name |
|
(#) |
|
Fiscal Year 2005 |
|
($/Sh) |
|
Date |
|
5%($) |
|
10% ($) |
Charles E. Niemier |
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
$ |
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/07 |
|
|
$ |
12,918 |
|
|
$ |
27,128 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/08 |
|
|
|
17,662 |
|
|
|
38,036 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/09 |
|
|
|
22,643 |
|
|
|
50,035 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/10 |
|
|
|
27,873 |
|
|
|
63,234 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/11 |
|
|
|
33,364 |
|
|
|
77,753 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/12 |
|
|
|
39,130 |
|
|
|
93,724 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/13 |
|
|
|
45,185 |
|
|
|
111,292 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/14 |
|
|
|
51,542 |
|
|
|
130,617 |
|
|
|
|
12,000 |
3 |
|
|
0.50 |
% |
|
|
41.60 |
|
|
|
1/02/10 |
|
|
|
137,920 |
|
|
|
304,767 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Garry L. England |
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
$ |
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/07 |
|
|
$ |
12,918 |
|
|
$ |
27,128 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/08 |
|
|
|
17,662 |
|
|
|
38,036 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/09 |
|
|
|
22,643 |
|
|
|
50,035 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/10 |
|
|
|
27,873 |
|
|
|
63,234 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/11 |
|
|
|
33,364 |
|
|
|
77,753 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/12 |
|
|
|
39,130 |
|
|
|
93,724 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/13 |
|
|
|
45,185 |
|
|
|
111,292 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/14 |
|
|
|
51,542 |
|
|
|
130,617 |
|
|
|
|
18,000 |
3 |
|
|
0.75 |
% |
|
|
41.60 |
|
|
|
1/02/10 |
|
|
|
206,880 |
|
|
|
457,150 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel P. Hann |
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
$ |
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/07 |
|
|
$ |
12,918 |
|
|
$ |
27,128 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/08 |
|
|
|
17,662 |
|
|
|
38,036 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/09 |
|
|
|
22,643 |
|
|
|
50,035 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/10 |
|
|
|
27,873 |
|
|
|
63,234 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/11 |
|
|
|
33,364 |
|
|
|
77,753 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/12 |
|
|
|
39,130 |
|
|
|
93,724 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/13 |
|
|
|
45,185 |
|
|
|
111,292 |
|
|
|
|
1,875 |
|
|
|
0.08 |
% |
|
|
43.71 |
|
|
|
6/28/14 |
|
|
|
51,542 |
|
|
|
130,617 |
|
|
|
|
10,000 |
3 |
|
|
0.21 |
% |
|
|
41.60 |
|
|
|
1/02/10 |
|
|
|
114,933 |
|
|
|
253,972 |
|
1These options were granted under the Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified
Stock Option Plan. They were granted at fair market value at the time of the grant, do not become
exercisable until at least one year from the date of grant and carry with them the right to deliver
previously owned shares in payment of the option price and to satisfy tax withholding requirements.
2The dollar amounts shown in these columns are the result of calculations at the 5% and
10% appreciation rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to
forecast the actual appreciation, if any, of Biomets stock price. Biomet did not use an alternate
formula to determine potential realizable value because it is not aware of any formula that is able
to determine with reasonable accuracy the potential realizable value based on future unknown or
volatile factors.
3Each of the executive officers named above in the Summary Compensation Table (Named
Officer) was granted a conditional performance stock option on January 3, 2005 by the Compensation
and Stock Option Committee. The actual number of shares available for exercise by each Named
Officer, which may vary from no shares to 150% of the number of shares contained in the Summary
Compensation Table, shall be determined pursuant to a calculation based on the performance of the
Companys stock price in comparison to a peer group of companies over the three-year period
beginning January 3, 2005 and ending December 31, 2007. The terms of the option require the Named
Officer to hold the shares acquired until such officers retirement or separation from the Company.
Additional information regarding these conditional performance stock options is contained in a
Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on January 3, 2005.
14
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Unexercised Options |
|
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money |
|
|
Shares Acquired |
|
Value |
|
at May 31, 2005 |
|
Options at May 31, 20052 |
Name |
|
on Exercise |
|
Realized1 |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
|
Exercisable |
|
Unexercisable |
Charles E. Niemier |
|
|
5,438 |
|
|
$ |
156,555 |
|
|
|
7,625 |
|
|
|
58,500 |
|
|
$ |
162,023 |
|
|
$ |
323,696 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Garry L. England |
|
|
5,438 |
|
|
$ |
143,643 |
|
|
|
7,625 |
|
|
|
64,500 |
|
|
$ |
162,023 |
|
|
$ |
323,696 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daniel P. Hann |
|
|
5,438 |
|
|
$ |
158,947 |
|
|
|
7,625 |
|
|
|
56,500 |
|
|
$ |
162,023 |
|
|
$ |
323,696 |
|
1Upon exercise of an option, an individual does not receive cash equal to the amount contained
in the Value Realized column of this table. Instead, the Value Realized represents the difference
between the base (or exercise) price of the option shares and the market price of the option shares
on the date the option was exercised. It does not include any taxes which may have been owed. No
cash is received until or unless the shares received upon exercise of an option are sold.
2Represents the difference between the base (or exercise) price of the option shares
and a market price of $37.68 per share, the closing price of the Common Shares reported by The
Nasdaq Stock Market on May 31, 2005.
REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND STOCK OPTION COMMITTEE
The Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of Directors (referred to herein as the
Committee) is responsible for administering the compensation and benefit programs for Biomets
team members, including the executive officers. The Committee annually reviews and evaluates cash
compensation and stock option grant recommendations made by the Chairman of the Board and the
President and Chief Executive Officer for the executive officers (other than for themselves) along
with the rationale for such recommendations, as well as summary information regarding the aggregate
compensation, provided to the Companys executive officers. The Committee examines these
recommendations in relation to Biomets overall objectives and makes compensation recommendations
to the Board of Directors for final approval. The Committee also sends to the Board of Directors
for approval its recommendations on compensation for the Chairman of the Board and the President
and Chief Executive Officer, who do not participate in the decisions of the Board as to their
compensation packages. Neither the Chairman of the Board nor the President and Chief Executive
Officer is a member of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee.
What is Biomets philosophy of executive officer compensation?
Biomets current executive compensation policies and practices reflect the compensation
philosophies of Biomets founders. Biomet is committed to maximizing shareholder value through
performance. The Committee believes that an essential element to reaching that goal is the superior
performance of Biomets executive officers and management team. Biomets practices and policies are
designed to help achieve this objective by accomplishing the following goals:
|
|
|
Attracting, retaining and rewarding highly-qualified and productive persons. |
|
|
|
|
Relating compensation to both company and individual performance. |
|
|
|
|
Establishing compensation levels that are internally equitable and externally competitive. |
|
|
|
|
Encouraging an ownership interest and instilling a sense of pride in Biomet,
consistent with the
interests of Biomets shareholders. |
The Committee firmly believes that all team members play a critical role in Biomets success and,
therefore, all team members are eligible to participate in Biomets cash and equity compensation
plans. The Committee continues to believe in one of Biomets founding philosophies: equity
incentives in the form of stock options are an excellent motivation for all team members, including
executive officers, and serve to align the interests of team members, management and shareholders.
15
Based on these objectives, the compensation package of the executive officers consists of five
primary elements:
|
|
|
base salary, |
|
|
|
|
incentive bonuses, |
|
|
|
|
stock options, |
|
|
|
|
participation in employee benefit plans, and |
|
|
|
|
deferred compensation elections. |
Base Salary. A base salary is set for each executive officer at the beginning of each calendar year
by the Board of Directors, after receiving a recommendation from the Committee. The Committee
recommends to the Board of Directors what it believes to be an appropriate base salary for each
executive officer based on Biomets performance, the executive officers performance, Biomets
future objectives and challenges, and the current competitive environment. During fiscal year 2005,
the base salary of the executive officers as a group increased from 4% to 6%, depending on the
performance of the operations supervised by the respective executive officer.
Incentive Bonuses. A significant portion of each executive officers annual compensation is based
on the financial performance of Biomet. Approximately one-half of each executive officers
potential annual cash compensation is based upon an incentive bonus, which is accrued and paid at
the mid-point and the conclusion of each fiscal year. The potential bonus is determined at the
discretion of the Committee and approved by the Board of Directors at the beginning of each fiscal
year. In exercising its discretion, the Committee takes into account the growth in revenues and
earnings and working capital management of the operations for which the executive officer is
responsible or plays a significant role, as well as the goals, objectives, responsibilities and
length of service of each officer.
Stock Options. Stock options have always been a key element in Biomets long-term incentives
program. The primary purpose of stock options is to provide executive officers and other team
members with a personal and financial interest in Biomets success through stock ownership, thereby
aligning the interests of such persons with those of Biomets shareholders. This broad-based
program is a vital element of Biomets goal to empower and motivate outstanding long-term
contributions by team members within all levels of Biomet. The Committee believes that stock
options help to create an entrepreneurial environment within Biomet and instill the spirit of a
small company. Additionally, the Committee believes stock options provide broad incentives for the
day-to-day achievements of all team members in order to sustain and enhance Biomets long-term
performance.
The Committee believes that the value of stock options will reflect Biomets financial performance
over the long term. Because Biomets employee stock option program provides for at least a one-year
waiting period before options may be exercised and an exercise price at fair market value as of the
date of grant, executive officers and other team members benefit from stock options only when the
market value of the Common Shares increases over time. Individual executive officer stock option
awards are based on level of responsibility, individual contribution, length of service and total
number of Common Shares owned in relation to other executive officers. All team members are
eligible to receive stock options. The current plan provides that all hourly team members of Biomet
and its subsidiaries in the United States and most other countries receive a stock option after
just two years of service with Biomet or one of its subsidiaries.
During fiscal year 2005, the Committee granted conditional performance stock options to the
Companys executive officers, with the exception of the Companys President and Chief Executive
Officer, the Chairman of the Board and the Vice Chairman of the Board. In accordance with the
Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, the exercise price for the subject
shares is equal to the fair market value of a Common Share of the Companys stock as of the close
of business on the date of grant of the option. The actual number of shares available for exercise
by each executive officer, which may vary from no shares to 150% of the number of shares stated in
the conditional performance stock option, shall be
16
determined by a calculation based on the performance of the Companys stock price in comparison to
a peer group of companies over a three-year time period. The terms of the conditional performance
stock option agreements require the executive officer to hold the shares acquired until such
officers retirement or separation from the Company.
Benefit Plans. The executive officers may also participate in Biomets 401(k) Plan and the Employee
Stock Bonus Plan (ESBP). All team members residing in the United States who are at least 18 years
of age and complete at least 90 days of continuous service or work at least 1,000 hours per year
are also eligible to participate in both plans. With respect to the 401(k) Plan, each year Biomet,
in its sole discretion, may match 75% of each team members contributions, up to a maximum amount
equal to 5% of the team members compensation, either in cash or in Common Shares. All
contributions to the 401(k) Plan are allocated to accounts maintained on behalf of each
participating team member and, to the extent vested, are distributed to the team member or
beneficiary upon retirement, death, disability or termination of service. Historically, the 401(k)
Plan has purchased Common Shares with Biomets matching contribution. Biomet may make contributions
to the ESBP in the form of Common Shares or cash in such amounts, if any, as it may determine in
its sole discretion, and participating team members may make voluntary contributions to the ESBP in
amounts up to 10% of their annual compensation. Historically, Biomet has made contributions to the
ESBP equal to 3% of each team members annual salary, up to the maximum amount permitted by
applicable Internal Revenue Service regulations. The funds accumulated under the ESBP are invested
by the trustee primarily in Biomet Common Shares. To the extent vested, distributions are made to
team members or beneficiaries at retirement, death, disability or termination of service, in Common
Shares or, at the team members option, in cash. Because a significant portion of the assets of
both of these plans is invested in Biomets Common Shares, they serve to further align the
interests of team members and management with shareholders.
Deferred Compensation Plan. The Biomet, Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan (the Plan), a
non-qualified deferred compensation plan, is available for Biomets highly-compensated team members
and members of the Board of Directors. The Plan allows eligible participants to defer pre-tax
compensation to reduce current tax liability and assist those team members in their plan for
retirement and other long-term savings goals in a tax-effective manner. Biomet does not make any
contributions to the Plan. Under the Plan, eligible participants may defer up to 100% of their base
salary and bonus payments, as well as Board of Director fees, if applicable. All distributions from
the Plan are treated as ordinary income subject to federal and state income taxation at the time of
distribution. Amounts contributed to the Plan are deemed investments, which means that the
participants have no ownership interest in the investment alternative selected. The participants
deferrals and gains are reflected on Biomets financial statements and are unsecured general assets
of Biomet. The Plan is an unfunded future promise to pay on behalf of Biomet. Neither Biomet nor
the plan recordkeeper provides any guarantee of investment return.
How is Biomets President and Chief Executive Officer compensated?
The compensation for Biomets President and Chief Executive Officer, Dane A. Miller, Ph.D., is
established by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee and approved by the Board of Directors.
Dr. Miller is not a member of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee and does not participate
in decisions of the Board of Directors with respect to his compensation. Over the years, Dr. Miller
has received modest increases in his cash compensation, notwithstanding Biomets strong financial
results. These modest increases reflect his cost-conscious management style and belief that the
financial success of management should be closely aligned with shareholder interests through
appreciation in the value of Biomets stock. Dr. Miller has never received a stock option and he
does not participate in Biomets stock option program. Notwithstanding an increase of 16% and 8% in
Biomets net sales and net income, respectively, for fiscal year 2005, the total compensation paid
to Dr. Miller decreased approximately 1.5% during fiscal year 2005. This decrease in compensation
is the consequence of Dr. Miller receiving less than his full target bonus as a result of the
Companys failure to meet its internally established earnings goals for fiscal year 2005.
17
As discussed earlier, a significant portion of each executive officers compensation is in the form
of an incentive bonus, which is determined at the discretion of the Board of Directors, and is
partially based on the performance of the Companys operations. The Committee believes that the
executive compensation programs and practices described above are conservative and fair to Biomets
shareholders. The Committee further believes that these programs and practices serve the best
interests of Biomet and its shareholders.
Respectfully submitted,
Compensation and Stock Option Committee
Jerry L. Miller, Chair
Thomas F. Kearns, Jr.
L. Gene Tanner
REPORT OF NOMINATING AND
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, reviewing
and recommending nominees for director, recommending director nominees for each committee of the
Board of Directors and providing oversight of the corporate governance affairs of the Board and
Biomet. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates pursuant to its Charter adopted
June 27, 2003, a copy of which is available in the Corporate Governance section of Biomets website
at www. biomet.com. A free copy may also be requested by contacting Biomets Investor
Relations Department at P.O. Box 587, Warsaw IN 46581-0587 or at (574) 372-1514.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has no fixed process for identifying and
evaluating potential candidates to be nominees. To date, the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee has not retained the services of any third party to assist in the process of identifying
or evaluating potential candidates. Likewise, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has
no fixed set of qualifications that must be satisfied before a candidate will be considered.
Rather, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has the flexibility to consider such
factors as it deems appropriate. These factors may include education, diversity, experience with
businesses and other organizations of comparable size to Biomet, the interplay of the candidates
experience with that of other members of the Board of Directors and the extent to which the
candidate would be a desirable addition to the Board of Directors and any of the committees of the
Board of Directors.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider for nomination as directors persons
recommended by shareholders provided that such recommendations are in writing and delivered to the
attention of the Secretary of Biomet, P.O. Box 587, Warsaw IN 46581-0587, and delivered to, or
mailed and received at, such address not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. In the event that less than 70 days notice or prior public
disclosure of the date of the Annual Meeting is given or made to shareholders, any notice of
nomination by a shareholder must be received no later than the close of business on the tenth day
following the day on which such notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public
disclosure was made. Further information regarding the submission of nominees for director is
provided on page 27 of this Proxy Statement. The Nominating and Corporate
18
Governance Committee will evaluate nominees for director submitted by shareholders in the same
manner in which it evaluates other director nominees.
Respectfully submitted,
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
C. Scott Harrison, M.D., Chair
M. Ray Harroff
Sandra A. Lamb
Marilyn Tucker Quayle
REPORT OF AUDIT COMMITTEE
The primary function of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its
oversight responsibilities as they relate to Biomets accounting policies, internal controls and
financial reporting practices. The Audit Committee fulfills this responsibility by reviewing the
financial reporting process, the systems of internal control, the audit process and Biomets
process for monitoring compliance with laws and regulations and with its Code of Business Conduct
and Ethics. In performing its duties, the Audit Committee maintains effective working relationships
with the Board of Directors, management, the internal audit staff and the independent accountants.
The Audit Committee operates pursuant to a Charter adopted June 27, 2003, a copy of which was
attached to Biomets 2003 Proxy Statement. To effectively perform his or her role, each committee
member will obtain an understanding of the detailed responsibilities of committee membership as
well as Biomets business, operations and risks.
The Audit Committee fulfills its responsibilities through periodic meetings with Biomets
independent accountants, internal auditors and members of Biomets management. During fiscal year
2005, the Audit Committee met ten times.
The Audit Committee has discussed the quality and adequacy of Biomets internal controls with
management, the internal auditors and the independent accountants. The Audit Committee has
considered and reviewed with the internal auditors and independent accountants their audit plans,
the scope of the audit, the identification of audit risks and the results of the internal audit
examinations. The Audit Committee has adopted an Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy.
The Audit Committee has reviewed Biomets audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
May 31, 2005, and discussed them with management and Biomets independent accountants. Management
has the responsibility for the preparation and integrity of Biomets financial statements and the
independent accountants have the responsibility for the examination of those statements. The Audit
Committees review included discussion with the independent accountants of matters required to be
discussed pursuant to Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communication With Audit Committees).
The Audit Committee has received and reviewed written disclosures and a letter from the independent
accountants required by the Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, entitled Independence
Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended to date, and has discussed with the independent
accountants their independence from management. The Audit Committee has determined that the
provision of non-audit services to Biomet during the most recently ended fiscal year by the
independent accountants is compatible with maintaining their independence.
19
During fiscal year 2005, management completed its documentation, testing and evaluation of the
adequacy of the internal control structure and procedures for financial reporting established and
maintained by the Companys management as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
and related rules and regulations. The Audit Committee was apprised of the progress of the
evaluation by both management and Ernst & Young LLP, and the Audit Committee provided oversight and
advice to management during the process. At the conclusion of this process, management reviewed
with the Audit Committee its report on the effectiveness of the internal control structure and
procedures of the Company for financial reporting. The Audit Committee also received the report
from Ernst & Young LLP thereon.
Based upon the review of the financial statements and discussions with management and the
independent accountants, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that Biomets audited
financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May
31, 2005 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
During fiscal year 2005, the Audit Committee reviewed all transactions between Biomet and its
executive officers. The Audit Committee believes the terms of these transactions are no less
favorable to Biomet than would have been available in the absence of the relationship with the
executive officer.
The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public
accounting firm for Biomets fiscal year 2006.
It is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that Biomets
financial statements are complete, accurate and in accordance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. Those responsibilities belong to Biomets management and independent
accountants. In giving its recommendations to the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee has
relied on (a) managements representation that such financial statements have been prepared with
integrity and objectivity and in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the
United States, and (b) the report of Biomets independent accountants with respect to such
financial statements.
Respectfully submitted,
Audit Committee
Kenneth V. Miller, Chair
C. Scott Harrison, M.D.
Sandra A. Lamb
L. Gene Tanner
20
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on Biomets Common Shares with
the cumulative total return of Standard & Poors 500 Stock Index (S&P 500 Index) and Standard &
Poors Health Care Equipment Index (S&P Health Care Index) for the five most recent fiscal years
ended May 31. The comparison assumes $100 invested on May 31, 2000, and the reinvestment of
dividends in Biomets Common Shares and in each of the indices.
COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
AMONG COMMON SHARES OF BIOMET, INC., THE S&P 500 INDEX
AND THE S&P HEALTH CARE INDEX
INDEXED RETURNS
Years ending
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|
|
|
|
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|
|
|
|
Base Period |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Company/Index |
|
5/31/00 |
|
5/31/01 |
|
5/31/02 |
|
5/31/03 |
|
5/31/04 |
|
5/31/05 |
|
Biomet, Inc. |
|
$ |
100 |
|
|
$ |
186.47 |
|
|
$ |
177.25 |
|
|
$ |
173.40 |
|
|
$ |
254.16 |
|
|
$ |
239.79 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P 500 Index |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
89.45 |
|
|
|
77.06 |
|
|
|
70.85 |
|
|
|
83.83 |
|
|
|
90.74 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S&P Health Care Index |
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
98.49 |
|
|
|
107.01 |
|
|
|
111.05 |
|
|
|
143.98 |
|
|
|
146.85 |
|
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Dane A. Miller, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors
of Biomet, is a majority shareholder in a corporation which provides the use of an aircraft to
Biomet on an as-needed basis. Biomet pays a flat monthly fee of $39,750, plus sales tax, to that
corporation for the use of the aircraft. During the last fiscal year, Biomet made payments to that
corporation of approximately $505,620 in rental fees. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors
has reviewed this relationship and believes the rental rate and other terms of this arrangement to
be no less favorable to Biomet than would have been available in the absence of the relationship
described.
21
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Biomets directors, executive
officers and persons who own more than 10 percent of a registered class of Biomets equity
securities to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership of Biomet Common Shares and other equity securities. Officers,
directors and greater-than-ten percent shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish
Biomet with copies of all Section 16(a) forms filed by them.
During fiscal year 2005, two of Biomets executive officers, James W. Haller and Garry L. England,
did not timely report changes in beneficial ownership. Mr. Haller did not timely report the grant
of a stock option to purchase an aggregate of 10,000 shares granted on June 29, 2004. Mr. England
did not timely report the exercise of a stock option to purchase 938 shares on January 10, 2005.
Other than the transactions noted above, to Biomets knowledge, based solely on the review of the
copies of such reports furnished to Biomet and written representations that no other reports were
required, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and
greater-than-ten percent beneficial owners were complied with on a timely basis during the fiscal
year ended May 31, 2005.
ITEM
2APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT TO BIOMET, INC 1998 QUALIFIED AND
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN
Subject to the approval of the shareholders, the Board of Directors has adopted an amendment (the
Amendment) to the Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the Plan)
pursuant to which the number of Common Shares available for grant under the Plan shall be increased
by 5,000,000 Common Shares. As of July 26, 2005, there were approximately 416,063 shares remaining
available for grant under the Plan and 9,314,304 shares subject to issuance upon the exercise of
outstanding stock options. The Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options qualified
under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (referred to as Qualified Options) and options not
so qualified (Non-Qualified Options). Options may be granted under the Plan to key employees of
the Company and its subsidiaries, to persons engaged in the sale or distribution of the products of
the Company and its subsidiaries (sales representatives) and to non-employee directors of the
Company. The Amendment will not affect currently outstanding options previously granted under the
Plan. The expiration date of the Plan, which remains unchanged by this Amendment, is August 2,
2008, the last date on which options may be granted pursuant to the Plan.
Before you decide how to vote, you should review the essential features of the Plan summarized
below. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the plan, as
amended by this Amendment, which is included as Annex A to this Proxy Statement.
Purpose
The Compensation and Stock Option Committee (the Committee) firmly believes in the participation
by employees, directors and sales representatives in equity compensation plans, and that such plans
provide an excellent incentive and serve to align the interests of employees, directors and sales
representatives, with shareholders. Stock options have always been a key element in the Companys
compensation programs. The Committee and the Board of Directors, however, recognize that the shares
remaining available for issuance pursuant to the Plan, approximately 416,063 shares as of July 26,
2005, are insufficient to permit
22
the Company to meet the stated purposes of the Plan, i.e. to incentivize the Companys
directors, employees and sales representatives and to align the interests of those groups with the
Companys shareholders. Additional shares will need to be added to the Plan to accommodate future
awards. Accordingly, the Board of Directors is requesting the Companys shareholders consider and
approve the Amendment to increase the number of Common Shares reserved for issuance under the Plan.
Administration
The Plan will continue to be administered, construed and interpreted by the Committee, which
consists of directors of the Company all of whom are non-employee directors of the Company,
within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Committee selects the
employees and sales representatives to whom options will be granted and determines the time of
grant, the number of Common Shares to be covered by each option, whether such option shall be a
Qualified Option or a Non-Qualified Option (only employees may receive Qualified Options), the
option price, the period of time within which the option may be exercised, and other terms and
conditions of options granted. A Non-Qualified Option to purchase 2,000 shares will be granted
automatically to each non-employee director every year. All options will be granted at an option
price equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant.
Eligibility
Options may be granted under the Plan only to those key employees (approximately 6,100 individuals)
and sales representatives (approximately 2,400 individuals) selected by the Committee and to
non-employee directors (currently eight individuals). Employees (including employees who are also
directors or sales representatives) may be granted either Qualified Options or Non-Qualified
Options, and more than one grant may be made to any one individual. Non-employee directors and
non-employee sales representatives may receive only Non-Qualified Options.
Reservation of Shares
The Plan originally permitted the granting of options to purchase an aggregate of 15,750,000 Common
Shares, when adjusted for splits, over the ten-year life of the Plan. The Amendment will increase
the aggregate number of Common Shares reserved under the Plan to 20,750,000 Common Shares. In the
event of changes affecting the number or class of Common Shares such as a stock split or a
consolidation of shares, the payment of a share dividend, or other increase or decrease in the
Common Shares effected without new compensation to the Company, the aggregate number of shares for
which options may be granted, the number of shares covered by each outstanding option, and the
exercise price per share for each option will be proportionately adjusted. On July 26, 2005, the
closing price of the Companys Common Stock on The Nasdaq Stock Market was $37.83.
Terms of the Options
Exercise Price. The price to be paid for Common Shares upon exercise of each option
pursuant to the Plan may not be less than the fair market value of such shares on the date on which
the option is granted. The exercise price of any Qualified Option granted to a person owning more
than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company (as determined under the Plan) may not be less
than 110% of such fair market value. Upon the exercise, the exercise price is to be paid in full in
cash or cash equivalents or by surrender or withholding of a number of Common Shares of the Company
having a fair market value equal to the exercise price, or by other means permitted under the Plan.
23
Term of Options. No option may have a term that is longer than ten years from the date
of grant, and any Qualified Option granted to a person owning more than 10% of the outstanding
shares of the Company must terminate not later than five years from the date of grant.
Exercise of Options. Options may be exercisable in full at any time, or on a cumulative
basis from time to time, but subject to any limitations imposed by the Committee at the time of the
grant. It is the current policy of the Committee to prohibit the exercise of options prior to the
first anniversary of the date of the grant of a qualified option, and to provide for the forfeiture
of any options held in the event of termination of employment. The aggregate fair market value
(determined at the time the option is granted) of shares with respect to which Qualified Options
are exercisable for the first time by the optionee during any calendar year may not exceed
$100,000. With certain exceptions, upon an optionees separation from service with the Company or a
subsidiary, all rights under any option granted to such person, but not yet exercised, terminate.
An optionee may exercise options at any time within three months after separation from service due
to retirement with the consent of the Company or if otherwise permitted by the Committee, in its
discretion, or at any time within twelve months after separation from service due to permanent and
total disability. In the event of the optionees death, the optionees options which were
exercisable on the date of death may be exercised by the optionees personal representative at any
time within twelve months from the date of death. All outstanding options would be immediately
exercisable upon a change of control of the Company. Options granted pursuant to the Plan may not
be exercised until the requirements of all applicable federal and state laws pertaining to the
offer and sale of securities issued under the Plan have been met.
Transferability of Option. No option may be assigned or transferred, except for transfers
by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
Amendment and Termination
The Board of Directors of the Company may, from time to time, alter, amend, suspend or discontinue
the operation of the Plan; provided, however, that the following changes in the Plan may not be
made without the approval of the shareholders of the Company: (a) an increase in the number of
Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan; (b) a change in the class of shares for which
options may be granted under the Plan; (c) a change in the designation of the persons or class of
persons eligible to receive options under the plan; or (d) a change in the provisions concerning
the exercise price.
New Plan Benefits
The benefits or amounts that will be received by or allocated to (1) each of our executive
officers named in the table on page 13, (2) all current executive officers, as a group, (3) all
current directors who are not executive officers, as a group, and (4) all employees, including
all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group, are not presently determinable,
except for the automatic Non-Qualified Options to purchase 2,000 shares granted to each
non-employee director every year. Grants under the Plan are made at the discretion of the
Committee.
Federal Income Tax Consequences
Qualified Options. The grant of a Qualified Option under the Plan generally will have no
federal income tax consequences to the Company or the optionee. Except for alternative minimum tax
purposes, the exercise of a Qualified Option pursuant to the Plan will have no federal income tax
consequences to the Company or the optionee. An optionee generally will recognize a capital gain or
loss upon the sale of shares acquired in exercising a Qualified Option, provided that the shares
are sold at least two years after the date of grant of
24
the option and at least one year after the optionee acquires the shares. An optionee generally
will recognize ordinary income upon the sale of shares acquired in exercising a Qualified Option if
the sale is made within two years of the date the option was granted or within one year of the date
the shares were transferred to the optionee. In such event, the amount of ordinary income
recognized by the optionee generally will equal the difference between the option price and the
fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise. The Company may take an income tax
deduction for compensation conveyed by a Qualified Option only in situations (and in the taxable
year) in which the employee must recognize ordinary income.
Non-Qualified Options. The grant of a Non-Qualified Option under the Plan generally will
have no federal income tax consequences to the Company or the optionee. However, upon exercising a
Non-Qualified Option granted under the Plan, an optionee normally will recognize ordinary income in
an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the acquired shares on the date of
exercise over the option price. The optionees basis in the shares acquired in exercising a
Non-Qualified Option generally will equal the option price, plus the amount included in the
optionees income upon exercise. Upon the disposition of the acquired shares, the optionee
generally will recognize a capital gain or loss, as the case may be, to the extent of the
difference between the optionees basis in the shares and the sales price. Whether the optionees
gain will be treated as long-term or short-term will depend upon the holding period of the shares,
which normally begins on the date immediately following the date on which the shares are acquired
upon exercise of the Non-Qualified Option. Gain from the sale or exchange of the acquired shares
generally will be treated as long-term if the shares are deemed to be held for more than one year.
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table sets forth information regarding the securities to be issued and the securities
remaining available for issuance under the Companys stock-based incentive plans as of May 31, 2005
(in thousands, except exercise price per share):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities Remaining |
|
|
Number of Securities to |
|
Weighted-Average |
|
Available for Future Issuance |
|
|
Be Issued upon Exercise |
|
Exercise Price of |
|
Under Equity Compensation |
|
|
of Outstanding Options, |
|
Outstanding Options, |
|
Plans (excluding securities |
|
|
Warrants and Rights |
|
Warrants and Rights |
|
reflected in first column) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved
by security holders |
|
|
8,063,835 |
|
|
$ |
31.86 |
|
|
|
1,874,307 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans not approved
by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
8,063,835 |
|
|
$ |
31.86 |
|
|
|
1,874,307 |
|
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR the approval of the Amendment
to the Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan.
25
ITEM
3RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee has appointed the firm of Ernst & Young LLP (Ernst & Young), independent
registered public accountants, to serve as independent accountants for the year ending May 31,
2006. The Board of Directors has determined that it would be desirable to request that the
shareholders ratify such selection. Biomet has been advised by Ernst & Young that neither it nor
any of its associates has any direct or material indirect financial interest in Biomet.
Representatives of Ernst & Young are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. They will have
the opportunity to make a statement, if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to
respond to appropriate questions concerning the audit for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2005.
MATTERS RELATING TO AUDITORS
Fees for professional services provided by our independent accountants in each of the last two
fiscal years, in each of the following categories are:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
2004 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
2,150,729 |
|
|
$ |
1,187,462 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
46,570 |
|
|
|
83,122 |
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
18,317 |
|
|
|
109,018 |
|
All Other Fees |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,215,616 |
|
|
$ |
1,379,602 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fees for audit services include fees associated with the annual audit of consolidated financial
statements (including Sarbanes-Oxley 404 attestation in 2005), the reviews of Biomets quarterly
reports on Form 10-Q, audit-related accounting consultations, audit-related acquisition accounting
and statutory audits required internationally. Audit-related fees principally included due
diligence in connection with acquisitions, assistance with implementation of various rules and
standards and benefit plan audits. Tax fees included tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.
Pursuant to the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy, the Audit Committee, or the
Chair of the Audit Committee, is responsible for approving in advance all audit and permitted
non-audit services to be performed for Biomet by its independent accountants. Prior to the
engagement of the independent accountants for the next years audit, management, with the
participation of the independent accountants, submits to the Audit Committee for approval an
aggregate request for services expected to be rendered during that year for various categories of
services. In the event that additional services are required from the independent accountants, the
Audit Committee has delegated authority to approve or deny such requests to the Chair of the
Audit Committee.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
To the extent that this Proxy Statement is incorporated by reference into any other filing by
Biomet under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the sections of
this Proxy Statement entitled Report of Audit Committee, Report of the Compensation and Stock
Option Committee and Stock Performance Graph, as well as the exhibits to this Proxy Statement,
will not be deemed incorporated, unless specifically provided otherwise in such filing.
26
INFORMATION REGARDING SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
FOR THE 2005 ANNUAL MEETING
If you wish to submit a shareholder proposal pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 to be included in the proxy materials for Biomets Annual Meeting for the fiscal year
ended May 31, 2006, you should submit your proposal in writing to the Secretary of Biomet, P.O. Box
587, Warsaw, IN 46581-0587, no later than April 23, 2006.
Biomets Bylaws establish an advance notice procedure with regard to shareholder nominations of
directors. If you wish to submit director nominees for consideration by the shareholders at
Biomets 2006 Annual Meeting, you must provide a written notice to the Secretary of Biomet, P.O.
Box 587, Warsaw, IN 46581-0587. Such written notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received
at, such address not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days prior to next years Annual Meeting.
In the event that less than 70 days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the Annual
Meeting is given or made to shareholders, any notice of nomination by a shareholder must be
received no later than the close of business on the tenth day following the day on which such
notice of the date of the Annual Meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. Such
written notice must also contain specified information concerning the person(s) to be nominated and
concerning the shareholder making such nominations. You may obtain a copy of Biomets Bylaws from
the Secretary of Biomet. If you notify Biomet after July 6, 2006, of an intent to present a
proposal at Biomets 2006 Annual Meeting, Biomets proxy holders will have the right to exercise
discretionary voting authority with respect to such proposal, if presented at the meeting, without
including information regarding such proposal in Biomets proxy materials.
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board of Directors of Biomet has no knowledge of any
matters to be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting other than those referred to above.
If (a) any matters of which Biomet did not have notice by July 6, 2005 (45 days prior to August 19,
the first date of mailing of proxy materials for last years Annual Meeting), should properly come
before the meeting; (b) a person not named herein is nominated at the meeting for election as a
director because a nominee named herein is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve; or (c)
any matters should arise incident to the conduct of the meeting, then the proxies will be voted in
accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors of Biomet.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
Daniel P. Hann, Secretary
August 10, 2005
27
BIOMET, INC.
1998 QUALIFIED AND NON-QUALIFIED
STOCK OPTION PLAN
(as amended June 24, 2005)
1. |
|
DEFINITIONS. The following terms, when capitalized herein, shall have the meanings specified in
this Section: |
|
(a) |
|
Board of Directors or Board means the Board of Directors of Biomet, Inc. |
|
|
(b) |
|
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and in effect from time to time. |
|
|
(c) |
|
Committee means the committee appointed by the Board of Directors, pursuant to Section
3(a),
to administer this Plan. |
|
|
(d) |
|
Common Shares means the Common Shares of the Company. |
|
|
(e) |
|
Company means Biomet, Inc., an Indiana corporation. |
|
|
(f) |
|
Director means a member of the Board of Directors of the Company. |
|
|
(g) |
|
Distributor means a Person engaged in the sale or distribution of products of the Company
or a
Subsidiary. |
|
|
(h) |
|
Employee means an individual employed by the Company or any Subsidiary. A Director of the
Company shall not be deemed to be employed by the Company solely as a result of his or her
position as a Director. |
|
|
(i) |
|
Employer means, collectively, or where the context is appropriate, individually, the
Company and/or any of its Subsidiaries. |
|
|
(j) |
|
Expiration Date means August 2, 2008, the last date on which Options may be granted
pursuant to this Plan. |
|
|
(k) |
|
Fair Market Value means the closing price of the Common Shares as reported by The Nasdaq
Stock Market or by any national securities exchange on which Common Shares may be traded. |
|
|
(l) |
|
Notice of Option means a written communication by the Company or a Subsidiary to an
Optionee confirming the grant of an Option pursuant to this Plan. |
|
|
(m) |
|
Non-Employee Director means a Director of the Company who is a non-employee
director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3. |
|
|
(n) |
|
Option means a right to purchase Common Shares granted pursuant to this Plan. Options may
be either Qualified Options, which are defined as Options intended to meet the requirements
of Section 422 of the Code, or Non-Qualified Options, which are defined as Options not
intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code. |
|
|
(o) |
|
Optionee means a Person to whom an Option is granted under this Plan. |
|
|
(p) |
|
Person means an individual, partnership, joint venture, association, trust, corporation
or other entity that is not a wholly-owned Subsidiary. |
|
|
(q) |
|
Plan means this Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan. |
28
|
(r) |
|
Retirement means, with respect to: |
|
(i) |
|
an Employee, retirement from the Employer pursuant to the early or
normal retirement provisions of any applicable retirement plan; |
|
|
(ii) |
|
a Non-Employee Director, termination of service as a Director; and |
|
|
(iii) |
|
a Non-Employee Distributor who is a natural person, Separation from Service
after the Distributor has attained age 55 and has served the Company or any Subsidiary
for at least 10 years. |
|
(s) |
|
Rule 16b-3 means Rule 16b-3 of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any successor
rule. |
|
|
(t) |
|
Separation from Service or Separates from Service means with respect to: |
|
(i) |
|
an Employee, any voluntary or involuntary termination of the
Employees employment with the Employer for any reason, including, but not
limited to, death, disability or Retirement; provided, however, the term shall
not include the transfer of an Employees employment from the Company to any
Subsidiary, from a Subsidiary to the Company or between Subsidiaries; |
|
|
(ii) |
|
a Non-Employee Director, termination of service as a Director; and |
|
|
(iii) |
|
a Non-Employee Distributor, any voluntary or involuntary termination of the
Non-Employee Distributors independent contractor relationship with the Company or any
Subsidiary for any reason, including, but not limited to, death, disability or
Retirement, but shall not include termination of the relationship by reason of a
Non-Employee Distributor becoming an Employee. |
|
(u) |
|
Subsidiary means a company (whether or not incorporated) 50% or more of the total
combined voting power and 50% or more of the total value of which is owned directly or
indirectly by the Company. |
|
|
(v) |
|
10% Shareholder means an individual possessing more than 10% of the total
combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or any Subsidiary. An
individual shall be considered as owning any shares owned, directly or indirectly, by or
for his or her brothers or sisters (whether by whole or half blood), spouse, ancestors and
lineal descendants. Shares owned, directly or indirectly, by or for a corporation,
partnership, estate or trust shall be considered as being owned proportionately by or for
its shareholders, partners or beneficiaries. |
|
|
(w) |
|
1934 Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. |
2. |
|
PURPOSE. This Plan is intended to advance the interests of the Company by providing to Non-Employee
Directors, key Employees and certain Distributors an opportunity to acquire or increase
a proprietary interest in the Company, and thereby to create in these Persons a stronger incentive
to expend their maximum efforts for the growth and success of the Company and its Subsidiaries, and
to encourage these Persons to remain in the employ or service of the Company or its Subsidiaries. |
|
3. |
|
ADMINISTRATION. |
|
(a) |
|
COMMITTEE. This Plan shall be administered by a Committee appointed by the
Board of
Directors, consisting of two or more Directors, all of whom are at all times Non-Employee
Directors. |
|
|
(b) |
|
POWER AND AUTHORITY. The Committee shall have the full power and authority to
take all
actions and make all determinations required or provided for under this Plan; to interpret
and |
29
|
|
|
construe the provisions of this Plan or any Notice of Option, which interpretation or
construction shall be final, conclusive and binding on the Company, the Employer and the
Optionee; and to take any and all other actions and make any and all other determinations
not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of this Plan which the Committee
deems necessary or appropriate in the administration of this Plan. The Committee may from
time to time prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations applicable to this Plan. |
|
|
(c) |
|
ACTIONS AND DETERMINATIONS. A majority of the Committee shall constitute a
quorum for
purposes of any action or determination by the Committee. Each member may be counted in
determining the existence of a quorum at any meeting of the Committee. All actions and
determinations of the Committee shall be made by an affirmative vote of not less than a majority
of its
members, or by unanimous written consent. Each member of the Committee shall be entitled to
vote on any matters affecting the administration of this Plan or the grant of any Options
pursuant
to this Plan; however, no member shall act upon the granting of an Option to himself or
herself
except pursuant to action taken by unanimous written consent. |
|
|
(d) |
|
RULE 16b-3 COMPLIANCE. Notwithstanding the other provisions of this
Section 3, each
member of the Committee who is not, at the time any action is taken, a Non-Employee
Director
shall abstain or recuse himself or herself from any action to be taken with respect to the
grant of
Options to which the provisions of Rule 16b-3 are intended to apply, and the members of the
Committee who are Non-Employee Directors shall have full power to act independently with
respect thereto. |
4. |
|
ELIGIBILITY. The Persons eligible to receive grants of Options pursuant to this Plan, and
the bases on which Options may be granted, are as follows: |
|
(a) |
|
KEY EMPLOYEES. Those individuals who are key Employees, as determined from
time to
time by the Committee. In determining the key Employees and the extent of their
participation,
the Committee shall take into account such factors as are deemed relevant by the Committee
in its
sole and absolute discretion in furtherance of the purposes of this Plan. Options granted
to key
Employees may be designated as Qualified Options or Non-Qualified Options. |
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NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS. As soon as practicable at the beginning of each
calendar year,
each Non-Employee Director shall be granted an Option to purchase 2,000 Common Shares at a
price and upon the other terms and conditions specified in this Plan, provided, that the
number of
Options that may be granted to all Non-Employee Directors shall not exceed 10% of the
Common
Shares subject to this Plan. A Non-Employee Director shall not be eligible to receive or
exercise
any Option if the exercise of that Option would result in that Non-Employee Director
owning,
directly or indirectly, Common Shares possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting
power of all classes of shares of the Company. Options granted to Non-Employee Directors
shall
be Non-Qualified Options. No Option shall be granted to any Director serving on the
Committee
who is not a Non-Employee Director. |
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(c) |
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DISTRIBUTORS. Those Persons who are Distributors and who are determined by
the Committee
to be eligible to participate in this Plan. In determining the Distributors eligible to
participate and
the extent of their participation, the Committee shall take into account such factors as
are deemed
relevant by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion in furtherance of the
purposes of this
Plan. Options granted to Distributors shall be designated as Non-Qualified Options, unless
the
Distributor is an Employee, in which case the Options may be designated as Qualified
Options or
Non-Qualified Options. |
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No Qualified Option shall be granted to any Employee (whether a key Employee or a
Distributor) who, at the time the Option is granted, is a 10% Shareholder unless, at the
time the Option is granted, the Option price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of
the Common Shares as of the date of grant of the Option and the Option by its terms is not
exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant of the Option. |
5. |
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SHARES. Options may be granted for the purchase of authorized but unissued, or
reacquired,
Common Shares. The total number of Common Shares with respect to which Options may be
granted shall not exceed in the aggregate 20,750,000 Common Shares, except as adjusted in
accordance with the provisions set forth in Section 7(g). In the event any
outstanding Option
expires or is terminated in whole or in part for any reason prior to the Expiration Date,
any
Common Shares as to which the Option was not exercised may again be subject to an Option
granted under this Plan. During the period that any Options granted under this Plan are
outstanding,
the Company shall reserve and keep available that number of Common Shares sufficient to
satisfy
all outstanding, unexercised Options. |
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6. |
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MAXIMUM EXERCISE. The aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the Option(s) is
granted) of the Common Shares with respect to which Qualified Options are exercisable for the
first
time by an Employee during any calendar year (under all option plans of the Company within the
meaning of Code Section 422(d)) shall not exceed $100,000 (as may be adjusted from time to time
by
applicable law) (the Cap). In the event the Fair Market Value of Common Shares subject to a
Qualified Option exceeds the Cap, the Option in excess of the Cap shall be deemed to be a
Non-Qualified
Option. The character of all Options as Qualified or Non-Qualified under this Section 6
shall be determined with reference to the order in which Options were granted. |
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7. |
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TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this
Plan, the Committee may grant Options to eligible individuals upon such terms and conditions as
the
Committee shall determine. The date on which the Committee approves the grant of an Option shall
be considered the date on which the Option is granted. Options granted pursuant to this Plan
shall be
evidenced by a Notice of Option in such form, consistent with this Plan, as the Committee shall
prescribe from time to time. The Notice of Option shall state whether the Option evidenced
thereby is
a Qualified Option or a Non-Qualified Option. Any provision of this Plan or of a Notice of
Option with
respect to a Qualified Option that is not consistent with the requirements of Code Section 422
shall be
inoperative and the Plan or Notice of Option shall be deemed to incorporate any term necessary
to
conform it to Code Section 422. The grant and exercise of Options also shall comply with and be
subject to the following terms and conditions: |
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(a) |
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MEDIUM AND TIME OF PAYMENT. |
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(i) |
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In General. An Option may be exercised by delivery of payment for
the Common Shares subject to the Option accompanied by a properly executed written
notice of exercise in a form prescribed by the Committee. The notice of exercise shall
specify the number of Common Shares with respect to which the Option is being
exercised. The Committee may prescribe in the Notice of Option a minimum number of
Common Shares with respect to which an Option may be exercised. Except as provided in
Section 7(a)(ii), payment in full of the purchase price of the Common Shares
for which an Option is exercised shall be made either (A) in cash or in cash
equivalents; (B) if the Optionee can do so without violating Rule 16b-3 or Section
16(b) of the 1934 Act, through the tender to the Company of Common Shares or the
withholding of Common Shares subject to the Option, which Common Shares |
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shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which the purchase price has
been paid, at their Fair Market Value on the date of exercise; (C) by any other arrangement
satisfactory to the Committee; or (D) a combination of the methods prescribed in (A), (B)
or (C); provided, however, that the Committee may in its discretion impose and set forth in
the Notice of Option such limitations or prohibitions on the use of Common Shares to
exercise Options as it deems appropriate. Any attempt to exercise an Option other than as
set forth in this Section 7(a) shall be invalid and of no force or effect. |
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Use of Brokers. The Committee may provide, by inclusion of appropriate
language in a Notice of Option, that payment in full of the purchase price need not
accompany notice of exercise provided the notice of exercise directs that the certificate
or certificates for the Common Shares for which the Option is exercised shall be delivered
to a licensed broker acceptable to the Company as the agent for the individual exercising
the Option and, at the time such certificate or certificates are delivered, the broker
tenders to the Company cash or cash equivalents acceptable to the Company in an amount
equal to the purchase price for the Common Shares purchased plus the amount (if any) of
federal and other taxes that the Company may, in its sole judgment, determine to be
required to be withheld with respect to the exercise of the Option. |
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Issuance of Certificates. Subject to Section 7(j), promptly after
the exercise of an Option and the payment in full of the purchase price for the Common
Shares, the individual exercising the Option shall be entitled to the issuance of a
certificate or certificates evidencing ownership of the Common Shares purchased. |
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(b) |
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NUMBER OF SHARES. The Notice of Option shall state the total number of Common Shares
which may be purchased pursuant to the grant of the Option. |
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(c) |
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OPTION PRICE. The purchase price of each Common Share subject to an Option shall be
fixed
by the Committee at an amount not less than the Fair Market Value of a Common Share as of the
close of business on the date of grant of the Option. The Notice of Option shall state the
purchase
price of the Common Shares subject to the Option. |
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(d) |
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TERM OF OPTIONS. Each Option granted under this Plan shall expire within the period
prescribed in the Notice of Option relating to that Option, which shall not be more than five
years
from the date the Option is granted if the Optionee is a 10% Shareholder and not more than ten
years from the date the Option is granted if the Optionee is not a 10% Shareholder. The Notice
of
Option shall state the date of the grant of the Option. |
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(e) |
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TIME OF EXERCISE. The Committee may, in its discretion, provide in a Notice of Option
that an
Option granted under this Plan may not be exercised in whole or in part until the expiration of
such period or periods of time, or the attainment of such objectives, as may be specified by
the
Committee; provided, however, that any limitation on the exercise of an Option may be
rescinded,
modified or waived by the Committee, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time
after the date of grant of such Option so as to accelerate the time in which the Option may be
exercised to the extent permitted under Code Section 424(h). Except as specifically restricted
by
the provisions of this Section 7(e) or by the Committee, any Option may be exercised in
whole or
in part at any time and from time to time during the period commencing with the date of grant
and
ending upon the expiration or termination of the Option. |
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(f) |
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SEPARATION FROM SERVICE. |
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(i) |
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In General. Except as otherwise provided herein, in the event an Optionee
Separates from Service, all Options outstanding in the hands of the Optionee shall
terminate immediately as to any unexercised portion thereof; provided however, that the
Committee, in its discretion, subject to the provisions of
Section 7(d), may permit an Optionee who has Separated from Service to exercise any unexercised Options
at any time within three months after the effective date of the Optionees Separation from
Service with respect to the Common Shares for which such Options could have been exercised
(i) on the effective date of the Separation from Service, or (ii) during the three month
period following that effective date. If an Optionee Separates from Service due to
Retirement or permanent and total disability (as defined in Code Section 22(e)(3)), the
Optionee shall have the right, subject to the provisions of
Section 7(d) to
exercise the Option with respect to the Common Shares for which it could have been
exercised on the effective date of the Separation from Service at any time within three
months after a Separation from Service due to Retirement or at any time within twelve
months after a Separation from Service due to permanent and total disability. |
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(ii) |
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Death. In the event of the death of an Optionee while the Option remains
exercisable under this Section 7(f) or other provisions of this Plan, the Optionees
personal representative shall have the right, subject to the provisions of Section 7(d),
to exercise the Option with respect to the Common Shares for which it could have been
exercised on the date of death, at any time within twelve months after the date of death. |
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(iii) |
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Determinations. For purposes of this Plan, whether a termination of
employment or service due to permanent and total disability, and whether an authorized
leave of absence or absence on military or government service, shall be deemed to
constitute Separation from Service shall be determined by the Committee, which
determination shall be final, conclusive and binding. |
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(g) |
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RECAPITALIZATION. The aggregate number of Common Shares as to which Options may be
granted under this Plan, the number of Common Shares covered by each outstanding Option, and
the price per Common Share with respect to each outstanding Option, all shall be
proportionately
adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued Common Shares resulting from a
subdivision or consolidation of shares or any other capital adjustment, the payment of a share
dividend or other increase or decrease in the Common Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company. In the event that there shall be a capital reorganization or
reclassification
of the shares of the Company resulting in a substitution of other shares for the Common Shares,
each outstanding Option shall be deemed to represent the right to acquire the number of
substitute shares that would have been issued in exchange for the Common Shares then remaining under the
Option if those Common Shares had been then issued and outstanding. |
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(h) |
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CHANGE OF CONTROL, DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION. |
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(i) |
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Change of Control. For purposes of this Plan, change of control event
shall be deemed to have occurred if: |
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(A) |
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The Committee determines in its sole discretion that, by reason of an agreement of
merger, consolidation or other reorganization to which the Company has become a party,
the Company will not be in control of the surviving or resulting corporation; |
33
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(B) |
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The Company shall become a party to an agreement providing for the sale
by the
Company of all or substantially all of the Companys assets to any Person; |
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(C) |
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The Committee determines in its sole discretion that any Person has become
or is anticipated to become the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the
Company
representing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of the Companys then
outstanding securities, the effect of which (as determined by the Committee in its
sole
discretion) is the acquisition of control of the Company; or |
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(D) |
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During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who, at the
beginning of such
period, constituted the Board of Directors cease, for any reason, to constitute at
least a
majority thereof, unless the election or nomination of election for each new Director
was
approved by the vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors in office at the
beginning of
the period. |
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(ii) |
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Effect of a Change of Control Event. Upon the occurrence of a change of
control event, the Company shall provide written notice thereof (the Change of Control
Notice) to the Optionees. The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to
terminate all outstanding Options as of the date described in the Change in Control Notice
by including a statement to such effect in the Change of Control Notice. Upon delivery of
the Change of Control Notice and regardless of whether the Company elects to terminate the
outstanding Options, the Optionees shall have the right to immediately exercise all
outstanding Options in full notwithstanding the terms and conditions set forth in this
Plan or in any Notice of Option. |
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(iii) |
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Dissolution and Liquidation. In the event the Company adopts all necessary
resolutions approving a plan to dissolve or liquidate the Company, the Company shall
provide written notice thereof (the Dissolution Notice) to the Optionees. Upon delivery
of the Dissolution Notice, and subject to Section 7(d), the Optionees shall have the right
to immediately exercise all outstanding Options notwithstanding the terms and conditions
set forth in this Plan or in any Notice of Option. All unexercised Options outstanding
immediately following the time specified for exercise in the Dissolution Notice shall
terminate. |
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(i) |
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ASSIGNABILITY. No Option shall be assignable or transferable, except to the extent
provided in Section 7(f) in the event of the death of an Optionee. During the lifetime
of an Optionee, the Option shall be exercisable only by the individual to whom the Option was
granted (or, in the event of the legal incapacity or incompetency of the Optionee, the
Optionees legal guardian or legal representative on behalf of the Optionee). |
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(j) |
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ISSUANCE OF SHARES AND COMPLIANCE WITH SECURITIES LAWS. |
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(i) |
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Registration of Shares. Options shall not be exercisable unless the
issuance of the Common Shares subject to the Options is the subject of an effective
registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or unless, in the
opinion of counsel to the Company, the issuance would be exempt from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. |
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(ii) |
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Compliance with Rule 16b-3. This Plan is intended to qualify for the
exemption from the short-swing profits liability imposed by Section 16(b) under the 1934
Act provided by Rule 16b-3. To the extent any provision of this Plan or action by the
Committee does not comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3, that provision or action
shall be deemed inoperative to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the
Committee. |
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(k) |
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RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. An Optionee shall have no rights as a shareholder with
respect to Common Shares subject to an Option until the date of issuance of a certificate
or certificates to the Optionee and only after the Common Shares are fully paid. No
adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to
the date a certificate is issued. |
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(l) |
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OTHER PROVISIONS. A Notice of Option issued pursuant to this Plan may
contain such other provisions as the Committee shall deem advisable, provided that those
provisions are not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan and Code Section 422. |
8. |
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TERM OF PLAN. This Plan is effective as of August 3, 1998. Unless terminated earlier by the
Board
of Directors pursuant to Section 9, this Plan shall terminate on the Expiration Date. No Option
may be
granted under this Plan after the Expiration Date. |
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9. |
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AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN. The Board of Directors may from time to time, alter, amend,
suspend or terminate this Plan with respect to any Common Shares as to which Options have not
been
granted; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may not, without further approval by the
holders
of a majority of the Common Shares represented at a duly convened shareholders meeting: |
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(a) |
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increase the maximum number of Common Shares as to which Options may be granted
under
this Plan; |
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(b) |
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change the class of shares for which Options may be granted under this Plan; |
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(c) |
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change the designation of the Employees or class of Employees eligible to receive
Options under
this Plan; or |
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(d) |
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change the provisions of Section 7(c) concerning the Option price. |
10. |
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APPLICATION OF FUNDS. The proceeds received by the Company from the sale of Common
Shares pursuant to Options granted under this Plan will be used for general corporate
purposes. |
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11. |
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NO OBLIGATION TO EXERCISE OPTION. The granting of an Option under this Plan shall
impose no obligation upon the Optionee to exercise any such Option. |
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12. |
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NO OBLIGATION TO CONTINUE EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE. Neither the adoption of this
Plan nor the granting of an Option under this Plan shall impose any obligation on the Company to
provide any specified amount of compensation to, or to continue the employment of or independent
contractor relationship with, any Person. |
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13. |
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APPLICABILITY OF AMENDMENTS. Without the express written consent of the Company and
the Optionee, no amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan shall alter, impair or
otherwise
affect any rights or obligations of the Company or an Optionee with respect to any Option
previously
granted to the Optionee. |
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14. |
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WITHHOLDINGS. The Committee shall have the right to require an Optionee to remit to the
Company, in a form and manner satisfactory to the Committee, amounts sufficient to satisfy
any
federal, state or local income, employment or other tax withholding requirements applicable
to the
grant or exercise of Options hereunder. |
35
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
PLEASE VOTE YOUR PROXY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
56 E. BELL DRIVE
P.O. BOX 587
WARSAW, IN 46582
AUTO DATA PROCESSING
INVESTOR COMM SERVICES
ATTENTION:
TEST PRINT
51 MERCEDES WAY
EDGEWOOD, NY
11717
(BARCODE)
VOTE BY
INTERNET www.proxyvote.com
Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up
until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when
you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an
electronic voting instruction form.
VOTE BY MAIL
Mark, sign, and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or
return it to Biomet, Inc., c/o ADP, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.
123,456,789,012.00000
è 000000000000
A/C 1234567890123456789
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TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: x
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BIOMT1 |
KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS |
DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY
THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.
BIOMET, INC.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL
BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED. IF NO
DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED
FOR MATTERS 1, 2 & 3 BELOW.
Vote On The Election of Directors:
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1. Nominees: |
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01) C. Scott Harrison, M.D.
02) Sandra A. Lamb
03) Kenneth V. Miller
04) Niles L. Noblitt
05) Marilyn Tucker Quayle |
02 0000000000
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For All
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Withhold
All
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For All
Except |
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215063185276
To withhold authority to vote, mark For All Except
and write the nominees number on the line below.
Vote on the Following Proposals:
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For |
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Against |
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Abstain |
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2. |
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Approve an amendment to the Biomet, Inc. 1998 Qualified and Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan to increase by 5,000,000 Common Shares the number of Common
Shares available for grant
under the Plan.
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o
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3. |
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Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young, LLP as independent registered public
accounting firm for the Company for the fiscal year ending May 31, 2006.
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o
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Please sign exactly as your name appears above. When shares are held by joint tenants, both
should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give
full title as such. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by President or other
authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.
For address changes and/or comments, please check this box and write them on the back where indicated. o
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Yes |
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No |
Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting.
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Yes |
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No |
Please indicate whether or not your wish to view meeting materials
electronically via the Internet rather than receiving a hard copy.
Please note that you will continue to receive a proxy card for voting purposes only.
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o
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Signature (PLEASE SIGN
WITHIN BOX)
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Date |
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Signature (Joint Owner)
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Date |
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P19383
123,456,789,012
090613100
26
PROXY
BIOMET, INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS SEPTEMBER 23, 2005, AT 1:30 P.M. (ET)
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF
OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The
undersigned hereby appoints Dane A. Miller, Ph.D., and Niles L. Noblitt, and each of them, as
proxies, each with the full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to
vote, as designated on the reverse side, all the Common Shares of the Company that the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Friday,
September 23, 2005, or any adjournment or postponement thereof. With respect to any other
matter that properly comes before the meeting, the proxy holders will vote in their own discretion.
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Address
Changes/Comments: |
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(If you
noted address changes or comments above, please check the corresponding box on the reverse side.)
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.