1 SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. ) Filed by the Registrant [X] Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ] Check the appropriate box: [X] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) [ ] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to 240.14a-11(c) or 240.14a-12 National Instruments Corporation - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (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): [X] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: --------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: --------------------------------------------------------------------- (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): --------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: --------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Total fee paid: --------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. [ ] 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 previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. (1) Amount Previously Paid: --------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: --------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Filing Party: --------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Date Filed: --------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 12, 1998 TO THE STOCKHOLDERS: NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of National Instruments Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be held on May 12, 1998, at 9:00 a.m. local time, at the Holiday Inn Northwest Plaza, 8901 Business Park Drive, Austin, Texas, for the following purposes as more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice: 1. To elect two directors to the Board of Directors for a term of three years; 2. To approve the amendment and restatement of Company's Certificate of Incorporation for the purpose of increasing the authorized number of shares of Common Stock by 120,000,000 shares; 3. To ratify the appointment of Price Waterhouse LLP as the Company's independent public accountants for the fiscal year ending December 31, 1998; and 4. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 1998, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting. All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. However, to assure your representation at the meeting, you are urged to mark, sign, date and return the enclosed Proxy card as promptly as possible in the postage-prepaid envelope enclosed for that purpose. Stockholders attending the meeting may vote in person even if they have returned a Proxy. Sincerely, DAVID G. HUGLEY Secretary Austin, Texas April 3, 1998 3 PRELIMINARY PROXY STATEMENT NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION PROXY STATEMENT INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING GENERAL The enclosed Proxy is solicited on behalf of National Instruments Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), for use at its 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held on May 12, 1998, at 9:00 a.m., local time, or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Northwest Plaza, 8901 Business Park Drive, Austin, Texas. The Company's principal executive offices are located at 6504 Bridge Point Parkway, Austin, Texas 78730. The Company's telephone number is (512) 338-9119. These proxy solicitation materials were mailed on or about April 3, 1998 to all stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting. RECORD DATE; OUTSTANDING SHARES Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 1998 (the "Record Date"), are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the meeting. On the Record Date, 32,751,678 shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value, were issued and outstanding. All share amounts in this Proxy Statement have been restated to give effect to the 3-for-2 stock split which occurred as of November 12, 1997. For information regarding holders of more than five percent of the outstanding Common Stock, see "Election of Directors -- Security Ownership." REVOCABILITY OF PROXIES Proxies given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked at any time before they have been used. Revocation will occur by delivering a written notice of revocation to the Company or by duly executing a proxy bearing a later date. Revocation will also occur if the individual attends the meeting and votes in person. VOTING AND SOLICITATION Every stockholder of record on the Record Date is entitled, for each share held, to one vote on each proposal or item that comes before the meeting. In the election of directors, each stockholder will be entitled to vote for two nominees and the two nominees with the greatest number of votes will be elected. The cost of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. The Company may reimburse expenses incurred by brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares in forwarding solicitation material to beneficial owners. Proxies may be solicited by certain of the Company's directors, officers and regular employees, without additional compensation, personally, by telephone or by telefax. DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS Stockholder proposals which are intended to be presented at the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company no later than December 4, 1998 in order to be included in the proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting. 4 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS GENERAL The Company's Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with the term of office of one class expiring each year. The Company currently has seven directors with one director in one class and three directors in two classes. The term of office of director Gerald T. Olson expires at the 1998 Annual Meeting. Mr. Olson is not standing for reelection at the 1998 Annual Meeting. Dr. James J. Truchard and William C. Nowlin, Jr., whose terms of office expire at the 2000 and 1999 Annual Meetings, respectively, have tendered their resignations from the Board of Directors to take effect immediately prior to the 1998 Annual Meeting. Dr. Truchard and Mr. Nowlin will stand for re-election to the Board of Directors at the 1998 Annual Meeting. The terms of office of directors L. Wayne Ashby and Dr. Donald M. Carlton expire at the 1999 Annual Meeting, and the terms of office of directors Jeffrey L. Kodosky and Dr. Ben G. Streetman expire at the 2000 Annual Meeting. At the 1998 Annual Meeting, stockholders will elect two directors for a term of three years. After the election at the 1998 Annual Meeting, there will be six directors, with two directors in each of the three classes. VOTE REQUIRED The two nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors shall be elected to the Board of Directors. Votes withheld from any director are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum, but have no legal effect under Delaware law. While there is no definitive statutory or case law authority in Delaware as to the proper treatment of abstentions and broker non-votes in the election of directors, the Company believes that both abstentions and broker non-votes should be counted for purposes of whether a quorum is present at the Annual Meeting. In the absence of precedent to the contrary, the Company intends to treat abstentions and broker non-votes with respect to the election of directors in this manner. Cumulative voting is not permitted by the Company's Certificate of Incorporation. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote the proxies received by them for the Company's two nominees named below. If any nominee of the Company is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Meeting, the proxies will be voted for any nominee who is designated by the present Board of Directors to fill the vacancy. It is not expected that any nominee will be unable or will decline to serve as a director. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED BELOW. NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AT THE ANNUAL MEETING The following sets forth information concerning the nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting, including information as to each nominee's age as of the Record Date, position with the Company and business experience. - --------------- (1) Member of Nominating and Governance Committee (2) Member of Compensation Committee (3) Member of Audit Committee James J. Truchard, Ph.D., co-founded the Company in 1976 and has served as its President and Chairman of the Board of Directors since inception. From 1963 to 1976 Dr. Truchard was the Managing Director of the Acoustical Measurements Division at the Applied Research Laboratories ("ARL"), The University of Texas, Austin ("UT Austin"). Dr. Truchard received his Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, his MS in Physics and his BS in Physics, all from UT Austin. 2
DIRECTOR NAME OF NOMINEE AGE POSITION/PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION SINCE --------------- --- ----------------------------- -------- Dr. James J. Truchard 54 Chairman of the Board of 1976 Directors and President of the Company William C. Nowlin, Jr.(1)(2)(3) 49 Director 1976 5 William C. Nowlin, Jr. co-founded the Company in 1976 and has served as a director since inception. Mr. Nowlin served as the Company's Chief Quality Officer and Secretary until January 1996. Prior to that time, his positions with the Company included Treasurer, Vice President of Engineering, Sales Manager and Vice President of Special Projects. Mr. Nowlin received his MS in Electrical Engineering and his BS in Electrical Engineering, both from UT Austin. INCUMBENT DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS OF OFFICE CONTINUE AFTER THE ANNUAL MEETING The following sets forth information concerning the directors whose terms of office continue after the Annual Meeting, including information as to each director's age as of the Record Date, position with the Company and business experience. - --------------- (1) Member of Nominating and Governance Committee (2) Member of Compensation Committee (3) Member of Audit Committee Jeffrey L. Kodosky co-founded the Company in 1976 and has been a director since that time. He was appointed Vice President of the Company in 1978 and has served as Vice President, Research and Development since 1980. Prior to 1976, he was employed at ARL, UT Austin. Mr. Kodosky received his BS in Physics from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Ben G. Streetman, Ph.D., has been a member of the Company's Board of Directors since 1997 and is the Dean of the College of Engineering at UT Austin, as well as Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Dula D. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering, and Henry E. Singleton Research Fellow at IC2 Institute. From 1984 to 1996, Dr. Streetman served as Director of the Microelectronics Research Center at UT Austin. Dr. Streetman received his BS, MS, and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, all from UT Austin. Dr. Streetman is currently a director of Global Marine Corporation, a publicly traded company. L. Wayne Ashby has been a member of the Company's Board of Directors since 1977. From January 1983 until August 1995, Mr. Ashby served as Program Manager and as Division Head of the U.S. Navy's Electronic Warfare Programs at ARL, UT Austin. From 1964 to 1980, Mr. Ashby worked at ARL in various positions including Research Engineer, Project Leader and Division Head. Mr. Ashby was Vice President, Special Projects at the Company from 1980 to 1983. Mr. Ashby received his BS in Electrical Engineering and his MS in Electrical Engineering, both from UT Austin. Donald M. Carlton, Ph.D., has been a member of the Company's Board of Directors since 1994. Since February 1996, Dr. Carlton has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Radian International LLC, and from 1969 until January 1996, Dr Carlton served as President and Chairman of the Board of Radian Corporation, both of which are environmental engineering firms. Dr. Carlton received his BS in Chemistry from the University of St. Thomas and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from UT Austin. Dr. Carlton is currently a director of the following publicly traded companies: Central & Southwest Corporation and Concert Investment Series Fund. There is no family relationship between any director of the Company. 3
DIRECTOR NAME OF DIRECTOR AGE POSITION/PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION SINCE ---------------- --- ----------------------------- -------- Jeffrey L. Kodosky(1) 48 Director; Vice President, 1976 Research and Development of the Company Dr. Ben G. Streetman(1)(2)(3) 58 Dean, College of Engineering at 1997 The University of Texas at Austin L. Wayne Ashby 58 Director 1977 Dr. Donald M. Carlton(1)(3) 60 President and Chief Executive 1994 Officer of Radian International LLC 6 SECURITY OWNERSHIP The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock as of the Record Date (i) by each of the executive officers named in the table under "Executive Compensation -- Summary Compensation Table," (ii) by each director and nominee, (iii) by all current directors and executive officers as a group and (iv) by all persons known to the Company, based on statements filed by such persons pursuant to Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock: - --------------- * Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. (1) Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable. (2) Includes 810,000 shares held by a trust for which Dr. Truchard is the trustee and 90,000 shares held by a corporation of which Dr. Truchard is president. (3) Includes an aggregate of 732,000 shares held in two trusts for the benefit of Mr. Kodosky's daughters for which Mr. Kodosky is the trustee; includes an aggregate of 226,500 shares held by a corporation of which Mr. Kodosky is president and his wife, Gail T. Kodosky is secretary; includes 75,000 shares held by a trust for the benefit of Mr. Kodosky and his wife; and includes 1,469,455 shares owned by his wife. Mr. Kodosky disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by his wife. 4
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL NAME OF PERSON OR ENTITY SHARES (1) VOTING POWER ------------------------ --------------- ------------------- Dr. James J. Truchard (2)................. 8,936,074 27.3% 6504 Bridge Point Parkway Austin, Texas 78730 Jeffrey L. Kodosky (3).................... 3,969,410 12.1% 504 Bridge Point Parkway Austin, Texas 78730 Gail T. Kodosky (4)....................... 3,237,410 9.9% 6504 Bridge Point Parkway Austin, Texas 78730 William C. Nowlin, Jr (5)................. 1,787,904 5.5% 6504 Bridge Point Parkway Austin, Texas 78730 L. Wayne Ashby (6)........................ 2,232,540 6.8% 5512 Cuesta Verde Drive Austin, Texas 78746 Warburg Pincus Asset Management, Inc.(7)................................. 1,740,199 5.3% 466 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017 Peter Zogas, Jr.(8)....................... 42,156 * Carsten Thomsen (9)....................... 23,917 * Timothy R. Dehne (10)..................... 35,336 * Gerald T. Olson (11)...................... 364,583 1.1% Dr. Donald M. Carlton (12)................ 10,005 * Dr. Ben G. Streetman (13)................. 5,750 * All executive officers and directors as a group (14 persons) (14)....................... 17,430,008 53.2% 7 (4) Includes 226,500 shares held by a corporation of which Ms. Kodosky is secretary and her husband, Jeffrey L. Kodosky is president; includes 75,000 shares held by a trust for the benefit of Ms. Kodosky and her husband; and includes 1,466,455 shares owned by her husband. Ms. Kodosky disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares owned by her husband. (5) Includes 39,000 shares held in trusts for the benefit of Mr. Nowlin's daughters, all of which shares Mr. Nowlin disclaims beneficial ownership of; includes 24,308 shares held in a trust for the benefit of Mr. Nowlin's mother for which Mr. Nowlin is the trustee, all of which shares Mr. Nowlin disclaims beneficial ownership of; includes 24,307 shares held by a trust for the benefit of Mr. Nowlin and his sister; and includes 258 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19, 1998. (6) Includes 651 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19, 1998. (7) The information as to beneficial ownership is based on a Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 16, 1998, reflecting its beneficial ownership of Common Stock as of January 13, 1998. The Schedule 13G states that Warburg Pincus Asset Management, Inc. ("Warburg") has sole dispositive power with respect to 1,740,199 shares of Common Stock, sole voting power with respect to 1,271,499 shares of Common Stock and shared voting power with respect to 412,100 shares of Common Stock. (8) Includes 16,438 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19, 1998. (9) Includes 17,304 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19, 1998. (10) Includes 16,555 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19, 1998. (11) Includes 37,915 shares held by a trust for which Mr. Olson is the trustee; includes 651 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19, 1998. (12) Includes 4,005 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19, 1998. (13) Includes 5,000 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19, 1998. (14) Includes 15,011 shares subject to options exercisable on or before May 19, 1998. BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES The Board of Directors of the Company held a total of ten meetings during 1997. During 1997, the Board of Directors had an Audit Committee and a Compensation Committee. In December 1997, the Board established a Nominating and Governance Committee. The Audit Committee, which currently consists of directors Donald M. Carlton, William C. Nowlin, Jr., and Ben G. Streetman, met four times during 1997. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the engagement of the company's independent accountants, reviews with such accountants the plan, scope and results of their examination of the consolidated financial statements and determines the independence of such accountants. The Compensation Committee, which currently consists of directors Gerald T. Olson, William C. Nowlin Jr., and Ben G. Streetman met seven times during 1997. The Compensation Committee sets the level of compensation of executive officers and advises management with respect to compensation levels for key employees. The Compensation Committee also administers the Company's 1994 Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The Nominating and Governance Committee, which currently consists of directors Donald M. Carlton, Jeffrey L. Kodosky, Gerald T. Olson, Ben G. Streetman and William C. Nowlin, Jr., did not meet during 1997. The Nominating and Governance Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the selection 5 8 criteria for board members, compensation of outside directors, appointment of board committee members and committee chairmen and develops board governance principles. No director attended fewer than 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors or the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which he served. BOARD COMPENSATION Non-employee directors are paid a $10,000 annual retainer ($12,000 for committee chairs), $1,000 for each Board meeting attended in person, $750 ($1,000 for committee chairs) for each committee meeting attended in person, $150 for each Board or committee meeting attended telephonically, and reimbursement of out-of-town travel expenses. Prior to March 1997, non-employee directors were also entitled to receive options (exercisable at fair market value of the date of grant) to purchase 1350 shares of Common Stock upon joining the Board, and for 675 shares on June 1st of each year. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, non-employee directors no longer receive automatic option grants although they may still exercise options previously granted to them and are currently eligible to receive discretionary option grants under the terms of the Company's Amended and Restated 1994 Incentive Plan. Employee directors of the Company do not receive any additional compensation for services provided as a director. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The following sets forth information concerning the persons currently serving as executive officers of the Company, including information as to each executive officer's age as of the Record Date, position with the Company and business experience. See "Election of Directors" for additional information with respect to Dr. Truchard and Mr. Kodosky. Carsten Thomsen joined the Company in November 1993 as Director of Engineering and became Vice President, Engineering in May 1994. Mr. Thomsen was formerly employed by Bruel & Kjaer (Denmark), an instrumentation manufacturer, from 1983 to 1993, serving as Engineering Manager from 1983 to 1991, Manager of the Test Systems Division from 1991 to 1992 and as Manager of the Condition Monitoring Systems Division from 1992 to 1993. Mr. Thomsen received his BA in Math and Physics from Andrews University. Timothy R. Dehne joined the Company in 1987 and is currently Vice President, Marketing. He previously served as the Company's Vice President, Strategic Marketing, Strategic Marketing Manager, GPIB Marketing Manager, GPIB Product Manager and as an Applications Engineer. Mr. Dehne received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Rice University. Peter Zogas, Jr., joined the Company in 1985 and is currently Vice President, Sales. He served as the Company's National Sales Manger from July 1992 until his appointment as Vice President, Sales in July 1996. Earlier positions with the Company include Business Development Manager, Regional Sales Manager, and Sales Engineer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Zogas worked as an engineer at Texas 6
NAME OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AGE POSITION - ------------------------- --- -------- Dr. James J. Truchard 54 Chairman of the Board of Directors and President Jeffrey L. Kodosky 48 Vice President, Research and Development and Director Carsten Thomsen 48 Vice President, Engineering Timothy R. Dehne 32 Vice President, Marketing Peter Zogas, Jr. 37 Vice President, Sales Mark A. Finger 40 Vice President, Human Resources Ruben Reynoso-Mangin 50 Vice President, Manufacturing Alexander M. Davern 31 Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer David G. Hugley 34 Secretary, General Counsel 9 Instruments and, prior to that, at AT&T. Mr. Zogas received his BS in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University. He is co-holder of one patent on multichip packaging issued in 1986. Mark A. Finger joined the Company in August 1995 as Director of Human Resources and became Vice President, Human Resources in December 1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Finger was employed by Rosemount Inc. and Fisher Rosemount Systems Inc., from 1981 to 1995. Positions held at Rosemount include Human Resources Manager, Staffing Manager, Senior Human Resources Representative, Compensation and Benefits Specialist and Staffing Specialist. Mr. Finger received his BS in Marketing from St. Cloud University. Ruben Reynoso-Mangin joined the Company in February 1997 as Vice President of Manufacturing. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Reynoso-Mangin was employed by 3M Corporation from 1972 to 1997. Positions held at 3M Corporation include Plant Manager, Plant Quality Manager, Technology Manager, and Product Manager. Mr. Reynoso-Mangin received his BS in BSIE from the California State Polytechnic University. Alexander M. Davern joined the Company as International Controller in February 1994 and served as Corporate Controller until July 1997, when he became Acting Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Davern was appointed Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer in December 1997. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Davern worked both in Europe and in the United States for the international accounting firm of Price Waterhouse, LLP. Mr. Davern received his BBA and a master's degree in professional accounting from University College in Dublin, Ireland. David G. Hugley joined the Company in 1991 as General Counsel and currently also serves as Secretary of the Company. Mr. Hugley received his BBA and JD from UT Austin and is a licensed attorney in Texas. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Summary Compensation Table. The following table shows the compensation paid by the Company during the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995 to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company whose total salary and bonus exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"): - --------------- (1) Bonus amounts for 1997, 1996 and 1995 include bonus amounts paid in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, for services rendered in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. (2) Represents Company contributions to the Company's 401(k) plan on behalf of the Named Executive Officers and the full dollar value of premiums paid by the Company for term life insurance on behalf of 7
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION AWARDS SECURITIES ANNUAL COMPENSATION UNDERLYING -------------------- OPTIONS ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS(1) (# OF SHARES) COMPENSATION(2) --------------------------- ---- --------- -------- -------------- --------------- Dr. James J. Truchard 1997 $195,797 $39,159 -- $5,050 Chairman of the Board and President 1996 195,797 53,299(3) -- 5,000 1995 195,797 29,291 -- 4,870 Jeffrey L. Kodosky 1997 $140,411 $28,082 -- $ 300 Vice President, Research and 1996 147,008 38,516 -- 2,150 Development 1995 143,051 21,400 -- 1,862 Carsten Thomsen 1997 $161,004 $32,950(4) 17,250 $5,050 Vice President, Engineering 1996 149,260 39,106 17,100 4,728 1995 140,676 21,405 16,950 3,596 Peter Zogas, Jr. 1997 $143,121 $28,624 16,950 $5,050 Vice President, Sales 1996 128,352 33,628 16,800 4,764 1995 149,290 14,559(5) 15,900 4,657 Timothy R. Dehne 1997 $127,250 $26,450(6) 16,800 $4,118 Vice President, Marketing 1996 111,524 29,219 16,500 3,570 1995 94,703 14,168 16,350 3,391 10 the Named Executive Officers for 1997, 1996 and 1995. Mr. Kodosky did not participate in the Company's 401(k) plan in 1997. (3) Includes a non-cash bonus with a fair market value of $2,000 on the date such bonus was paid. (4) Includes an award of $750 paid to Mr. Thomsen upon issuance of a patent. (5) Includes an award of $1,417 paid to Mr. Zogas upon his completion of ten years of service with the Company. (6) Includes an award of $1,000 paid to Mr. Dehne upon his completion of ten years of service with the Company. Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year. The following table sets forth each grant of stock options made during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 to each Named Executive Officer. - --------------- (1) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations at the 5% and 10% rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") and therefore are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, of the Company's stock price. The Company did not use an alternative formula for a grant date valuation, as the Company does not believe that any formula will determine with reasonable accuracy a present value based on future unknown or volatile factors. (2) These options vest as to 1/60th of the shares per month after the date of grant. (3) These options vest as to 1/120th of the shares per month after the date of grant, subject to acceleration based upon Company financial performance. Aggregate Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Values. The following table sets forth, for each of the Named Executive Officers, the year-end value of unexercised options. No stock options were exercised by any Named Executive Officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997.
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE INDIVIDUAL GRANTS VALUE AT ASSUMED ------------------------------------ ANNUAL RATES OF % OF TOTAL STOCK PRICE OPTIONS APPRECIATION GRANTED TO EXERCISE FOR OPTION TERM(1) OPTIONS EMPLOYEES OR BASE EXPIRATION --------------------- NAME GRANTED IN FY97 PRICE DATE 5% ($) 10% ($) ---- ------- ----------- -------- ----------- --------- --------- Dr. James J. Truchard................. -- -- -- -- -- -- Jeffrey L. Kodosky.................... -- -- -- -- -- -- Carsten Thomsen....................... 2,250(2) 0.2% $21.67 3/19/07 $ 30,633 $ 77,707 15,000(3) 1.2% $21.67 3/19/07 $204,422 $518,046 Peter Zogas, Jr....................... 1,950(2) 0.2% $21.67 3/19/07 $ 26,575 $ 67,346 15,000(3) 1.2% $21.67 3/19/07 $204,422 $518,046 Timothy R. Dehne...................... 1,800(2) 0.1% $21.67 3/19/07 $ 24,531 $ 62,166 15,000(3) 1.2% $21.67 3/19/07 $204,422 $518,046 - --------------- (1) Based on a fair market value of $29.00, which was the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on December 31, 1997, as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION In 1997, the Compensation Committee consisted of Directors Gerald T. Olson, Dr. Peter T. Flawn, Mr. William C. Nowlin, Jr. and Dr. Ben G. Streetman. Dr. Flawn's term of office as a member of the Board 8
VALUE (1) OF UNEXERCISED NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED IN-THE MONEY OPTIONS AT YEAR-END: OPTIONS AT YEAR-END: ---------------------------------- ---------------------------------- NAME EXERCISABLE(#) UNEXERCISABLE(#) EXERCISABLE($) UNEXERCISABLE($) ---- -------------- ---------------- -------------- ---------------- Dr. James J. Truchard........... -- -- -- -- Jeffrey L. Kodosky.............. -- -- -- -- Carsten Thomsen................. 12,653 38,647 $211,769 $510,331 Peter Zogas, Jr................. 11,926 37,724 $198,638 $496,261 Timothy R. Dehne................ 12,046 37,604 $201,607 $496,192 11 expired on May 13, 1997 and, accordingly, Dr. Flawn's participation in the Compensation Committee ceased as of that date. Dr. Streetman was appointed to the Compensation Committee on June 18, 1997. Mr. Olson was an executive officer of the Company from 1980 to 1983. Dr. Truchard may participate in the deliberations of the Compensation Committee with respect to the compensation of the Company's executive officers. SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports of ownership on Form 3 and changes in ownership on Form 4 or Form 5 with the SEC. Such officers, directors and 10% stockholders are also required by SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, the Company believes that, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and 10% stockholders were satisfied except as described in the following paragraph. Mr. Nowlin did not timely file three Forms 4 reporting an aggregate of eight sales of the Company's common stock by trusts for the benefit of Mr. Nowlin's daughters, all of which transactions were reported on a Form 5; Mr. Ashby filed a late Form 4 reporting a sale of the Company's common stock. Dr. Streetman filed a late Form 3 reporting his holdings of the Company's common stock. 9 12 PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following line graph compares the cumulative total return to stockholders of the Company's Common Stock from March 13, 1995 (the date of the Company's initial public offering) to December 31, 1997 to the cumulative total return over such period of (i) Nasdaq Composite Index and (ii) H&Q Total Return Technology Index. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on March 13, 1995 in the Company's common stock at its initial public offering price of $14.50 per share and in each of the other two indices and the reinvestment of all dividends, if any. The information contained in the Performance Graph shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or to be "filed" with the SEC, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference into any such filing. The graph is presented in accordance with SEC requirements. Stockholders are cautioned against drawing any conclusions from the data contained therein, as past results are not necessarily indicative of future performance. 10
National Measurement Period Instruments Nasdaq Composite H&Q Total Return (Fiscal Year Covered) Corporation Index Technology Index 3/13/95 100 100 100 12/31/95 140 132 136 12/31/96 221 161 163 12/31/97 300 199 196 13 REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REGARDING EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Compensation Committee, comprised of directors Olson, Nowlin and Streetman is responsible for recommending to the Board of Directors the compensation programs and levels of pay for executive officers. The Committee also advises management on pay programs and levels for other employees. The Committee regularly retains an independent compensation consulting firm to provide analyses of competitive industry pay levels and practices, and to advise the Committee on appropriate pay levels for the Company. Compensation Philosophy and Objectives. The Company's basic philosophy is to align executive compensation with increases in stockholder value through growth in sales and operating profits. Primarily, this is accomplished through the use of stock options, which provide compensation in direct proportion to increases in stockholder value, and profit sharing. In addition, the Company believes it is important to emphasize teamwork and active participation by all employees. This is accomplished through providing options to essentially all full-time, exempt domestic employees and similarly situated international employees, and through cash incentives, through which both executives and employees receive cash bonuses based on company-wide financial goals. Finally, it is the Company's philosophy that no special perquisites should be provided to senior executives. Executive Compensation Programs. The Company's executive compensation programs consist of three principal elements: base salary, cash bonus and stock options. The Company emphasizes incentive compensation in the form of stock options and bonuses, rather than base salary. The Compensation Committee has adopted a guideline that executives should be paid competitive base salaries. The Board of Directors sets the annual base salary for executives after consideration of the recommendations of the Compensation Committee. Prior to making its recommendations, the Compensation Committee reviews historical compensation levels of the executives, evaluations of past performance, assessments of expected future contributions of the executives, competitive pay levels and programs provided by other comparable companies, and pay practices in general industry. In making its determinations, the Committee does not utilize any particular indices or formulae to arrive at each executive's recommended pay level. For many years, the Company has maintained a cash bonus plan under which executive officers participate. In recent years, this plan provided for a target incentive to be paid based on achieving pre-determined levels of revenue growth and profitability. For fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995 these goals were 40% revenue growth and 18% operating profit as a percent of revenue, the same goals as for all other employees. At the end of each year, actual results for the Company are compared to these targets and executive bonuses are based on actual Company performance in relation to these factors. If there is no growth or no profitability, no cash bonuses are payable to executive officers. Individual performance is not considered in determining the bonus of individual officers, except for the Vice President, Sales, who is eligible for a separate sales commission program. The growth and profitability performance measures were approved by the Board of Directors. Total compensation for executive officers also includes long-term incentives in the form of stock options, which are generally provided through initial stock option grants at the date of hire and periodic additional stock option grants. Stock options are instrumental in promoting the alignment of long-term interests between the Company's executive officers and stockholders due to the fact that executives realize gains only if the stock price increases over the fair market value at the date of grant and the executives exercise their options. In determining the amount of such grants, the Committee evaluates the job level of the executive, responsibilities of the executive, and competitive practices in the industry. All options are granted at 100% of fair market value at the date of grant. Options vest over a period of five years (in the case of options awarded to all employees) to ten years, subject to acceleration based on Company performance (in case of special option grants to executives). The long-term value realized by executives through option exercises can be directly linked to the enhancement of stockholder value. Chief Executive Officer Compensation. While the Board was highly pleased with Dr. Truchard's performance in 1997, at his request, the Chief Executive Officer's base salary was not changed during the fiscal year and he received no stock options. Based on the same formula applied to other executive officers, Dr. Truchard's bonus for 1997 was $39,399, based on the Company's revenue growth of 20% and its profit 11 14 percentage of 20.7%. Dr. Truchard is the Company's largest stockholder with an ownership of 27.3% of the Company's stock. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), imposes a limit on tax deductions for annual compensation in excess of one million dollars paid by a corporation to its chief executive officer and the other four most highly compensated executive officers of a corporation. None of the compensation paid by the Company in fiscal 1997 was subject to the limitation on deductibility. The Compensation Committee will continue to assess the impact of Section 162(m) of the Code on its compensation practices and determine what further action, if any, is appropriate. Respectfully Submitted, GERALD T. OLSON WILLIAM C. NOWLIN, JR. BEN G. STREETMAN 12 15 APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE AUTHORIZED SHARES GENERAL The Company's Certificate of Incorporation as currently in effect (the "Certificate"), provides that the Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock, consisting of 60,000,000 shares designated as Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, and 5,000,000 shares designated as Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share. The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized amendment and restatement of the Certificate, subject to stockholder approval, to increase the authorized number of shares of Common Stock by 120,000,000 shares, bringing the total authorized Common Stock up to 180,000,000 shares. Under the proposed amendment and restatement, the first paragraph of Article Fourth of the Certificate would be amended and restated to read as follows: "Fourth: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is one-hundred and eighty-five million (185,000,000) shares of capital stock, classified as (i) five million (5,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share ("Preferred Stock"), and (ii) one-hundred and eighty million (180,000,000) shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock")." The stockholders are being asked to approve such amendment. The proposed amendment would give the Board the authority to issue additional shares of Common Stock without requiring future stockholder approval of such issuances, except as may otherwise be required by applicable law. Of the 60,000,000 currently authorized shares of Common Stock, 32,751,678 shares of Common Stock were issued and outstanding as of March 20, 1998 (the Record Date for the 1998 Annual Meeting). In addition, as of such date, approximately 3,916,959 shares were reserved for issuance upon exercise of outstanding options; and approximately 5,284,174 shares were reserved for future grant under the Company's 1994 Incentive Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Accordingly, as of March 20, 1998, the Company had 18,047,189 shares of authorized but unissued and unreserved Common Stock available for issuance. PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE AMENDMENT The principal purpose of this proposed amendment and restatement of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation to increase the authorized shares of Common Stock is to make such shares available for use by the Board of Directors as it deems appropriate or necessary. For example, such shares may be needed in connection with future stock dividends or splits, raising additional capital through the sale of the Company's securities, providing options or other stock incentives to the Company's employees, consultants or others, acquisition of another company or its business or assets, or establishing a strategic relationship with a corporate partner. The Board of Directors has no present agreement, arrangement, plan or understanding with respect to the issuance of any such shares of Common Stock. If the amendment is approved by the stockholders, the Board of Directors does not intend to solicit further stockholder approval prior to the issuance of any additional shares of Common Stock, except as may be required by applicable law. Holders of the Company's securities as such have no statutory preemptive rights with respect to issuances of Common Stock. The increase in authorized Common Stock will not have any immediate effect on the rights of existing stockholders. To the extent that the additional authorized shares are issued in the future, they will decrease the existing stockholders' percentage equity ownership and, depending on the price at which they are issued, could be dilutive to the existing stockholders. POTENTIAL ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECT The increase in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock and the subsequent issuance of such shares could have the effect of delaying or preventing a change-in-control of the Company without further 13 16 action by the stockholders. Shares of authorized and unissued Common Stock could (within the limits imposed by applicable law) be issued in one or more transactions that would make a change-in-control of the Company more difficult, and therefore less likely. Any such issuance of additional stock could have the effect of diluting the earnings per share and book value per share of outstanding shares of Common Stock, and such additional shares could be used to dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of a person seeking to obtain control of the Company. The Company has previously adopted certain measures that may have the effect of helping to resist an unsolicited takeover attempt, including provisions in the Company's 1994 Incentive Plan permitting the acceleration of exercisability of outstanding options in the event of a sale of assets or merger and provisions of the Certificate authorizing the Board to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, the terms, provisions and rights of which may be fixed by the Board without stockholder action or approval. VOTE REQUIRED The affirmative votes of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding on the Record Date will be required to approve the amendment and restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation. The effect of an abstention is the same as that of a vote against the proposal. If the amendment is not approved, the Company's authorized capital stock will not change. RECOMMENDATION THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE STOCKHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES OF COMMON STOCK. STOCK PRICE The closing price of the Company's Common Stock on the Record Date, as reported on the NASDAQ Stock Market, was $34.875. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Management has selected Price Waterhouse LLP, independent accountants to audit the books, records and accounts of the Company for the current fiscal year ending December 31, 1998. Price Waterhouse LLP has audited the Company's financial statements since the fiscal year ended December 31, 1993. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Company's Common Stock represented and voting at the meeting will be required to approve and ratify the Board's selection of Price Waterhouse LLP. The Board of Directors recommends voting "FOR" approval and ratification of such selection. In the event of a negative vote on such ratification, the Board of Directors will reconsider its selection. A representative of Price Waterhouse LLP is expected to be available at the Annual Meeting to make a statement if such representative desires to do so and to respond to appropriate questions. OTHER MATTERS The Company knows of no other matters to be submitted to the meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed proxy card to vote the shares they represent as the Board of Directors may recommend. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DAVID G. HUGLEY Secretary Austin, Texas April 3, 1998 14 17 1389-PS-98 18 ANNEX A DETACH HERE THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS MAY 12, 1998 P The undersigned stockholder of NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation, hereby acknowledges receipt of the R Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, each dated April 3, 1998, and 1997 Annual Report to Stockholders and hereby O appoints Dr. James J. Truchard and William C. Nowlin, Jr., and each of them, proxies and attorneys-in- fact, with full power of substitution, X on behalf and in the name of the undersigned, to represent the undersigned at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of NATIONAL Y INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION to be held on May 12, 1998 at 9:00 a.m., local time, at the Holiday Inn Northwest Plaza, 8901 Business Park Drive, Austin, Texas 78730, and at any adjournments thereof, and to vote all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if then and there personally present, on the matters set forth below. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO CONTRARY DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, FOR THE AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OF AUTHORIZED COMMON STOCK, FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP AS INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS, AND AS SAID PROXIES DEEM ADVISABLE ON SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING. --------------------- CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON THE REVERSE SEE REVERSE SIDE --------------------- 19 DETACH HERE [X] Please mark votes as in this example. 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: Nominees: Dr. James J. Truchard, William C. Nowlin, Jr. FOR WITHHELD / / / / MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND / / __________________________________ NOTE BELOW / / (if you wish to withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, please write that nominee's name on the line above) 2. PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE AMENDMENT TO FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN THE COMPANY'S CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE AUTHORIZED NUMBER OF SHARES / / / / / / OF COMMON STOCK BY 120,000,000 SHARES TO 180,000,000 SHARES: 3. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN OF PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP AS THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS OF THE / / / / / / COMPANY FOR FISCAL 1998: 4. TO TRANSACT SUCH OTHER BUSINESS, IN THEIR DISCRETION, AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENTS THEREOF. Either of such attorneys or substitutes shall have and may exercise all of the powers of said attorneys-in-fact hereunder. (This Proxy should be marked, dated and signed by the shareholder(s) exactly as his, her or its name appears hereon, and returned promptly in the enclosed envelope. Persons signing in a fiduciary capacity should so indicate. If shares are held by joint tenants or as community property, both should sign). Signature:___________________________ Date:______________ Signature:___________________________ Date:______________ 20 ANNEX B CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION National Instruments Corporation (hereinafter called the "Corporation"), a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify: 1. That the Board of Directors of the Corporation has determined that it is advisable and in the best interests of the Corporation that the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation be hereby amended by deleting the current text of the first paragraph of Article FOURTH in its entirety and by substituting in lieu thereof the following: "FOURTH: The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have the authority to issue is one-hundred and eighty-five million (185,000,000) shares of capital stock, classified as (i) five million shares (5,000,000) shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share ("Preferred Stock"), and (ii) one-hundred and eighty million (180,000,000) shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock")." 2. That upon notice in accordance with Section 222 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, a majority of all the shares of capital stock entitled to vote as a class voted in favor of such amendment. 3. The amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation herein certified has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of the ____ day of May, 1998. NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION __________________________________________ Name: Title: