UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K

x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008
or
o TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to ________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 000-30205

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE
36-4324765
(State of Incorporation)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

870 NORTH COMMONS DRIVE
60504
AURORA, ILLINOIS
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (630) 375-6631

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
 
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.001 par value
 
The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act .        Yes [ X ]    No [  ]

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act .     Yes [  ]    No [ X ]    

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes [ X ]     No [  ]     

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
[ X ]    
Accelerated filer
[  ]
Non-accelerated filer
[  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).     Yes [  ]     No [ X ]     

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s Common Stock held beneficially or of record by stockholders who are not affiliates of the registrant, based upon the closing price of the Common Stock on March 31, 2008, as reported by the NASDAQ Global Select Market, was approximately $745,993,700.  For the purposes hereof, "affiliates" include all executive officers and directors of the registrant.

As of October 31, 2008, the Company had 23,223,147 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on March 3, 2009, are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K to the extent stated herein.

This Form 10-K includes statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of federal securities regulations.  For more detail regarding “forward-looking statements” see Item 7 of Part II of this Form 10-K.

 
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CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

PART I.
   
Page
       
 
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Item 1A.
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Item 1B.
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Item 2.
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Item 3.
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Item 4.
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PART II.
     
       
 
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Item 7A.
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Item 8.
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Item 9.
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Item 9A.
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PART III.
     
       
 
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Item 12.
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Item 13.
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Item 14.
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PART IV.
     
       
 
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PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

OUR COMPANY

Cabot Microelectronics Corporation ("Cabot Microelectronics'', "the Company'', "us'', "we'', or "our''), which was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1999, is the leading supplier of high-performance polishing slurries used in the manufacture of advanced integrated circuit (IC) devices within the semiconductor industry, in a process called chemical mechanical planarization (CMP).  CMP is a polishing process used by IC device manufacturers to planarize or flatten many of the multiple layers of material that are deposited upon silicon wafers in the production of advanced ICs.  CMP enables IC device manufacturers to produce smaller, faster and more complex IC devices with fewer defects.

We currently operate predominantly in one industry segment – the development, manufacture and sale of CMP consumables.  We develop, produce and sell CMP slurries for polishing many of the conducting and insulating materials used in IC devices, and also for polishing the disk substrates and magnetic heads used in hard disk drives.  We also develop, manufacture and sell CMP polishing pads, which are used in conjunction with slurries in the CMP process.

In addition to strengthening and growing our core CMP business, through our Engineered Surface Finishes (ESF) business we seek to leverage our expertise in CMP formulation, materials and polishing techniques for the semiconductor industry to address other demanding market applications requiring nanoscale control of surface shape and finish, and gain access to a variety of markets that we do not currently serve.  We are pursuing a number of surface modification applications in which we believe our technical ability to shape, enable and enhance the performance of surfaces at an atomic level can add value to our customers.


CMP PROCESS WITHIN IC DEVICE MANUFACTURING

The multi-step manufacturing process for IC devices is referred to as a “wafer start”, and typically begins with a circular wafer of pure silicon.  A large number of identical IC devices, or dies, are manufactured on each wafer at the same time.  The first steps in the manufacturing process build transistors and other electronic components on the silicon wafer.  These are isolated from each other using a layer of insulating material, most often silicon dioxide, to prevent electrical signals from bridging from one transistor to another.  These components are then wired together using conducting materials such as aluminum or copper in a particular sequence to produce a functional IC device with specific characteristics.  When the conducting wiring on one layer of the IC device is completed, another layer of insulating material is added.  The process of alternating insulating and conducting layers is repeated until the desired wiring within the IC device is achieved.  At the end of the process, the wafer is cut into the individual dies, which are then packaged to form individual chips.

Demand for CMP products for IC devices is primarily based on the number of wafer starts by semiconductor manufacturers and the complexity of the IC devices.  To enhance the performance of IC devices, IC device manufacturers have progressively increased the number and density of electronic components and wiring in each IC device.  As a result, the number of wires and the number of discrete wiring layers have increased.  As the complexity of the IC devices increases, the demand for CMP products also increases.  As semiconductor technology has advanced and performance requirements of IC devices have increased, the percentage of IC devices that utilize CMP in the manufacturing process has increased steadily over time.  We believe that CMP is used in the majority of all IC devices made today, and we expect that the use of CMP will continue to increase in the future.

In the CMP polishing process, CMP consumables are used to level, smooth and remove excess material from the surfaces of the layers of IC devices via a combination of chemical reactions and mechanical abrasion, leaving minimal residue or defects on the surface, and leaving only the material necessary for circuit integrity.  CMP slurries are liquid solutions generally composed of high-purity deionized water and a proprietary mix of chemical additives and engineered abrasives that chemically and mechanically interact with the surface material of the IC device at an atomic level.  CMP pads are engineered polymeric materials designed to distribute and transport the slurry to the surface of the wafer and distribute it evenly across the wafer.  During the CMP process the wafer is typically held on a rotating carrier, which is pressed down against a rotating polishing table and spun in a circular motion.  The portion of the table that comes in contact with the wafer is covered by a textured polishing pad.  A CMP slurry is continuously applied to the polishing pad to facilitate and enhance the polishing process.  Hard disk drive manufacturers use similar processes to smooth the surface of substrate disks before depositing magnetic media onto the disk.
 
 

 
An effective CMP process is achieved through technical optimization of the CMP consumables in conjunction with an appropriately designed CMP process.  Prior to introducing new or different CMP slurries or pads into its manufacturing process, an IC device manufacturer generally requires the product to be qualified in its processes through an extensive series of tests and evaluations.  These qualifications are intended to ensure that the CMP consumable product will function properly within the customer’s overall manufacturing process.  These tests may require minor changes to the CMP process or the CMP slurry or pad.  While this qualification process varies depending on numerous factors, it is generally quite costly and may take six months or longer to complete.  IC device manufacturers usually take into account the cost, time required and impact on production when they consider implementing or switching to a new CMP slurry or pad.

CMP enables IC device manufacturers to produce smaller, faster and more complex IC devices with a greater density of transistors and other electronic components than is possible without CMP.  By enabling IC device manufacturers to make smaller IC devices, CMP also allows them to increase the number of IC devices that fit on a wafer.  This increase in the number of IC devices per wafer in turn increases the throughput, or the number of IC devices that can be manufactured in a given time period, and thereby reduces the cost per device.  CMP also helps reduce the number of defective or substandard IC devices produced, which increases the device yield.  Improvements in throughput and yield reduce an IC device manufacturer's unit production costs, and reducing costs is one of the highest priorities of a semiconductor manufacturer as the return on its significant investment in manufacturing capacity can be enhanced by lower unit costs.  More broadly, sustained growth in the semiconductor industry traditionally has been fueled by lower unit costs, making IC devices more affordable in an expanding range of applications.


PRECISION POLISHING

Through our ESF business, we are applying our technical expertise in CMP consumables and polishing techniques developed for the semiconductor industry to demanding applications in other industries where shaping, enabling and enhancing the performance of surfaces is critical to success.  We believe we can deliver improvements in production efficiencies, figure precision and surface finish for a variety of difficult-to-polish materials.

In addition, many of the production processes currently used in precision machining and polishing have been based on traditional, labor-intensive techniques, which are being replaced by computer-controlled, deterministic processes.  Our fiscal 2006 acquisition of QED Technologies, Inc. (QED) allowed  us to become a leading provider of deterministic finishing technology for the precision optics industry.  We believe precision optics are pervasive, serving several existing large and growing markets such as semiconductor equipment, aerospace, defense, security and telecommunications, and also offer growth potential in new applications.


OUR PRODUCTS

CMP CONSUMABLES FOR IC DEVICES

We develop, produce and sell CMP slurries for a wide range of polishing applications of materials that conduct electrical signals, including tungsten, copper and tantalum (commonly referred to as “copper barrier” or “barrier”).  Slurries for polishing tungsten are used heavily in the production of memory devices and older generation logic devices such as for MP3 players, cellphones, gaming devices and digital video recorders.  Our next generation slurries for tungsten polishing are designed to be tunable, such that customers have greater flexibility, improved performance and a reduced cost of ownership.  Our slurries for polishing copper and barrier materials are used primarily in the production of advanced IC logic devices such as microprocessors for computers, and devices for graphic systems, gaming systems and communication devices.  These products include different slurries for polishing the copper film and the thin barrier layer used to separate copper from the adjacent insulating material.  We offer multiple products for each technology node to enable different integration schemes depending on specific customer needs.



We also develop, manufacture and sell slurry products used to polish the dielectric insulating materials that separate conductive layers within logic and memory semiconductor chips.  Our core slurry products for these materials are used for a wide variety of high volume applications.  Our advanced dielectrics products are designed to be more customized than our core dielectrics products to meet the more stringent and complex performance requirements of specialized polishing applications at advanced technology nodes.

We develop, produce and sell CMP polishing pads, which are consumable materials that work in conjunction with CMP slurries in the CMP polishing process.  We believe that CMP polishing pads represent a natural adjacency to our CMP slurry business, since the technologies are closely related and utilize the same technical and sales infrastructure.  We believe our unique pad material and our continuous pad manufacturing process enable us to produce a pad with a longer pad life, greater consistency from pad-to-pad, and enhanced performance, resulting in lower cost of ownership for our customers.  We are producing and selling pads that can be used on a variety of polishing tools, over a broad range of applications including tungsten, copper and dielectrics, over a wide range of technology nodes, and on both 200mm and 300mm wafers.


CMP CONSUMABLES FOR THE DATA STORAGE INDUSTRY

We develop and produce CMP slurries for polishing the materials that coat rigid disks and magnetic heads used in hard disk drives for computer and other data storage applications, which represent an extension of our core CMP slurry technology and manufacturing capabilities established for the semiconductor industry.  We believe CMP significantly improves the surface finish of these coatings, resulting in greater storage capacity of the hard disk drive systems, and also improves the production efficiency of manufacturers of hard disk drives by helping them increase their throughput and yield.


PRECISION OPTICS PRODUCTS

Through our QED subsidiary, we design and produce precision polishing and metrology systems for advanced optic applications that allow customers to attain near-perfect shape and surface finish on a range of optical components such as mirrors, lenses and prisms.  Historically, advanced optics have been produced using labor-intensive artisan processes, and variability has been common.  QED has created an automated polishing system that enables rapid, deterministic and repeatable surface correction to the most demanding levels of precision in dramatically less time than with traditional means.  QED’s polishing systems use Magneto-Rheological Finishing (MRF), a proprietary surface figuring and finishing technology, which employs magnetic fluids and sophisticated computer technology to polish a variety of shapes and materials.

Fabrication of high quality, advanced optics is often hampered by the lack of accurate and affordable metrology.  For example, interferometers, metrology tools that measure the surface of an optic, traditionally are limited by the size and precision of the reference optic used.  QED’s Subaperture Stitching Interferometry (SSI) workstation enables the automatic capture of precise metrology data for large and/or strongly curved optical parts and gives the user a complete map of the optical surface.  The SSI workstation measures portions of large optical parts, and digitally “stitches” these portions together into a single complete surface map.  This map is needed to produce high precision optics to exacting tolerances.  QED’s SSI technology for Aspheres (SSI-A) is designed to extend the capability of the SSI platform to measure increasingly complex shapes.


STRATEGY

We believe our core competencies lie in our abilities to shape, enable and enhance the performance of surfaces at an atomic level, as well as to consistently and reliably deliver and support products around the world that meet our customers’ demanding specifications.  We continue to pursue two strategic goals intended to utilize these capabilities: 1) strengthen and grow our core CMP consumables business within the semiconductor and hard disk drive industries, and 2) leverage our expertise in CMP process and slurry formulation to expand our ESF business into new markets.



STRENGTHEN AND GROW OUR CORE CMP CONSUMABLES BUSINESS

As the leader in the CMP slurry industry, we intend to grow our core CMP consumables business through implementation of our three strategic initiatives – maintaining our technological leadership, achieving operations excellence and connecting with our customers.  We believe our strong financial performance and financial position allow us to fund growth opportunities in our core CMP consumables business through internally developed technologies as well as potential acquisitions of technologies and businesses.

Technology Leadership:  We believe that technology is vital to success in our CMP consumables business and we devote significant resources to research and development.  We continue to develop and produce new CMP products to address existing or new CMP applications.  We need to stay ahead of the rapid technological advances in the semiconductor and data storage industries in order to deliver a broad line of CMP consumables products that meet or exceed our customers' evolving needs.  We have established research and development facilities in the United States, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore in order to meet our customers’ technology needs on a global basis.

Operations Excellence:  Our customers demand increasing performance of our products in terms of product quality and consistency.  We strive to drive out variation in our products and processes in order to increase quality, productivity and efficiency, and improve the uniformity and consistency of performance of our CMP consumable products.  To support our operations excellence initiative, we have adopted the concepts of Six Sigma across our Company.  Six Sigma is a systematic, data-driven approach and methodology for improving quality by reducing variability.  We believe our Six Sigma initiatives have contributed to a cumulative 23% gain in productivity in our operations over the past four fiscal years.  We also have extended our Six Sigma initiative to include joint projects with customers and vendors.  We continue to make improvements to our supply chain to improve the quality and consistency of our products, processes and raw materials, as well as to expand our production capacity.

Connecting With Our Customers:  We believe that building close relationships with our customers is a key to achieving long-term success in our business.  We work closely with our customers to identify and develop new and better CMP consumables, to integrate our products into their manufacturing processes, and to assist them with supply, warehousing and inventory management.  Our customers demand a highly reliable supply source, and we believe we have a competitive advantage because of our ability to timely deliver high-quality products and service from the early stages of product development through the commercialized use of our products.  We have devoted significant resources to enhance our close customer relationships and we are committed to continuing this effort.  We strategically locate our research facilities, manufacturing operations and the related technical and customer support teams to be responsive to our customers’ needs.

The following are some examples of the successful execution of our strategic initiatives during fiscal 2008.

·  
We significantly increased sales of our differentiated pad product in fiscal 2008 as sales increased to $15.1 million from $0.5 million in fiscal 2007.  We were also able to expand our pad customer base from eight customers at the beginning of the fiscal year to 15 by the end of the year.
·  
We completed the installation of our new 300-millimeter polishing tool and related metrology equipment at our Asia Pacific technology center in Geino, Japan.  This equipment is being used in the development of next-generation products for copper, barrier and other applications as well as for customer demonstrations in the Asia Pacific region.
·  
We entered into a long-term agreement with International Business Machine Corporation (IBM) to jointly develop CMP solutions for a variety of new applications and new materials.
·  
We announced that we have signed an agreement to establish on-site pad finishing capability at one of our customer’s wafer fabrication facilities.



LEVERAGE OUR EXPERTISE INTO NEW MARKETS – ENGINEERED SURFACE FINISHES

In addition to strengthening and growing our core CMP business, we are expanding our Company through our ESF business.  We believe we can leverage our expertise in CMP consumables for the semiconductor industry to develop an array of products for demanding polishing applications in other industries that are synergistic to our CMP consumables business.  One area of focus in our ESF business is on the electronic materials market, including the polishing of electronic substrates such as silicon and silicon-carbide wafers.

Similar to our core CMP business, our ESF business is technology driven.  For example, we believe our QED subsidiary is the technology leader in deterministic finishing for the precision optics industry.  In fiscal 2008, QED was awarded a prestigious “R&D 100 award” by R&D Magazine that was granted for QED’s development of its SSI-A system.  SSI-A is a precision metrology system that is capable of measuring complex optical surfaces, including those that are non-spherical.  Fiscal 2008 was the second consecutive year in which QED has been honored with an R&D 100 award.

QED has expanded its marketing efforts beyond its traditional emphasis on the largest precision optics producers to now also appeal to hundreds of smaller optics manufacturers throughout the world that continue to rely on traditional, manual artisan labor to produce optical components.  These marketing efforts translated into a number of shipments during fiscal 2008 that represented new customers for our QED business.  During fiscal 2008, we equipped our Asia Pacific technology center with QED capabilities to offer product demonstrations to our customers in this region.  These initiatives demonstrate our ability to serve our ESF customers on a global scale, much like we do in our CMP consumables business.


INDUSTRY TRENDS

SEMICONDUCTOR INDUSTRY

We believe the semiconductor industry has demonstrated several clear trends: semiconductor demand is increasingly driven by demand for consumer electronic devices that have a high memory content; there is constant pressure to reduce costs; the number of logic development centers continues to shrink as does the number of semiconductor manufacturers; and business is cyclical.

Consumer electronic devices now represent a strong driver for semiconductor demand, in addition to the traditional driver of personal computers.  Competition in the industry continues to grow as the complexity of devices increases, so customers look for suppliers who can provide innovative and cost-effective solutions.  As we enter fiscal 2009, demand in the semiconductor industry appears to be softening in conjunction with broad economic weakness in the global economy.  Recent analyst reports have forecasted that semiconductor foundries are expected to reduce their utilization rates by 20-30% and a number of memory manufacturers have announced that they will reduce production as well.  We believe, however, that growth in demand for consumer devices as well as continued growth in computing applications will be key growth drivers in the industry over the long term.

As the growth in consumer electronic devices continues, there is increased pressure on IC device manufacturers to reduce their costs since end users of consumer electronic devices are very price sensitive.  Manufacturers are seeking ways to optimize their production yield while minimizing their production costs.  One way they can control unit cost is by maximizing their production capacity, thereby spreading their fixed production costs over a large number of units.  Manufacturers also seek ways to improve their production yield through the use of CMP consumables products with improved product quality and performance.  Our customers also actively seek price reductions to lower their production costs.  This pressure on manufacturers to reduce costs has also led to an increase in the use of foundries where semiconductor companies can outsource some or all of their manufacturing and reduce their fixed costs.

Although cost control is critical, rapid advancement in technology increases the development and production costs of IC devices.  However, technology development can be cost-prohibitive to many manufacturers, so there has been a significant decline in the number of technology development centers in the industry, particularly logic chip design centers.  We believe that our customers are forming consortia and research and development alliances to better manage their development costs.  The number of semiconductor manufacturers has been declining as well, since the smaller manufacturers do not have the resources to compete with the large manufacturers on the global basis needed in today’s market.
 
 

 
The cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry is closely tied to the global economy.  In our fiscal year 2008, we saw a continued weakening of the U.S. and global economy, which now appears to be affecting end user demand for both logic and memory devices.  Semiconductor manufacturers now must pay closer attention to both the cost and volume of production of IC devices.  Although it is not possible to predict how long the current downturn will last, it will likely adversely affect our business well into fiscal 2009.  However, we believe that wafer starts will grow in the long term.


CMP CONSUMABLES INDUSTRY

Demand for CMP consumables is primarily driven by wafer starts, so the CMP consumables industry reflects the cyclicality of the semiconductor industry.  Our financial results for fiscal 2008 also demonstrated this cyclicality.  During the first three quarters of the fiscal year, our revenue grew to record levels as wafer starts in the semiconductor industry continued to grow.  However, we saw a downturn in our fourth quarter revenue as semiconductor unit production declined.  Although wafer starts may fluctuate in the short-term, we anticipate the worldwide market for CMP consumables used by IC device manufacturers will grow in the future as a result of expected long term growth in wafer starts, growth in the percentage of IC devices produced that require CMP, an increase in the number of CMP polishing steps required to produce these devices and the introduction of new materials in the manufacture of semiconductor devices.  We expect the anticipated volume growth will be somewhat mitigated by increased efficiencies in CMP consumable usage as customers seek to reduce their costs, such as through the transition to larger wafers, slurry dilution and decreased slurry flow rates.

As semiconductor technology continues to advance, we believe that CMP technical solutions are becoming more complex, and leading-edge technologies almost always require some customization by customer, tool set and process integration approach.  Leading-edge device designs are introducing more materials and processes into next generation chips, and these new materials and processes must be considered in developing CMP solutions. As a result, customers are selecting suppliers earlier in their development processes and are maintaining preferred supplier relationships through production.  We believe that close collaboration between customers and suppliers offers the best opportunity for optimal CMP solutions.  We also believe that research and development programs are critically important as we invest in new product development and more cost-effective CMP solutions.

COMPETITION

We compete in the CMP consumables industry, which is characterized by rapid advances in technology and demanding product quality and consistency requirements.  We face competition from other CMP consumables suppliers, and we also may face competition in the future from significant changes in technology or emerging technologies.  However, we believe we are well positioned to continue our leadership in the CMP slurry industry.  We believe we have the scale, capabilities and infrastructure that are required for success, and we work closely with the largest customers in the semiconductor industry to meet their growing expectations.

Our CMP slurry competitors range from small companies that compete with a single product and/or in a single geographic region to divisions of global companies with multiple lines of IC manufacturing products.  However, we believe we have more CMP slurry business than any other competitor.  In our view, we are the only CMP slurry supplier today which serves a broad range of customers by offering and supporting a full line of CMP slurry products for all major applications over a range of technologies, and that has a proven track record of supplying these products globally in high volumes with the attendant required high level of technical support services.

The CMP polishing pad market has been dominated by a single entity that has held this position for a number of years.  A number of other companies are attempting to enter this market, providing potentially viable product alternatives.  We believe our pad materials and our continuous pad manufacturing process have enabled us to produce a pad with a longer pad life with more consistency for our customers, thus reducing their total pad cost.  We believe this has fueled significant growth in sales of our pad products.

Our QED subsidiary operates in the precision optics industry.  There are few direct competitors of QED because its technology is relatively new and unique.  We believe QED’s technology provides a competitive advantage to customers in the precision optics industry which still relies heavily on traditional artisan-based methods of fabrication.
 

 

CUSTOMERS, SALES AND MARKETING

Within the semiconductor industry, our customers are primarily producers of logic IC devices, producers of memory IC devices and IC foundries.  Often, logic and memory companies outsource some or all of the production of physical devices to foundries, which provide contract manufacturing services, in order to avoid the high cost of constructing and operating a fab or in cases where they need additional capacity.

Based upon our own observations and customer satisfaction survey results, we believe the following factors influence our customers’ CMP buying decisions: overall cost of ownership, which represents the cost to purchase, use and maintain a product; product quality and consistency; product yield and performance; and delivery/supply assurance.  We believe that greater customer sophistication in the CMP process, more demanding integration schemes, additional and unique polishing materials and cost pressures will add further demands on CMP consumable suppliers. When these factors are combined with our customers’ desires to gain purchasing leverage and lower their cost of ownership, we believe that only the most innovative, cost effective, service driven CMP suppliers will thrive.

We use an interactive approach to build close relationships with our customers in a variety of areas.  Our sales process begins long before the actual sale of our products and occurs on a number of levels.  Due to the long lead times from research and development to product commercialization and sales, we have research teams that collaborate with customers on emerging applications years before the products are required by the market. We also have development teams that coordinate with our customers, using our research and development facilities and capabilities to design CMP products tailored to their precise needs.  Next, our applications engineers work with customers to integrate our products into their manufacturing processes.  Finally, as part of our sales process, our logistics and sales personnel provide supply, warehousing and inventory management for our customers.  In response to significant growth in the IC device manufacturing industry in Asia, we continue to increase our sales and marketing, technical and customer support resources in the Asia Pacific region.

We market our products primarily through direct sales to our customers, although we use distributors in certain countries.  We believe this strategy is one way we can achieve our goal of staying connected with our customers.

Our QED subsidiary supports customers in the semiconductor equipment, aerospace, defense, security and telecommunications markets. QED counts among its worldwide customers leading precision optics manufacturers, major semiconductor original equipment manufacturers, the United States government and its contractors.

In fiscal 2008, our five largest customers accounted for approximately 44% of our revenue, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) accounting for approximately 17% of our revenue.  For additional information on concentration of customers, refer to Note 2 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Form 10-K.


RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT

We believe that technology is vital to success in our CMP business as well as in our ESF business, and we plan to continue to devote significant resources to research and development, and balance our efforts between the shorter-term market needs and the longer-term investments required of us as a technology leader.  We develop and formulate new and enhanced CMP consumables and new CMP processes tailored to our customers' needs.  We work closely with our customers at their facilities to identify their specific technology and manufacturing challenges and to translate these challenges into viable CMP process solutions.

Our technology efforts are currently focused on five main areas that span the very early conceptual stage of product development involving new materials, processes and designs several years in advance of commercialization, through to continuous improvement of already commercialized products in daily use in our customers’ manufacturing facilities:


·  
Research related to fundamental CMP technology;
·  
Development and formulation of new and enhanced CMP consumables products;
·  
Process development to support rapid and effective commercialization of new products;
·  
Technical support of CMP products in our customers’ manufacturing facilities; and
·  
Evaluation of new polishing applications outside of the semiconductor industry.
 
 

 
Our research in CMP slurries and pads addresses a breadth of complex and interrelated performance criteria that relate to the functional performance of the chip, our customers’ manufacturing yield, and their overall cost of ownership.   We design slurries and pads that are capable of polishing one or more materials, sometimes at the same time, that make up the semiconductor circuitry.  Additionally, our products must achieve the desired surface at high polishing rates, high processing yields and low consumables costs in order to earn acceptable system economics for our customers.  As dimensions become smaller and as materials and designs increase in complexity, these challenges require significant investments in research and development.

Beyond CMP for the semiconductor and data storage industries, we also commit internal research and development resources to our ESF business.  We believe that a number of application areas we are currently developing represent natural adjacencies to our core CMP business and technology, and include uses in a number of different fields.  These fields include the development of CMP consumables for the electronic materials market.  One of the areas on which we are focusing is the development of products used to polish silicon and silicon-carbide wafers to improve the surface quality of the wafer and reduce the customers’ total cost of ownership.

We believe that competitive advantage lies in technology leadership, and that our investments in research and development provide us with leading-edge polishing and metrology capabilities to support the most advanced and challenging customer technology requirements on a global basis.  In fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, we incurred approximately $49.2 million, $50.0 million and $48.1 million, respectively, in research and development expenses.  We believe our Six Sigma initiatives in our research and development efforts realized over $4.0 million in cost savings in fiscal 2008, allowing us to do more research at a lesser cost.  Investments in property, plant and equipment to support our research and development efforts are capitalized and depreciated over their useful lives.  We operate a research and development facility in Aurora, Illinois, that is staffed by a team that includes experts from the semiconductor industry and scientists from key disciplines required for the development of high-performance CMP consumable products.  This facility features a Class 1 clean room and advanced equipment for product development, including 300 mm polishing and metrology capabilities, the experimental results from which we believe correlate closely with what our customers experience when using our products in their factories.  In addition, we operate a technology center in Japan that we believe enhances our ability to provide optimized CMP solutions to our customers in the Asia Pacific region.  We added new 300 mm polishing, metrology and slurry development capability to our Asia Pacific technology center in fiscal 2008.  These facilities underscore our commitment both to continuing to invest in our technology infrastructure to maintain our technology leadership, and to becoming even more responsive to the needs of our customers.  Other examples of this commitment include our technical service center in Taiwan, our QED research facility in Rochester, New York, as well as our laboratory in Singapore that provides additional slurry formulation capability to support the data storage industry.


RAW MATERIALS SUPPLY

Fumed metal oxides, such as fumed silica and fumed alumina, are significant raw materials we use in many of our CMP slurries.  In the interest of supply assurance, our strategy is to secure multiple sources of raw materials and qualify those sources as necessary to ensure our supply of raw materials remains uninterrupted.  Also, we have entered into multi-year supply agreements with a number of suppliers for the purchase of raw materials, including agreements with Cabot Corporation for the purchase of certain amounts and types of fumed silica and fumed alumina.  For additional information regarding these agreements, refer to “Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations”, included in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, in Item 7 of Part II of this Form 10-K.




INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Our intellectual property is important to our success and ability to compete.  As of October 31, 2008, we had 173 active U.S. patents and 92 pending U.S. patent applications.  In most cases we file counterpart foreign patent applications.  Many of these patents are important to our continued development of new and innovative products for CMP and related processes, as well as for new businesses.  Our patents have a range of duration and we do not expect to lose any material patent through expiration in the next five years.  We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as employee and third party nondisclosure and assignment agreements.  We vigorously and proactively pursue any parties that attempt to compromise our investments in research and development by infringing our intellectual property.  For example, in January 2007, we filed a legal action against DuPont Air Products NanoMaterials LLC (DA Nano), a competitor of ours, charging that DA Nano’s manufacture and marketing of certain CMP slurries infringe five CMP slurry patents that we own, and that litigation is ongoing.  In addition, in the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we were successful in an action we brought before the United States International Trade Commission (ITC) concerning Cheil Industries, Inc. (Cheil) which resulted in the prohibition of the importation and sale within the United States of certain CMP slurries that infringe certain of our patents, and we have litigation currently ongoing in Korea against Cheil regarding the same patent family.

We also may acquire intellectual property from others to enhance our intellectual property portfolio.  For example, in December 2006, we acquired a license for the non-exclusive use of a broad portfolio of CMP consumable technology and processes from a third party.  In addition, in June 2006, we entered into a patent assignment agreement with IBM to acquire a number of patents and associated rights relating to CMP slurry technology from IBM, including various applications such as copper, barrier, tungsten, and dielectrics, among others.  We also acquired certain proprietary technology and intellectual property as part of our fiscal 2006 acquisitions of QED and Surface Finishes Co.  We believe these technology rights continue to enhance our competitive advantage by providing us with future product development opportunities and expanding our already substantial intellectual property portfolio.


ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

Our facilities are subject to various environmental laws and regulations, including those relating to air emissions, wastewater discharges, the handling and disposal of solid and hazardous wastes, and occupational safety and health.  We believe that our facilities are in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations.  By utilizing Six Sigma in our environmental management system process, we believe we have improved operating efficiencies while protecting the environment.  Our operations in the United States and Japan are ISO 14001 Certified, which requires that we implement and operate according to various procedures that demonstrate our dedication to waste reduction, energy conservation and other environmental concerns.  We are committed to maintaining these certifications and are actively pursuing ISO 14001 certification for our operations in Taiwan and Singapore.  We will also obtain additional certifications, as applicable, in the areas in which we do business.  We have incurred, and will continue to incur, capital and operating expenditures and other costs in complying with these laws and regulations in both the United States and abroad.  However, we currently do not anticipate that the future costs of environmental compliance will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

EMPLOYEES

We believe we have a world-class team of scientists, technologists, engineers and other employees who make our Company successful.  As of October 31, 2008, we employed 818 individuals, including 420 in operations, 211 in research and development and technical, 89 in sales and marketing and 98 in administration.  None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements.  We have not experienced any work stoppages and in general consider our relations with our employees to be good.




FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT GEOGRAPHIC AREAS

We sell our products worldwide.  Our geographic coverage allows us to utilize our business and technical expertise from a worldwide workforce, provides stability to our operations and revenue streams to offset geography-specific economic trends, and offers us an opportunity to take advantage of new markets for products.

For more financial information about geographic areas, see Note 18 of “Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements” included in Item 8 of Part II of this Form 10-K.


AVAILABLE INFORMATION

Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, definitive proxy statements on Form 14A, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports are made available free of charge on our Company website, www.cabotcmp.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).   Statements of changes in beneficial ownership of our securities on Form 4 by our executive officers and directors are made available on our Company website by the end of the business day following the submission to the SEC of such filings.  In addition, the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov) contains reports, proxy statements, and other information that we file electronically with the SEC.



 

 
ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

We do not believe there have been any material changes in our risk factors since the filing of our Annual Report of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2007 other than the description of risks related to worldwide economic and industry conditions, including tightening of credit markets, and a description of the risk associated with our investment in auction rate securities (ARS) that we introduced in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2008.  We may update our risk factors in our SEC filings from time to time for clarification purposes or to include additional information, at management's discretion, even when there have been no material changes.


RISKS RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS

DEMAND FOR OUR PRODUCTS AND OUR BUSINESS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC AND INDUSTRY CONDITIONS

Our business is affected by economic and industry conditions and our revenue is dependent upon semiconductor demand.  Semiconductor demand, in turn, is impacted by semiconductor industry cycles, and these cycles can dramatically affect our business.  From time to time, the semiconductor industry has experienced significant downturns, which may be characterized by decreases in product demand, excess customer inventories, and accelerated erosion of prices.  The continued weakening of the U.S. and global economy and the recent turmoil in the worldwide financial markets appear to have led to such a downturn.  As end user demand for electronic devices declines, semiconductor manufacturers reduce their production of these devices, which reduces the need for our CMP consumables products.  If global economic conditions remain uncertain or deteriorate further, we may experience material adverse impacts on our results of operations and financial condition.  Some additional factors that affect demand for our products include customers’ production of logic versus memory devices, their transition from 200 mm to 300 mm wafers, customers’ specific integration schemes, share gains and losses and pricing changes by us and our competitors.


WE HAVE A NARROW PRODUCT RANGE AND OUR PRODUCTS MAY BECOME OBSOLETE, OR TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES MAY REDUCE OR LIMIT INCREASES IN THE CONSUMPTION OF CMP SLURRIES AND PADS

Our business is substantially dependent on a single class of products, CMP slurries, which account for the majority of our revenue. We are also developing our business in CMP pads.  Our business would suffer if these products became obsolete or if consumption of these products decreased.  Our success depends on our ability to keep pace with technological changes and advances in the semiconductor industry and to adapt, improve and customize our products for advanced IC applications in response to evolving customer needs and industry trends.  Since its inception, the semiconductor industry has experienced rapid technological changes and advances in the design, manufacture, performance and application of IC devices, and our customers continually pursue lower cost of ownership of materials consumed in their manufacturing processes, including CMP slurries and pads.  We expect these technological changes and advances, and this drive toward lower costs, to continue in the future.  Potential technology developments in the semiconductor industry, as well as our customers’ efforts to reduce consumption of CMP slurries and pads, could render our products less important to the IC device manufacturing process.


A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR BUSINESS COMES FROM A LIMITED NUMBER OF LARGE CUSTOMERS AND OUR REVENUE AND PROFITS COULD DECREASE SIGNIFICANTLY IF WE LOST ONE OR MORE OF THESE CUSTOMERS

Our customer base is concentrated among a limited number of large customers.  One or more of these principal customers could stop buying CMP consumables from us or could substantially reduce the quantity of CMP consumables they purchase from us.  Our principal customers also hold considerable purchasing power, which can impact the pricing and terms of sale of our products.  Any deferral or significant reduction in CMP consumables sold to these principal customers, or a significant number of smaller customers, could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

In fiscal 2008, our five largest customers accounted for approximately 44% of our revenue, with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) accounting for approximately 17% of our revenue.  In fiscal 2007, our five largest customers accounted for approximately 43% of our revenue; with TSMC accounting for approximately 17% of our revenue.
 
 

 
OUR BUSINESS COULD BE SERIOUSLY HARMED IF OUR EXISTING OR FUTURE COMPETITORS DEVELOP SUPERIOR SLURRY PRODUCTS, OFFER BETTER PRICING TERMS OR SERVICE, OR OBTAIN CERTAIN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

Competition from current CMP slurry manufacturers or new entrants to the CMP slurry market could seriously harm our business and results of operations.  Competition from other existing providers of CMP slurries could continue to increase, and opportunities exist for other companies with sufficient financial or technological resources to emerge as potential competitors by developing their own CMP slurry products.  Increased competition has and may continue to impact the prices we are able to charge for our slurry products as well as our overall business.  In addition, our competitors could have or obtain intellectual property rights which could restrict our ability to market our existing products and/or to innovate and develop new products.


ANY PROBLEM OR DISRUPTION IN OUR SUPPLY CHAIN, INCLUDING SUPPLY OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT RAW MATERIALS, OR IN OUR ABILITY TO MANUFACTURE AND DELIVER OUR PRODUCTS TO OUR CUSTOMERS,  COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We depend on our supply chain to enable us to meet the demands of our customers.  Our supply chain includes the raw materials we use to manufacture our products, our production operations, and the means by which we deliver our products to our customers.  Our business could be adversely affected by any problem or interruption in our supply of the key raw materials we use in our CMP slurries and pads, including fumed metal oxides such as fumed alumina and fumed silica, which we use for certain of our slurries, or any problem or interruption that may occur during production or delivery of our products, such as weather-related problems or natural disasters.

For example, Cabot Corporation continues to be our primary supplier of particular amounts and types of fumed alumina and fumed silica.  We believe it would be difficult to promptly secure alternative sources of key raw materials, including fumed alumina and fumed silica, in the event one of our suppliers becomes unable to supply us with sufficient quantities of raw materials that meet the quality and technical specifications required by our customers.  In addition, contractual amendments to the existing agreements with, or non-performance by, our suppliers could adversely affect us.   Also, if we change the supplier or type of key raw materials we use to make our CMP slurries or pads, or are required to purchase them from a different manufacturer or manufacturing facility or otherwise modify our products, in certain circumstances our customers might have to requalify our CMP slurries and pads for their manufacturing processes and products.  The requalification process could take a significant amount of time and expense to complete and could motivate our customers to consider purchasing products from our competitors, possibly interrupting or reducing our sales of CMP consumables to these customers.


WE ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH OUR FOREIGN OPERATIONS

We currently have operations and a large customer base outside of the United States.  Approximately 81%, 79% and 79% of our revenue was generated by sales to customers outside of the United States for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  We encounter risks in doing business in certain foreign countries, including, but not limited to, adverse changes in economic and political conditions, fluctuation in exchange rates, compliance with a variety of foreign laws and regulations, as well as difficulty in enforcing business and customer contracts and agreements, including protection of intellectual property rights.



 

 
BECAUSE WE HAVE LIMITED EXPERIENCE IN BUSINESS AREAS OUTSIDE OF CMP SLURRIES, EXPANSION OF OUR BUSINESS INTO NEW PRODUCTS AND APPLICATIONS MAY NOT BE SUCCESSFUL

An element of our strategy has been to leverage our current customer relationships and technological expertise to expand our CMP business from CMP slurries into other areas, such as CMP polishing pads.  Additionally, pursuant to our Engineered Surface Finishes business, we are actively pursuing a variety of surface modification applications, such as high precision optics.  Expanding our business into new product areas could involve technologies, production processes and business models in which we have limited experience, and we may not be able to develop and produce products or provide services that satisfy customers’ needs or we may be unable to keep pace with technological or other developments.  Also, our competitors may have or obtain intellectual property rights which could restrict our ability to market our existing products and/or to innovate and develop new products.


BECAUSE WE RELY HEAVILY ON OUR INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, OUR FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY OBTAIN OR PROTECT IT COULD SERIOUSLY HARM OUR BUSINESS

Protection of intellectual property is particularly important in our industry because we develop complex technical formulas for CMP products that are proprietary in nature and differentiate our products from those of our competitors.  Our intellectual property is important to our success and ability to compete.  We attempt to protect our intellectual property rights through a combination of patent, trademark, copyright and trade secret laws, as well as employee and third-party nondisclosure and assignment agreements.  Due to our international operations, we pursue protection in different jurisdictions, which may provide varying degrees of protection, and we cannot provide assurance that we can obtain or maintain adequate protection in each such jurisdiction.  Our failure to obtain or maintain adequate protection of our intellectual property rights for any reason, including through the patent prosecution process or in the event of litigation related to such intellectual property, such as the current litigation between us and DuPont Air Products Nanomaterials described above in Part I, Item 1 under the heading “Intellectual Property” and in Part I, Item 3 under the heading “Legal Proceedings”, could seriously harm our business.  In addition, the costs of obtaining or protecting our intellectual property could negatively affect our operating results.


WE MAY PURSUE ACQUISITIONS OF, INVESTMENTS IN, AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCES WITH OTHER ENTITIES, WHICH COULD DISRUPT OUR OPERATIONS AND HARM OUR OPERATING RESULTS IF THEY ARE UNSUCCESSFUL

We expect to continue to make investments in companies, either through acquisitions, investments or alliances, in order to supplement our internal growth and development efforts.  Acquisitions and investments involve numerous risks, including the following: difficulties in integrating the operations, technologies, products and personnel of acquired companies; diversion of management’s attention from normal daily operations of the business; potential difficulties in entering markets in which we have limited or no direct prior experience and where competitors in such markets have stronger market positions; potential difficulties in operating new businesses with different business models; potential difficulties with regulatory or contract compliance in areas in which we have limited experience; initial dependence on unfamiliar supply chains or relatively small supply partners; insufficient revenues to offset increased expenses associated with acquisitions; potential loss of key employees of the acquired companies; or inability to effectively cooperate and collaborate with our alliance partners.

Further, we may never realize the perceived or anticipated benefits of a business combination or investments in other entities.  Acquisitions by us could have negative effects on our results of operations, in areas such as contingent liabilities, gross profit margins, amortization charges related to intangible assets and other effects of accounting for the purchases of other business entities.  Investments in and acquisitions of technology and development stage companies are inherently risky because these businesses may never develop, and we may incur losses related to these investments.  In addition, we may be required to write down the carrying value of these investments to reflect other than temporary declines in their value, which could harm our business and results of operations.




 
WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO MONETIZE OUR INVESTMENTS IN AUCTION RATE SECURITIES IN THE SHORT TERM AND WE COULD EXPERIENCE A DECLINE IN THEIR MARKET VALUE, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR FINANCIAL RESULTS

We owned ARS with an estimated fair value of $8.2 million ($8.4 million par value) at September 30, 2008.  We classified $5.0 million of fair value as Short-Term Investments and $3.2 million as Other Long-Term Assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2008.  If auctions involving our ARS continue to fail, if issuers of our ARS are unable to refinance the underlying securities, if underlying municipalities are unable to pay debt obligations and related bond insurance fails, or if credit ratings decline or other adverse developments occur in the credit markets, then we may not be able to monetize these securities in the short term.  We may also be required to further adjust the carrying value of these instruments through an impairment charge that may be deemed other-than-temporary which would adversely affect our financial results.


OUR INABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN KEY PERSONNEL COULD CAUSE OUR BUSINESS TO SUFFER

If we fail to attract and retain the necessary managerial, technical and customer support personnel, our business and our ability to maintain existing and obtain new customers, develop new products and provide acceptable levels of customer service could suffer.  Competition for qualified personnel, particularly those with significant experience in the semiconductor industry, is intense.  The loss of services of key employees could harm our business and results of operations.


RISKS RELATING TO THE MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK

THE MARKET PRICE MAY FLUCTUATE SIGNIFICANTLY AND RAPIDLY

The market price of our common stock has fluctuated and could continue to fluctuate significantly as a result of factors such as: economic and stock market conditions generally and specifically as they may impact participants in the semiconductor and related industries; changes in financial estimates and recommendations by securities analysts who follow our stock; earnings and other announcements by, and changes in market evaluations of, us or participants in the semiconductor and related industries; changes in business or regulatory conditions affecting us or participants in the semiconductor and related industries; announcements or implementation by us, our competitors, or our customers of technological innovations, new products or different business strategies; and trading volume of our common stock.


ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS UNDER OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS AND OUR RIGHTS PLAN MAY DISCOURAGE THIRD PARTIES FROM MAKING AN UNSOLICITED BID FOR OUR COMPANY

Our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws, our rights plan and various provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law may make it more difficult to effect a change in control of our Company. For example, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation authorizes our Board of Directors to issue up to 20 million shares of blank check preferred stock and to attach special rights and preferences to this preferred stock, which may make it more difficult or expensive for another person or entity to acquire control of us without the consent of our Board of Directors.  Also our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides for the division of our Board of Directors into three classes as nearly equal in size as possible with staggered three-year terms.

We have adopted change in control arrangements covering our executive officers and other key employees.  These arrangements provide for a cash severance payment, continued medical benefits and other ancillary payments and benefits upon termination of service of a covered employee’s employment following a change in control, which may make it more expensive to acquire our Company.




 
ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.


ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES

Our principal U.S. facilities that we own consist of:

§  
a global headquarters and research and development facility in Aurora, Illinois, comprising approximately 200,000 square feet;
§  
a commercial dispersion plant and distribution center in Aurora, Illinois, comprising approximately 175,000 square feet;
§  
a commercial polishing pad manufacturing plant and offices in Aurora, Illinois, comprising approximately 48,000 square feet;
§  
an additional 13.2 acres of vacant land in Aurora, Illinois; and
§  
a facility in Addison, Illinois, comprising approximately 15,000 square feet.

In addition, we lease a facility in Rochester, New York, comprising approximately 21,000 square feet.

Our principal foreign facilities that we own consist of:

§  
a commercial dispersion plant and distribution center in Geino, Japan, comprising approximately 113,000 square feet;
§  
a research and development facility in Geino, Japan, comprising approximately 20,000 square feet.

Our principal foreign facilities that we lease consist of:

§  
an office, research and development laboratory, polishing pad manufacturing and pilot plant in Hsin-Chu, Taiwan, comprising approximately 31,000 square feet;
§  
a commercial manufacturing plant, research and development facility and business office in Singapore, comprising approximately 24,000 square feet.

We believe that our facilities are suitable and adequate for their intended purpose and provide us with sufficient capacity and capacity expansion opportunities and technological capability to meet our current and expected demand in the foreseeable future.  We completed the closing of our smallest slurry manufacturing facility located in Barry, Wales during our third quarter of fiscal 2008.  We believe this action will improve our operational efficiency and competitiveness in the cost-sensitive environment in which we operate.




ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

While we are not involved in any legal proceedings that we believe will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, we periodically become a party to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business.  For example, in January 2007, we filed a legal action against DuPont Air Products NanoMaterials LLC (DA Nano), a CMP slurry competitor, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, charging that DA Nano’s manufacturing and marketing of CMP slurries infringe five CMP slurry patents that we own.  The affected DA Nano products include certain products used for tungsten CMP.  We filed our infringement complaint as a counterclaim in response to an action filed by DA Nano in the same court in December 2006 that seeks declaratory relief and alleges non-infringement, invalidity and unenforceability regarding some of the patents at issue in our complaint against DA Nano.  DA Nano filed its complaint following our refusal of its request that we license to it our patents raised in its complaint.  DA Nano’s complaint does not allege any infringement by our products of intellectual property owned by DA Nano.  On July 25, 2008, the District Court issued its patent claim construction, or “Markman” Order (“Markman Order”) in the litigation.  In a Markman ruling, a district court hearing a patent infringement case interprets and rules on the scope and meaning of disputed patent claim language regarding the patents in suit.  We believe that a Markman decision is often a significant factor in the progress and outcome of patent infringement litigation.  In the recently issued Markman Order, the District Court adopted interpretations that we believe are favorable to Cabot Microelectronics on all claim terms that were in dispute in the litigation.  Although no trial date has been set, we currently expect trial in this matter to occur sometime in the summer of 2009.  While the outcome of this and any legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that our claims and defenses in the pending action are meritorious, and we intend to pursue and defend them vigorously.


ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.



 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Set forth below is information concerning our executive officers and their ages as of October 31, 2008.

NAME
 
AGE
 
POSITION
         
William P. Noglows
 
50
 
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
H. Carol Bernstein
 
48
 
Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel
Yumiko Damashek
 
52
 
Vice President, Japan and Operations Asia
William S. Johnson
 
51
 
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
David H. Li
 
35
 
Vice President, Asia Pacific Region
Daniel J. Pike
 
45
 
Vice President, Corporate Development
Stephen R. Smith
 
49
 
Vice President, Marketing
Clifford L. Spiro
 
54
 
Vice President, Research and Development
Adam F. Weisman
 
46
 
Vice President, Business Operations
Daniel S. Wobby
 
45
 
Vice President, Global Sales
Thomas S. Roman
 
47
 
Principal Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller

WILLIAM P. NOGLOWS has served as our Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer since November 2003.  Mr. Noglows had previously served as a director of our Company from January 2000 until April 2002.  Prior to joining us, Mr. Noglows served as an Executive Vice President of Cabot Corporation from 1998 to June 2003.  Prior to that, Mr. Noglows held various management positions at Cabot Corporation including General Manager of Cabot Corporation’s Cab-O-Sil Division, where he was one of the primary founders of our Company when our business was a division of Cabot Corporation, and was responsible for identifying and encouraging the development of the CMP application.  Mr. Noglows received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology.  Mr. Noglows is also a director of Littlefuse, Inc.

H. CAROL BERNSTEIN has served as our Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel since August 2000.  From January 1998 until joining us, Ms. Bernstein served as the General Counsel and Director of Industrial Technology Development of Argonne National Laboratory, which is operated by the University of Chicago for the United States Department of Energy.  From May 1985 until December 1997, she served in various positions with the IBM Corporation, culminating in serving as an Associate General Counsel, and was the Vice President, Secretary and General Counsel of Advantis Corporation, an IBM joint venture.  Ms. Bernstein received her B.A. from Colgate University and her J.D. from Northwestern University; she is a member of the Bar of the states of Illinois and New York.

YUMIKO DAMASHEK has served as our Vice President, Japan and Operations Asia since June 2008.  Previously, Ms. Damashek served as Managing Director of Japan since November 2005.  Prior to joining us, Ms. Damashek served as President for Celerity Japan, Inc.  Prior to that, she held various leadership positions at Global Partnership Creation, Inc. and Millipore Corporation.  Ms. Damashek received her B.A. from the University of Arizona and her M.B.A. from San Diego State University.

WILLIAM S. JOHNSON has served as our Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since April 2003.  Prior to joining us, Mr. Johnson served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Budget Group, Inc. from August 2000 to March 2003.  Before that, Mr. Johnson spent 16 years at BP Amoco in various senior finance and management positions, the most recent of which was President of Amoco Fabrics and Fibers Company.  Mr. Johnson received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma and his M.B.A. from the Harvard Business School.

DAVID H. LI has served as our Vice President, Asia Pacific Region since June 2008.  Prior to that, Mr. Li served as Managing Director of Korea and China since February 2007.  Previously, Mr. Li served as our Global Business Director for Tungsten and Advanced Dielectrics from 2005 to February 2007.  Mr. Li held a variety of leadership positions for us in operations, sourcing and investor relations between 1998 and 2005.  Prior to joining us, Mr. Li worked for UOP in marketing and process engineering.  Mr. Li received a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from Purdue University and an M.B.A. from Northwestern University - Kellogg School of Management.



DANIEL J. PIKE has served as our Vice President of Corporate Development since January 2004 and prior to that was our Vice President of Operations from December 1999.  Mr. Pike served as Cabot Corporation’s Director of Global Operations from 1996 to 1999.  Prior to that, Mr. Pike worked for FMC Corporation in various marketing and finance positions.  Mr. Pike received his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Buffalo and his M.B.A. from the Wharton School of Business of the University of Pennsylvania.

STEPHEN R. SMITH has served as our Vice President of Marketing since September 2006, and previously was our Vice President of Marketing and Business Management since April 2005 and our Vice President of Sales and Marketing from October 2001.  Prior to joining us, Mr. Smith served as Vice President, Sales & Business Development for Buildpoint Corporation from 2000 to October 2001.  Prior to that, Mr. Smith spent 17 years at Tyco Electronics Group, formerly known as AMP Incorporated, in various management positions.  Mr. Smith earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Grove City College and an M.B.A. from Wake Forest University.

CLIFFORD L. SPIRO has served as Vice President of Research and Development since December 2003.  Prior to joining us, Dr. Spiro served as Vice President of Research and Development at Ondeo-Nalco from 2001 through November 2003.  Prior to that, Dr. Spiro held research and development management and senior technology positions at the General Electric Company from 1980 through 2001, the most recent of which was Global Manager – Technology for Business Development.  Dr. Spiro received his B.S. in Chemistry from Stanford University and his Ph.D. in Chemistry from the California Institute of Technology.

ADAM F. WEISMAN has served as our Vice President of Business Operations since September 2006, and prior to that was our Vice President of Operations.  Before joining us, Mr. Weisman held various engineering and senior operations management positions with the General Electric Company from 1988 through 2004, including having served as the General Manager of Manufacturing for GE Plastics - Superabrasives, and culminating in serving as the Executive Vice President of Operations for GE Railcar Services.  Prior to joining GE, he worked as an engineering team leader and pilot plant manager for E.I. Du Pont de Nemours & Company.  Mr. Weisman holds a B.S. in Ceramic Engineering from Alfred University.

DANIEL S. WOBBY has served as our Vice President of Global Sales since June 2008.  Prior to that, Mr. Wobby served as Vice President, Asia Pacific Region since September 2005.  Previously, Mr. Wobby served as Vice President, Greater China and Southeast Asia starting in February 2004 and as Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer from 2000 to 2004.  From 1989 to 2000, Mr. Wobby held various accounting and operations positions with Cabot Corporation culminating in serving as Director of Finance.  Mr. Wobby earned a B.S. in Accounting from St. Michael’s College and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago’s Graduate School of Business.

THOMAS S. ROMAN has served as our Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer since February 2004 and previously served as our North American Controller.  Prior to joining us in April 2000, Mr. Roman was employed by FMC Corporation in various financial reporting, tax and audit positions.  Before that, Mr. Roman worked for Gould Electronics and Arthur Andersen LLP.  Mr. Roman is a C.P.A. and earned a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Illinois and an M.B.A. from DePaul University’s Kellstadt Graduate School of Business.





PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock has traded publicly under the symbol "CCMP" since our initial public offering in April 2000, currently on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, and formerly the NASDAQ National Market.  The following table sets forth the range of quarterly high and low closing sales prices for our common stock.

   
HIGH
LOW
Fiscal 2007
     
 
First Quarter
34.47
28.24
 
Second Quarter
34.37
30.11
 
Third Quarter
37.19
32.01
 
Fourth Quarter
44.56
35.53
Fiscal 2008
     
 
First Quarter
46.44
35.27
 
Second Quarter
36.00
30.48
 
Third Quarter
37.64
31.24
 
Fourth Quarter
42.80
31.55
Fiscal 2009 First Quarter (through October 31, 2008)
32.39
24.09


As of October 31, 2008, there were approximately 1,058 holders of record of our common stock.  No dividends were declared or paid in either fiscal 2008 or fiscal 2007 and we have no current plans to pay cash dividends in the future.


ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
Average Price Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (in thousands)
Jul. 1 through
  Jul. 31, 2008
 
          --
 
$       --
 
          --
 
$55,003
Aug. 1 through
  Aug. 31, 2008
 
121,166
 
$41.27
 
121,166
 
$50,003
Sep. 1 through
  Sep. 30, 2008
 
          --
 
$      --
 
          --
 
$50,003
 
Total
 
121,166
 
$41.27
 
121,166
 
$50,003


On October 27, 2005, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a share repurchase program for up to $40.0 million of our outstanding common stock.  We completed this share repurchase authorization during the quarter ended December 31, 2007.  In January 2008, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a new share repurchase program for up to $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock.  The shares we repurchased during the second, third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2008 were repurchased under this new program.  Shares are repurchased from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market transactions, at management’s discretion.  We fund share repurchases from our existing cash balance.  The program, which became effective on the authorization date, may be suspended or terminated at any time, at the Company’s discretion.  We view the program as a flexible and effective means to return cash to shareholders.


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

See Part II, Item 12 of this Form 10-K for information regarding shares of common stock that may be issued under the Company’s existing equity compensation plans.



STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph illustrates the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock during the period from September 30, 2003 through September 30, 2008 and compares it with the cumulative total return on the NASDAQ Composite Index and the Philadelphia Semiconductor Index.  The comparison assumes $100 was invested on September 30, 2003 in our common stock and in each of the foregoing indices and assumes reinvestment of dividends, if any.  The performance shown is not necessarily indicative of future performance.  See “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A above.


 
 
 
 
9/03
12/03
3/04
6/04
9/04
12/04
3/05
6/05
9/05
12/05
3/06
                       
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
100.00
88.08
75.73
55.02
65.16
72.03
56.41
52.11
52.81
52.65
66.69
NASDAQ Composite
100.00
111.66
111.85
115.23
107.74
123.02
113.34
116.49
123.03
126.63
135.42
Philadelphia Semiconductor
100.00
115.86
106.94
103.46
81.61
93.67
91.89
98.50
103.48
107.41
101.17

 
6/06
9/06
12/06
3/07
6/07
9/07
12/07
3/08
6/08
9/08
                     
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
54.48
51.81
61.01
60.24
63.80
76.85
64.55
57.79
59.59
57.67
NASDAQ Composite
126.13
131.60
141.64
142.17
152.34
158.88
154.89
132.97
134.65
119.05
Philadelphia Semiconductor
93.47
99.05
98.95
97.01
110.67
112.63
103.30
88.64
93.01
78.45





ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The following selected financial data for each year of the five-year period ended September 30, 2008, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements.

The information set forth below is not necessarily indicative of results of future operations and should be read in conjunction with Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements included in Items 7 and 8 of Part II of this Form 10-K, as well as Risk Factors included in Item 1A of Part I of this Form 10-K.


CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
 
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA - FIVE YEAR SUMMARY
 
(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                               
                               
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
      2005*       2004*  
Consolidated Statement of Income Data:
                                 
Revenue
  $ 375,069     $ 338,205     $ 320,795     $ 270,484     $ 309,433  
  Cost of goods sold
    200,596       178,224       171,758       141,282       156,805  
Gross profit
    174,473       159,981       149,037       129,202       152,628  
                                         
  Operating expenses:
                                       
      Research, development and technical
    49,155       49,970       48,070       43,010       44,003  
Selling and marketing
    28,281       24,310       21,115       16,989       16,225  
    General and administrative
    47,595       39,933       34,319       25,427       22,691  
      Purchased in-process research and development
    -       -       1,120       -       -  
      Total operating expenses
    125,031       114,213       104,624       85,426       82,919  
   Operating income
    49,442       45,768       44,413       43,776       69,709  
                                         
   Other income, net
    5,448       3,606       4,111       2,747       139  
     Income before income taxes
    54,890       49,374       48,524       46,523       69,848  
     Provision for income taxes
    16,552       15,538       15,576       14,050       23,120  
Net income
  $ 38,338     $ 33,836     $ 32,948     $ 32,473     $ 46,728  
                                         
Basic earnings per share
  $ 1.64     $ 1.42     $ 1.36     $ 1.32     $ 1.89  
                                         
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
    23,315       23,748       24,228       24,563       24,750  
                                         
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.64     $ 1.42     $ 1.36     $ 1.32     $ 1.88  
                                         
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
    23,348       23,754       24,228       24,612       24,882  
                                         
Cash dividends per share
  $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  


 
* We adopted the provisons of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), "Share-Based Payment", effective
 
    October 1, 2005.  Consequently, fiscal years ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 had no share-based compensation expense.
 
 
   
As of September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
   
2005
   
2004
 
Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:
                             
      Current assets
  $ 330,592     $ 310,754     $ 261,505     $ 245,807     $ 229,681  
      Property, plant and equipment, net
    115,843       118,454       130,176       135,784       127,794  
      Other assets
    31,002       25,921       20,452       5,172       5,816  
   Total assets
  $ 477,437     $ 455,129     $ 412,133     $ 386,763     $ 363,291  
                                         
      Current liabilities
  $ 37,801     $ 36,563     $ 38,833     $ 35,622     $ 32,375  
      Other long-term liabilities
    5,403       5,362       5,529       12,057       15,294  
     Total liabilities
    43,204       41,925       44,362       47,679       47,669  
      Stockholders' equity
    434,233       413,204       367,771       339,084       315,622  
         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
  $ 477,437     $ 455,129     $ 412,133     $ 386,763     $ 363,291  
                                         


ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", as well as disclosures included elsewhere in this Form 10-K, include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  This Act provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about themselves so long as they identify these statements as forward-looking and provide meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ from the projected results.  All statements other than statements of historical fact we make in this Form 10-K are forward-looking.  In particular, the statements herein regarding future sales and operating results; Company and industry growth and trends; growth of the markets in which the Company participates; international events or various economic factors; product performance; the generation, protection and acquisition of intellectual property, and litigation and the outcome of litigation related to such intellectual property; new product introductions; development of new products, technologies and markets; the acquisition of or investment in other entities; uses and investment of the Company’s cash balance; the construction of new or refurbishment of existing facilities by the Company; and statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words "intends", "estimates", "plans", "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "should", "could" or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements reflect our current expectations and are inherently uncertain.  Our actual results may differ significantly from our expectations.  We assume no obligation to update this forward-looking information.  The section entitled "Risk Factors" describes some, but not all, of the factors that could cause these differences.

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our historical financial statements and the notes to those financial statements which are included in Item 8 of Part II of this Form 10-K.


OVERVIEW

Cabot Microelectronics Corporation ("Cabot Microelectronics'', "the Company'', "us'', "we'', or "our'') is the leading supplier of high-performance polishing slurries used in the manufacture of advanced integrated circuit (IC) devices within the semiconductor industry, in a process called chemical mechanical planarization (CMP).  CMP is a polishing process used by IC device manufacturers to planarize or flatten many of the multiple layers of material that are deposited upon silicon wafers in the production of advanced ICs.  Demand for our CMP products is primarily driven by the number of wafers produced by semiconductor manufacturers, referred to as “wafer starts”.

We operate predominantly in one industry segment – the development, manufacture and sale of CMP consumables.  We develop, produce and sell CMP slurries for polishing many of the conducting and insulating materials used in IC devices, and also for polishing the disk substrates and magnetic heads used in hard disk drives.  We also develop, manufacture and sell CMP polishing pads, which are used in conjunction with slurries in the CMP process.

We remain focused on the consistent and successful execution of our three strategic initiatives within our core CMP business: maintaining our technological leadership, achieving operations excellence and connecting with our customers.  In fiscal 2008, we significantly increased sales of our polishing pad product, which we believe is differentiated from other pad offerings.  We completed the installation of our new 300-millimeter polishing tool and the related metrology equipment at our Asia Pacific technology center in Geino, Japan.  We also entered into a long-term agreement with International Business Machine Corporation to jointly develop CMP solutions for a variety of new applications and new materials.



The continued weakening of the U.S. and global economy and the recent volatility in the capital and credit markets appear to have begun to affect end user demand for IC devices.  This reduction in end user demand, in turn, has caused our semiconductor customers to reduce their production.  Recent analyst reports have forecasted that semiconductor foundries are expected to reduce their utilization rates by 20-30% and a number of memory manufacturers have announced that they will reduce production as well.  Since the primary driver of revenue for our CMP consumable products is wafer starts, this economic slowdown has affected us, and we believe will continue to adversely affect us in the near term.  However, we believe that growth opportunities in polishing pads, ESF and slurry products for advanced dielectric and barrier applications may be able to partially offset a reduction in demand due to the economic downturn.  There are many other factors that make it difficult for us to predict future revenue trends for our CMP business, including the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry; potential future acquisitions; short order to delivery time for our products and the associated lack of visibility to future customer orders; and quarter to quarter changes in our revenue regardless of industry strength.

In addition to strengthening and growing our core CMP business, through our Engineered Surface Finishes (ESF) business we seek to leverage our expertise in CMP formulation, materials and polishing techniques for the semiconductor industry to address other demanding market applications requiring nanoscale control of surface shape and finish, and gain access to a variety of markets that we do not currently serve.  We are pursuing a number of surface modification applications where we believe our technical ability to shape, enable and enhance the performance of surfaces at an atomic level can add value to our customers.

Revenue for fiscal 2008 was $375.1 million, which was an increase of 10.9% from the $338.2 million reported for fiscal 2007.  This increase reflected solid demand for our CMP slurry products for the semiconductor industry during the first nine months of our fiscal year.  However, we began to feel the effects of a reduction in semiconductor wafer starts, which we believe was due to the overall worldwide economic slowdown, during our fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 as we experienced a decline in the demand for our CMP slurry products.  The overall revenue increase in fiscal 2008 from the prior year also reflected significant growth in sales of our polishing pad product as we generated $15.1 million in pad revenue in fiscal 2008 compared to only $0.5 million in fiscal 2007.  The increase in revenue from these CMP consumable products was partially offset by lower revenue from our ESF products and our CMP slurries for data storage applications.

Gross profit expressed as a percentage of revenue for fiscal 2008 was 46.5%, which represents a decrease from the 47.3% reported for fiscal 2007.  The decrease was primarily driven by higher fixed production costs and lower manufacturing yields, both primarily associated with our developing pad business, and higher manufacturing variances, partially offset by a favorable product mix and higher utilization of our manufacturing capacity on a higher volume of sales.  We believe the low manufacturing yields in our pad business are common during a new product production ramp.  We made improvements to our pad manufacturing process through our Six Sigma efforts that enabled us to improve our pad margins in the second half of the fiscal year.  We expect to maintain our gross profit as a percentage of revenue in the range of 46% to 48% for the full fiscal year 2009.  We may experience quarterly gross profit above or below this annual guidance range due to a number of factors including fluctuations in our product mix and the extent to which we utilize our manufacturing capacity.

Operating expenses of $125.0 million, which include research, development, technical, selling, marketing, general and administrative expenses, increased 9.5%, or $10.8 million, from the $114.2 million reported for fiscal 2007.  The increase was primarily due to higher professional fees, including fees related to the enforcement of our intellectual property, and higher staffing related costs.  In fiscal 2009, we expect our full year operating expenses to be in the range of $120 million to $125 million.

Diluted earnings per share of $1.64 in fiscal 2008 increased 15.3%, or $0.22, from $1.42 reported in fiscal 2007 as a result of the factors discussed above.  Diluted earnings per share in fiscal 2008 reflects the absence of a $2.1 million pre-tax ($1.3 million net of tax) write-off of our minority equity investment in NanoProducts Corporation (NPC) that reduced fiscal 2007 diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.06.




CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

This "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", as well as disclosures included elsewhere in this Form 10-K, are based upon our audited consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingencies.  On an ongoing basis, we evaluate the estimates used, including those related to bad debt expense, warranty obligations, inventory valuation, valuation and classification of auction rate securities, impairment of long-lived assets and investments, business combinations, goodwill, other intangible assets, share-based compensation, income taxes and contingencies.  We base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources, as well as for identifying and assessing our accounting treatment with respect to commitments and contingencies.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  We believe the following critical accounting policies involve significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the potential inability of our customers to make required payments.  Our allowance for doubtful accounts is based on historical collection experience, adjusted for any specific known conditions or circumstances.  While historical experience may provide a reasonable estimate of uncollectible accounts, actual results may differ from what was recorded.  As of September 30, 2008, our allowance for doubtful accounts represented 1.0% of gross accounts receivable.  If we had increased our estimate of bad debts to 2.0% of gross accounts receivable, our general and administrative expenses would have increased by $0.4 million.

WARRANTY RESERVE

We maintain a warranty reserve that reflects management’s best estimate of the cost to replace product that does not meet customers’ specifications and performance requirements, and costs related to such replacement.  The warranty reserve is based upon a historical product replacement rate, adjusted for any specific known conditions or circumstances.  Should actual warranty costs differ substantially from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability may be required.  As of September 30, 2008, our warranty reserve represented 1.0% of the current quarter revenue.  If we had increased our warranty reserve estimate to 2.0% of the current quarter revenue, our cost of goods sold would have increased by $0.9 million.

INVENTORY VALUATION

We value inventory at the lower of cost or market and write down the value of inventory for estimated obsolescence or if inventory is deemed unmarketable.  An inventory reserve is maintained based upon a historical percentage of actual inventories written off applied against the inventory value at the end of the period, adjusted for known conditions and circumstances.  We exercise judgment in estimating the amount of inventory that is obsolete.  Should actual product marketability and fitness for use be affected by conditions that are different from those projected by management, revisions to the estimated inventory reserve may be required.  If we had increased our general reserve for obsolete inventory at September 30, 2008 by 10%, our cost of goods sold would have increased by $0.1 million.

VALUATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF AUCTION RATE SECURITIES

As of September 30, 2008, we owned two auction rate securities (ARS) with an estimated fair value of $8.2 million ($8.4 million par value) of which $5.0 million was classified as short term investments and $3.2 million was classified as other long-term assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  In general, ARS investments are securities with long-term nominal maturities for which interest rates are reset through a Dutch auction every seven to 35 days.  Historically, these periodic auctions provided a liquid market for these securities.  General uncertainties in the global credit markets during 2008 caused widespread ARS auction failures as the number of securities submitted for sale exceeded the number of securities buyers were willing to purchase.  As a result, the short-term liquidity of the ARS market has been adversely affected.
 
 

 
As discussed in Notes 3 and 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we have recorded a temporary impairment of $0.2 million, net of tax, in the value of one of our ARS in other comprehensive income and we have classified $3.2 million of ARS in other long-term assets.  The calculation of fair value and the balance sheet classification for our ARS requires critical judgments and estimates by management including an appropriate discount rate and the probability that a security may be monetized through a future successful auction or refinancing of the underlying debt.  We performed a discounted cash flow analysis using a discount rate based on a market index comprised of tax exempt variable rate demand obligations, and we applied a risk factor to reflect current liquidity issues in the ARS market.  We then assigned probabilities of holding each security for less than or equal to one year, five years, and to maturity to calculate a fair value for each security.  We also considered that we successfully monetized at par value all but two of the 15 ARS we owned as of February 2008, the time we experienced our first failed auction, as some of the subsequent auctions were successfully completed and some of the issuing municipalities refinanced their debt.  If auctions involving our remaining ARS continue to fail, if issuers of our ARS are unable to refinance the underlying securities, if underlying municipalities are unable to pay their debt obligations and the bond insurance fails, or if credit ratings decline or other adverse developments occur in the credit markets, then we may not be able to monetize our remaining securities in the short term and we may also be required to further adjust the carrying value of these instruments through an impairment charge that may be deemed other-than-temporary.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND INVESTMENTS

SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” (SFAS 144), requires us to assess the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired.  We must exercise judgment in assessing whether an event of impairment has occurred.  For purposes of recognition and measurement of an impairment loss, long-lived assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities.  We must exercise judgment in this grouping.  SFAS 144 requires that when the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from the identified asset group is less than the carrying value of the asset group, an impairment provision may be required.  The amount of the impairment to be recognized is calculated by subtracting the fair value of the asset group from the net book value of the asset group.  Determining future cash flows and estimating fair values require significant judgment and are highly susceptible to change from period to period because they require management to make assumptions about future sales and cost of sales generally over a long-term period.

We evaluate the estimated fair value of investments annually or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist, to determine if an other-than-temporary impairment in the value of the investment has taken place.

BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

In accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations”, we allocate the purchase price of acquired entities to the tangible and intangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and in-process research and development (IPR&D) based on their estimated fair values. We engage independent third-party appraisal firms to assist us in determining the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired. This valuation requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to long-lived and intangible assets.

Critical estimates in valuing certain of the intangible assets include but are not limited to: future expected cash flows related to acquired developed technologies and patents and assumptions about the period of time the technologies will continue to be used in the Company’s product portfolio; expected costs to develop the IPR&D into commercially viable products and estimated cash flows from the products when completed; and discount rates. Management’s estimates of value are based upon assumptions believed to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable.  Assumptions may be incomplete or inaccurate, and unanticipated events and circumstances may occur which may cause actual realized values to be different from management’s estimates.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Purchased intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives.  Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are tested annually in the fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist, using a fair-value-based approach.  Intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”.  We determined that goodwill and other intangible assets were not impaired as of September 30, 2008.



SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Effective October 1, 2005, we adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123R), which requires all share-based payments, including stock option grants, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards and discounts provided to employees on employee stock purchases, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values.  Under SFAS 123R, we calculate share-based compensation expense using the straight-line approach based on awards expected to ultimately vest, which requires the use of an estimated forfeiture rate.  Our estimated forfeiture rate is primarily based on historical experience, but may be revised in future periods if actual forfeitures differ from the estimate.  We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) to estimate grant date fair value, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the option’s expected term, the price volatility of the underlying stock and risk-free interest rate.  A small change in the underlying assumptions can have a relatively large effect on the estimated valuation.  Under SFAS 123R, we estimate expected volatility based on a combination of our stock’s historical volatility and the implied volatilities from actively-traded options on our stock.  We use the simplified method to calculate the expected term as discussed in Topic 14 of the Staff Accounting Bulletin Series, “Share-Based Payment”, due to our limited amount of historical option exercise data, and we add a slight premium to the expected term for employees who would meet the definition of retirement pursuant to terms of their grant agreements during the contractual term.  The simplified method uses an average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the option to calculate the expected term.  The risk-free rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

Prior to December 1, 2006, awards and grants made as part of our annual equity incentive award programs consisted solely of non-qualified stock option grants.  In fiscal 2007, the compensation committee of our Board of Directors decided to begin to award a blend of non-qualified stock options and shares of restricted stock to employees and non-employee directors as part of our annual equity incentive program.  This decision was made to address the financial impact of expensing equity-based compensation under the rules of SFAS 123R, as well as to provide a more competitive balance of equity incentives for employees and non-employee directors.

ACCOUNTING FOR INCOME TAXES

We account for income taxes in accordance with SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” (SFAS 109), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities.  SFAS 109 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that a portion of the deferred tax asset will not be realized.  We have determined that it is more likely than not that our future taxable income will be sufficient to realize our deferred tax assets.  Significant changes to the estimates and judgments that support the calculation of deferred tax assets and liabilities may result in an increase or decrease to our tax provision in a subsequent period.

On October 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109” (FIN 48).  Among other things, FIN 48 provides a “more-likely-than-not” threshold for the recognition and derecognition of uncertain tax positions, provides guidance on the accounting for interest and penalties relating to tax positions and requires the cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN 48 to be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings or other appropriate components of equity or net assets in the statement of financial position.  The evaluation of uncertain tax positions is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit, new audit activity and changes in facts or circumstances surrounding a tax position.  We evaluate these tax positions on a quarterly basis.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

We have entered into certain unconditional purchase obligations, which include noncancelable purchase commitments and take-or-pay arrangements with suppliers.  We review our agreements on a quarterly basis and make an assessment of the likelihood of a shortfall in purchases and determine if it is necessary to record a liability.  In addition, we are subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business such as a legal proceeding or claim.  An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated.  We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether such accruals should be adjusted and whether new accruals are required.

 

 
EFFECTS OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

See Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of recent accounting pronouncements including the expected dates of adoption and effects on our results of operations, financial position and cash flows.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of revenue of certain line items included in our historical statements of income:

   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Revenue
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of goods sold
    53.5       52.7       53.5  
Gross profit
    46.5       47.3       46.5  
                         
Research, development and technical
    13.1       14.8       15.0  
Selling and marketing
    7.5       7.2       6.6  
General and administrative
    12.7       11.8       10.7  
Purchased in-process research and development
    -       -       0.3  
Operating income
    13.2       13.5       13.8  
Other income, net
    1.4       1.1       1.3  
Income before income taxes
    14.6       14.6       15.1  
Provision for income taxes
    4.4       4.6       4.9  
                         
Net income
    10.2 %     10.0 %     10.3 %


YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008, VERSUS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

REVENUE

Revenue was $375.1 million in fiscal 2008, which represented an increase of 10.9%, or $36.9 million, from fiscal 2007.  Of this increase, $17.2 million was due to increased sales volume including increased contribution from our polishing pad business, $15.2 million was due to a higher weighted average selling price for our CMP consumable products, resulting from a higher-priced product mix, and $4.5 million was due to the effect of foreign exchange rate changes.  Our polishing pad business represented $14.6 million of the revenue growth in fiscal 2008 as we won new business by gaining additional customer adoptions of our pads.

The continued weakening of the U.S. and global economy and the recent volatility in the capital and credit markets appears to have negatively impacted end user demand for IC devices, which, in turn, has led to a reduction in the number of wafer starts in the semiconductor industry.  We believe the reduction in wafer starts will negatively impact the demand and revenue associated with our traditional CMP slurry products in fiscal 2009.  However, we believe that growth opportunities in polishing pads, ESF and slurry products for advanced dielectric and barrier applications may be able to partially offset a reduction in demand due to the economic downturn.




COST OF GOODS SOLD

Total cost of goods sold was $200.6 million in fiscal 2008, which represented an increase of 12.6%, or $22.4 million, from fiscal 2007.  Of this increase, $9.1 million was due to increased sales volume, $9.0 million was due to increased fixed manufacturing costs, primarily in our pad business, $5.3 million was due to lower manufacturing yields, particularly in our pad business, $5.1 million was due to the effects of foreign exchange rate changes, $2.2 million was due to certain other manufacturing variances and $1.5 million was due to increased freight, packaging and other costs.  These increases were partially offset by a $7.5 million benefit of higher utilization of our manufacturing capacity on the increased sales volume and by a $2.3 million benefit of a lower-cost product mix.

Fumed metal oxides, such as fumed silica and fumed alumina, are significant raw materials that we use in many of our CMP slurries.  In an effort to mitigate our risk to rising raw material costs and to increase supply assurance and quality performance requirements, we have entered into multi-year supply agreements with a number of suppliers.  For more financial information about our supply contracts, see “Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Form 10-K.

Our need for additional quantities or different kinds of key raw materials in the future has required, and will continue to require, that we enter into new supply arrangements with third parties.  Future arrangements may result in costs which are different from those in the existing agreements.  In addition, rising energy costs and general inflation may also impact the cost of raw materials, packaging, freight and labor costs.  We also expect to continue to invest in our operations excellence initiative to improve product quality, reduce variability and improve product yields in our manufacturing process.


GROSS PROFIT

Our gross profit as a percentage of revenue was 46.5% in fiscal 2008 as compared to 47.3% for fiscal 2007.  The decrease in gross profit expressed as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to higher fixed production costs and lower manufacturing yields, both primarily associated with our pad business, and higher manufacturing variances partially offset by a favorable product mix and higher utilization of our manufacturing capacity on the increased volume of sales in fiscal 2008.  The manufacturing yields in our pad business improved over the course of fiscal 2008, but we expect the yields in this business may continue to fluctuate as we optimize our manufacturing process.  We expect to maintain our gross profit as a percentage of revenue in the range of 46% to 48% for full fiscal year 2009.  Quarterly gross profit may be above or below this range due to fluctuations in our product mix or other factors.


RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL

Total research, development and technical expenses were $49.2 million in fiscal 2008, which represented a decrease of 1.6%, or $0.8 million, from fiscal 2007.  The decrease was primarily due to $0.7 million in lower clean room materials and laboratory supplies and $0.5 million in lower professional fees partially offset by $0.2 million in higher staffing related costs and $0.2 million in increased depreciation expense.

Our research, development and technical efforts are focused on the following main areas:

·  
Research related to fundamental CMP technology;
·  
Development and formulation of new and enhanced CMP consumable products;
·  
Process development to support rapid and effective commercialization of new products;
·  
Technical support of CMP products in our customers’ manufacturing facilities; and
·  
Evaluation of new polishing applications outside of the semiconductor industry.




 
SELLING AND MARKETING

Selling and marketing expenses were $28.3 million in fiscal 2008, which represented an increase of 16.3%, or $4.0 million, from fiscal 2007.  The increase was primarily due to $2.3 million in higher staffing related costs, including employee separation costs, $0.6 million in increased professional fees, $0.3 million in higher travel related costs and $0.3 million in higher depreciation expense.


GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

General and administrative expenses were $47.6 million in fiscal 2008, which represented an increase of 19.2%, or $7.7 million, from fiscal 2007.   The increase resulted primarily from $5.3 million in higher professional fees, including costs to enforce our intellectual property, and $2.3 million in higher staffing related costs.  See Part I, Item 3 entitled “Legal Proceedings” and Note 16 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the enforcement of our intellectual property.


OTHER INCOME, NET

Other income was $5.4 million in fiscal 2008 compared to $3.6 million in fiscal 2007.  The increase was primarily due to the absence of a $2.1 million pre-tax impairment of our equity investment in NPC and the absence of $0.4 million of other expense related to our investment in NPC.  This increase was partially offset by a $0.6 million decrease in interest income as we monetized the majority of our short-term investments in ARS during fiscal 2008 and reinvested these funds into money market investments which earn interest at lower rates.  See Note 3 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on our short-term investments.


PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

Our effective income tax rate was 30.2% in fiscal 2008 compared to 31.5% in fiscal 2007.  The decrease in the effective tax rate in fiscal 2008 was primarily due to increased research and experimentation tax credits and reduced tax expense related to share-based compensation, partially offset by lower tax-exempt interest income.  We expect our effective tax rate in fiscal 2009 to be approximately 32 percent.


NET INCOME

Net income was $38.3 million in fiscal 2008, which represented an increase of 13.3%, or $4.5 million, from fiscal 2007 as a result of the factors discussed above.



YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007, VERSUS YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006

REVENUE

Revenue was $338.2 million in fiscal 2007, which represented an increase of 5.4%, or $17.4 million, from fiscal 2006.  Of this increase, $12.6 million was contributed by our QED Technologies, Inc. (QED) subsidiary, as fiscal 2007 was the first full year we owned QED, and $6.2 million was due to a higher average selling price for our slurry products.  These increases were partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease due to reduced sales volume in our core CMP business.  The higher average selling price for our slurry products resulted primarily from a higher-priced product mix.




COST OF GOODS SOLD

Total cost of goods sold was $178.2 million in fiscal 2007, which represented an increase of 3.8%, or $6.5 million, from fiscal 2006.  Of this increase, $6.2 million was related to QED and $1.0 million was due to an increase in the average cost per unit of our slurry products.  These increases were partially offset by a $0.7 million decrease due to reduced sales volume in our core CMP business.  The higher average unit cost resulted primarily from lower utilization of our manufacturing capacity due to the lower level of sales, primarily during the first half of the fiscal year, and higher fixed costs, partially offset by improvements in productivity and quality as well as benefits of a lower-cost product mix.


GROSS PROFIT

Our gross profit as a percentage of revenue was 47.3% in fiscal 2007 and improved 80 basis points from the level achieved in fiscal 2006.  The increase in gross profit expressed as a percentage of revenue resulted primarily from a higher-valued product mix and improvements in productivity and quality.  This was partially offset by lower utilization of our manufacturing capacity due to the lower level of sales of our core CMP products, primarily in the first half of the fiscal year, as well as higher fixed costs.


RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL

Total research, development and technical expenses were $50.0 million in fiscal 2007, which represented an increase of 4.0%, or $1.9 million, from fiscal 2006.  The increase was primarily due to increased staffing related costs of $1.8 million, largely resulting from the inclusion of QED for a full year in fiscal 2007, increased depreciation and amortization costs of $0.6 million, principally related to our data storage laboratory in Singapore and our Asia Pacific technology center in Japan, and increased professional fees of $0.3 million.  These increases were partially offset by a decrease in spending on wafers and laboratory supplies of $0.9 million.


SELLING AND MARKETING

Selling and marketing expenses were $24.3 million in fiscal 2007, which represented an increase of 15.1%, or $3.2 million, from fiscal 2006.  The increase resulted primarily from higher staffing costs of $2.4 million, largely resulting from the inclusion of QED as well as expanding our presence in Asia.  There were also smaller increases in costs for travel, professional fees and depreciation and amortization.


GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

General and administrative expenses were $39.9 million in fiscal 2007, which represented an increase of 16.4%, or $5.6 million, from fiscal 2006.   The increase resulted primarily from $3.3 million in higher staffing costs, including $1.8 million in share-based compensation expense, and a $2.8 million increase in professional fees, including costs to enforce our intellectual property.


PURCHASED IN-PROCESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

We incurred no IPR&D expenses in fiscal 2007 compared to $1.1 million in fiscal 2006, since we did not make any acquisitions in fiscal 2007.




OTHER INCOME, NET

Other income was $3.6 million in fiscal 2007 compared to $4.1 million in fiscal 2006.  The decrease was primarily due to a $2.1 million impairment of our equity investment in NPC, following a decision to not renew a collaboration agreement.  This decrease was partially offset by an increase of $0.7 million in interest income on our cash and short-term investments, mostly due to higher interest rates, a decrease in interest expense of $0.2 million related to capital leases, and the absence of $0.6 million of expenses related to our investment in NPC that we recognized in fiscal 2006 that did not recur in fiscal 2007.


PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

Our effective income tax rate was 31.5% in fiscal 2007 compared to 32.1% in fiscal 2006.  The decrease in the effective tax rate in fiscal 2007 was primarily due to higher tax-exempt interest income and increased research and experimentation tax credits.


NET INCOME

Net income was $33.8 million in fiscal 2007, which represented an increase of 2.7%, or $0.9 million, from fiscal 2006 as a result of the factors discussed above.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

We had cash flows from operating activities of $70.8 million in fiscal 2008, $64.6 million in fiscal 2007 and $58.7 million in fiscal 2006.  Our cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2008 originated from $38.3 million in net income and $33.9 million in non-cash items, partially offset by a $1.4 million decrease in cash flow due to a net increase in working capital.  Cash provided by operating activities in fiscal 2008 increased $6.2 million from fiscal 2007 primarily due to increased net income in fiscal 2008, higher non-cash expenses related to depreciation and share-based compensation and improved collections of accounts receivable, partially offset by a general increase in our inventory levels and the absence of a $2.1 million non-cash write-off of our investment in NPC that occurred in fiscal 2007.

Fiscal 2008 cash flows provided by investing activities were $130.3 million.  Net sales of short-term investments were $149.5 million as we monetized the majority of our ARS during fiscal 2008 (as discussed below).  This cash inflow was partially offset by $19.2 million in cash used for purchases of property, plant and equipment primarily for the purchase and installation of a 300-millimeter polishing tool and related metrology equipment for our Asia Pacific technology center and building improvements and equipment to increase our pad production capabilities.  In fiscal 2007, cash used in investing activities was $62.3 million.  We used $47.0 million for net purchases of short-term investments.  Purchases of property, plant and equipment, including the expansion of our pad manufacturing capabilities in the U.S. and Taiwan as well as purchases for QED, were $10.0 million.  We also used $3.0 million to acquire a license of patents and we paid $2.5 million for the earnout payment to the prior owners of QED, related to its revenue performance during the 12 months following our acquisition.  See Note 6 and Note 7 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on business combinations and intangible assets.  In fiscal 2006, cash flows used in investing activities were $32.4 million, which included $22.2 million for purchases of property, plant and equipment, primarily for the construction of our Asia Pacific technology center and for projects in our manufacturing operations.  We also completed two acquisitions during fiscal 2006 for a total of $20.9 million, net of cash acquired.  In addition, we used $5.0 million to acquire patents and associated rights relating to CMP slurry technology.  Finally, $15.7 million was provided by net sales of short-term investments.  We estimate that our total capital expenditures in fiscal 2009 will be approximately $13.0 million.

In fiscal 2008, cash flows used in financing activities were $35.2 million.  We used $39.0 million to repurchase common stock under our share repurchase programs and we made $1.1 million in principal payments under capital lease obligations.  These cash outflows were partially offset by $4.9 million received from the issuance of common stock related to the exercise of stock options under our Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated September 23, 2008, and shares issued under our Cabot Microelectronics Employee Stock Purchase Plan.  In fiscal 2007, cash flows used in financing activities were $3.2 million.  This resulted from $10.0 million in purchases of common stock under our share repurchase program and $1.0 million in principal payments under capital lease obligations, partially offset by $7.8 million in net proceeds from the issuance of stock, primarily from the exercise of stock options.  In fiscal 2006, cash flows used in financing activities were $15.6 million, primarily as a result of $16.0 million in repurchases of common stock under our share repurchase program and $0.9 million in principal payments under capital lease obligations.  These outflows were partially offset by $1.4 million from the issuance of common stock, primarily associated with our Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
 
 

 
During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we completed a share repurchase program that was authorized by our Board of Directors in October 2005 for up to $40.0 million.  In January 2008, the Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program for up to $75.0 million of our outstanding common stock.  Shares are repurchased from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market transactions, at management’s discretion.  We fund share repurchases from our existing cash balance.  We view the program as a flexible and effective means to return cash to stockholders.  The program became effective on the authorization date and may be suspended or terminated at any time, at the Company’s discretion.  There was $50.0 million remaining on this authorization as of September 30, 2008.

We have an unsecured revolving credit facility of $50.0 million with an option to increase the facility to $80.0 million.  Under this agreement, which was set to terminate in November 2008, interest accrues on any outstanding balance at either the lending institution’s base rate or the Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin.  We also pay a non-use fee.  In October 2008, we amended this agreement to extend the termination date until November 2011, with an option to renew for two additional one-year terms.  The amendment did not include any other material changes to the terms of the credit agreement.  Loans under this facility are intended primarily for general corporate purposes, including financing working capital and capital expenditures.  The credit agreement also contains various covenants.  No amounts are currently outstanding under this credit facility and we believe we are currently in compliance with the covenants.

At September 30, 2008, we owned two ARS with an estimated fair value of $8.2 million ($8.4 million par value) of which $5.0 million was classified as short-term investments and $3.2 million was classified as other long-term assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  Our ARS investments consisted of tax exempt municipal debt obligations which have experienced failed auctions since February 2008.  Despite the failed auctions, there have been no defaults on the underlying securities and interest income on these holdings continues to be received on scheduled interest payment dates.  As discussed in Notes 3 and 8 in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, we recorded a $0.2 million pretax and net of tax reduction in stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income to reflect a temporary decline in fair value.  We successfully monetized at par value the majority of ARS we owned in fiscal 2008 and reinvested these funds in money market accounts.  Based on our $221.5 million cash balance as of September 30, 2008, our positive cash flow and our available debt capacity, we do not have any immediate needs for additional liquidity and we currently do not plan to enter any secondary ARS market to monetize our remaining ARS.  We believe it is likely that one of our ARS will be monetized within the next operating cycle (which for us is generally one year) as the municipal bond issuer will be motivated to refinance its debt when credit markets improve due to higher interest rates being paid as auctions fail.

The recent capital and credit market crisis has adversely affected the U.S. and global economy.  Despite this crisis, we believe that cash generated by our operations and available borrowings under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund our operations, expected capital expenditures, including any merger and acquisition activities, and share repurchases for the foreseeable future.  However, we plan to expand our business and continue to improve our technology, and to do so may require us to raise additional funds in the future through equity or debt financing, strategic relationships or other arrangements.  The uncertainty in the capital and credit markets may hinder the ability to generate additional financing in the type or amount necessary to pursue such objectives.


OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

At September 30, 2008 and 2007, we did not have any unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which might have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements.




TABULAR DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following summarizes our contractual obligations at September 30, 2008, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods.


CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
       
Less Than
      1-3       3-5    
After 5
 
(In millions)
 
Total
   
1 Year
   
Years
   
Years
   
Years
 
                                   
Capital lease obligations
  $ 3.6     $ 1.1     $ 2.5     $ -     $ -  
Operating leases
    2.5       1.4       1.1       -       -  
Purchase obligations
    32.4       28.2       3.9       0.3       -  
Other long-term liabilities
    2.9       -       -       -       2.9  
Total contractual obligations
  $ 41.4     $ 30.7     $ 7.5     $ 0.3     $ 2.9  


CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

In December 2001, we entered into a fumed alumina supply agreement with Cabot Corporation under which we agreed to pay Cabot Corporation for the expansion of a fumed alumina manufacturing facility in Tuscola, Illinois.  The payments for the facility have been treated as a capital lease for accounting purposes and the present value of the minimum quarterly payments resulted in an initial $9.8 million lease obligation and related leased asset.  The initial term of the agreement expired in December 2006, but it was renewed for another five-year term ending in December 2011.

OPERATING LEASES

We lease certain vehicles, warehouse facilities, office space, machinery and equipment under cancelable and noncancelable operating leases, most of which expire within ten years of their respective commencement dates and may be renewed by us.

PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS

We have entered into multi-year supply agreements with Cabot Corporation for the purchase of fumed metal oxides.  We purchase fumed silica primarily under a fumed silica supply agreement with Cabot Corporation that became effective in January 2004, and was amended in September 2006 and in April 2008, the latter of which extended the termination date of the agreement from December 2009 to December 2012 and also changed the pricing and some other non-material terms of the agreement to the benefit of both parties.  The agreement will automatically renew unless either party gives certain notice of non-renewal.  We are generally obligated to purchase fumed silica for at least 90% of our six-month volume forecast for certain of our slurry products, to purchase certain non-material minimum quantities every six months, and to pay for the shortfall if we purchase less than these amounts.  We currently anticipate meeting all minimum forecasted purchase volume requirements.  Since December 2001, we have purchased fumed alumina primarily under a fumed alumina supply agreement with Cabot Corporation that has an original term ending in December 2006 and was renewed for another five-year term ending in December 2011.  Prices charged for fumed alumina from Cabot Corporation are pursuant to the terms of the supply agreement and may fluctuate based upon the actual costs incurred by Cabot Corporation in the manufacture of fumed alumina.  Under these agreements, Cabot Corporation continues to be the exclusive supplier of certain quantities and types of fumed silica and fumed alumina for certain products we produced as of the effective dates of these agreements.  Subject to certain terms, these agreements prohibit Cabot Corporation from selling certain types of fumed silica and fumed alumina to third parties for use in CMP applications, as well as engaging itself in CMP applications.  If Cabot Corporation fails to supply us with our requirements for any reason, including if we require product specification changes that Cabot Corporation cannot meet, we have the right to purchase products meeting those specifications from other suppliers.  We also may purchase fumed alumina and fumed silica from other suppliers for certain products, including those commercialized after certain dates related to these agreements and their amendments.  Purchase obligations include an aggregate amount of $14.9 million of contractual commitments related to our Cabot Corporation agreements for fumed silica and fumed alumina.

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

Other long-term liabilities at September 30, 2008 consist of liabilities related to our Japan retirement allowance and our liability for uncertain tax positions.

Our contractual obligations at September 30, 2007 included $2.0 million in contingent payments related to a possible second earnout payment resulting from our acquisition of substantially all of the assets of QED Technologies, Inc. (QED) in July 2006.  The QED business has not met the revenue performance required to earn this $2.0 million payment.  Consequently, we no longer have any contractual obligation related to this acquisition.

 

 
ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

EFFECT OF CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES AND EXCHANGE RATE RISK MANAGEMENT

We conduct business operations outside of the United States through our foreign operations.  Some of our foreign operations maintain their accounting records in their local currencies.  Consequently, period to period comparability of results of operations is affected by fluctuations in exchange rates.  The primary currencies to which we have exposure are the Japanese Yen and, to a lesser extent, the British Pound and the Euro.  From time to time we enter into forward contracts in an effort to manage foreign currency exchange exposure.  However, we may be unable to hedge these exposures completely.  Approximately 13% of our revenue is transacted in currencies other than the U.S. dollar.  We do not currently enter into forward exchange contracts or other derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.

MARKET RISK AND SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS RELATED TO FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE RISK

We have performed a sensitivity analysis assuming a hypothetical 10% adverse movement in foreign exchange rates.  As of September 30, 2008, the analysis demonstrated that such market movements would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows over a one-year period.  Actual gains and losses in the future may differ materially from this analysis based on changes in the timing and amount of foreign currency rate movements and our actual exposures.

MARKET RISK RELATED TO INVESTMENTS IN AUCTION RATE SECURITIES

At September 30, 2008, we owned two auction rate securities (ARS) with a total estimated fair value of $8.2 million ($8.4 million par value) of which $5.0 million was classified as short-term investments and $3.2 million was classified as other long-term assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet.  In general, ARS investments are securities with long-term nominal maturities for which interest rates are reset through a Dutch auction every seven to 35 days.  Historically, these periodic auctions have provided a liquid market for these securities.  General uncertainties in the global credit markets caused widespread ARS auction failures as the number of securities submitted for sale exceeded the number of securities buyers were willing to purchase.  As a result, the short-term liquidity of the ARS market has been adversely affected.

In fiscal 2008, we recorded a $0.2 million pre-tax and net of tax reduction in stockholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income to reflect a decline in fair value of our ARS which we believed was temporary.  We believe that we will be able to monetize the remaining two securities at par, either through successful auctions, refinancing of the underlying debt by the issuers, or holding the securities to maturity.  However, if auctions involving our ARS continue to fail, if issuers of our ARS are unable to refinance the underlying securities, if the issuing municipalities are unable to pay debt obligations and the bond insurance fails, or if credit ratings decline or other adverse developments occur in the credit markets, then we may not be able to monetize these securities in the short term and we may also be required to further adjust the carrying value of these instruments through an impairment charge that may be deemed other-than-temporary.  See Notes 3 and 8 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and the “Risk Factors” set forth in Part I, Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for more information.




ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE


   
Page
Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
38
 
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006
39
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2008 and 2007
40
 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006
41
 
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006
42
 
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
43
 
Selected Quarterly Operating Results
66

Financial Statement Schedule:
 
 
Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
67

All other schedules are omitted, because they are not required, are not applicable, or the information is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.




Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation:

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation and its subsidiaries at September 30, 2008 and 2007, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended September 30, 2008 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.  Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A.  Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements, on the financial statement schedule, and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits.  We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audits of the financial statements include examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk.  Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

As discussed in Notes 2 and 15 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation (FIN) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” on October 1, 2007.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.  A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, IL
November 25, 2008




CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

   
Year Ended September 30,
   
 
         
   
  2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                         
Revenue
  $ 375,069     $ 338,205     $ 320,795  
                           
Cost of goods sold
    200,596       178,224       171,758  
                           
Gross profit
    174,473       159,981       149,037  
                           
Operating expenses:
                         
Research, development and technical
    49,155       49,970       48,070  
Selling and marketing
    28,281       24,310       21,115  
General and administrative
    47,595       39,933       34,319  
Purchased in-process research and development
    -       -       1,120  
    Total operating expenses
    125,031       114,213       104,624  
                           
Operating income
    49,442       45,768       44,413  
                           
Other income, net
    5,448       3,606       4,111  
Income before income taxes
    54,890       49,374       48,524  
                           
Provision for income taxes
    16,552       15,538       15,576  
                           
    Net income
  $ 38,338     $ 33,836     $ 32,948  
                           
Basic earnings per share
  $ 1.64     $ 1.42     $ 1.36  
                           
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
    23,315       23,748       24,228  
                           
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 1.64     $ 1.42     $ 1.36  
                           
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
    23,348       23,754       24,228  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)
   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 221,467     $ 54,557  
Short-term investments
    4,950       157,915  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $403 at September 30, 2008, and $635 at September 30, 2007
    41,630       52,302  
Inventories
    47,466       37,266  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    10,714       5,853  
Deferred income taxes
    4,365       2,861  
Total current assets
    330,592       310,754  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, net
    115,843       118,454  
Goodwill
    7,069       7,069  
Other intangible assets, net
    8,712       11,549  
Deferred income taxes
    11,178       6,686  
Other long-term assets
    4,043       617  
Total assets
  $ 477,437     $ 455,129  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 13,885     $ 15,859  
Capital lease obligations
    1,129       1,066  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
    22,787       19,638  
Total current liabilities
    37,801       36,563  
                 
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion
    2,518       3,608  
Other long-term liabilities
    2,885       1,754  
Total liabilities
    43,204       41,925  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
               
                 
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Common stock:
               
Authorized: 200,000,000 shares, $0.001 par value
               
Issued: 25,906,990 shares at September 30, 2008, and 25,635,730 shares at September 30, 2007
    26       24  
Capital in excess of par value of common stock
    198,022       178,068  
Retained earnings
    323,122       284,843  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    3,054       1,259  
Treasury stock at cost, 2,683,809 shares at September 30, 2008, and 1,627,337 shares at September 30, 2007
    (89,991     (50,990
Total stockholders’ equity
    434,233       413,204  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 477,437     $ 455,129  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.


CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
 
Year Ended September 30,
 
 2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Cash flows from operating activities:                      
Net income
$ 38,338     $ 33,836     $ 32,948  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
                     
Depreciation and amortization
  25,951       24,170       21,174  
Purchased in-process research and development
  -       -       1,120  
Impairment of investment
  -       2,052       -  
Loss on equity investment
  -       -       566  
Share-based compensation expense
  15,067       12,846       10,664  
Deferred income tax benefit
  (5,894 )     (5,708 )     (5,571 )
Non-cash foreign exchange (gain) loss
  (2,592 )     (539 )     2,606  
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
  598       237       1,109  
Impairment of property, plant and equipment
  4       52       790  
Other
  782       (482 )     (1,081 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
                     
Accounts receivable
  11,849       (3,437 )     (8,492 )
Inventories
  (9,268 )     3,658       (5,635 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
  (4,921 )     (525 )     1,726  
Accounts payable
  (2,472 )     1,170       3,031  
Accrued expenses, income taxes payable and other liabilities
  3,397       (2,696 )     3,713  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  70,839       64,634       58,668  
                       
Cash flows from investing activities:
                     
Additions to property, plant and equipment
  (19,232 )     (10,013 )     (22,230 )
Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment
  42       172       19  
Acquisitions of businesses including earnout payment, net of cash acquired
  -       (2,500 )     (20,919 )
Acquisition of patent license
  -       (3,000 )     -  
Purchase of patents
  -       -       (5,000 )
Purchases of short-term investments
  (233,775 )     (155,175 )     (185,655 )
    Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments
  383,290       108,225       201,392  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
  130,325       (62,291 )     (32,393 )
                       
Cash flows from financing activities:
                     
Repurchases of common stock
  (39,001 )     (9,995 )     (15,996 )
Net proceeds from issuance of stock
  4,889       7,759       1,359  
Principal payments under capital lease obligations
  (1,072 )     (999 )     (933 )
Net cash used in financing activities
  (35,184 )     (3,235 )     (15,570 )
                       
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
  930       484       (176 )
Increase (decrease) in cash
  166,910       (408 )     10,529  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year
  54,557       54,965       44,436  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year
$ 221,467     $ 54,557     $ 54,965  
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
Cash paid for income taxes
$ 26,459     $ 22,657     $ 21,745  
Cash paid for interest
$ 420     $ 468     $ 658  
   
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
 
Purchases of property, plant and equipment in accrued  liabilities and accounts payable at the end of period
$ 391     $ 419     $ 968  
Issuance of restricted stock
$ 4,850     $ 4,792     $ 63  
Assets acquired under capital lease
$ 44     $ -     $ -  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.




CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands)
 
 
  Common
Stock
 
Capital
In Excess
Of Par
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Comprehensive
Income
(net of tax)
 
Unearned
Compensation
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Total
 
Balance at September 30, 2005
    $
24
    $
145,011
    $
218,059
    $
1,160
          $
(171
)
  $
(24,999
  $
339,084
 
                                                   
Reclassification of unearned compensation upon adoption of SFAS 123R
         
(171
                    171           
-
 
Reclassification of director's deferred compensation upon adoption of SFAS 123R 
         
600
                                 
600
 
Issuance of Cabot Microelectronics restricted stock under deposit share plan
         
137
                     
 
 
       
137
 
Issuance of Cabot Microelectronics stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan
         
1,222
 
                   
 
         
1,222
 
Share-based compensation expense
           10,664                      
 
 
       
10,664
 
Repurchases of common stock, at cost
                                       
(15,996
)
 
(15,996
)
Net income
               
32,948
       
$
32,948
                   
Net unrealized gain on derivative intruments
                     
36
 
 
36
 
                 
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                     
(924
 
(924
                 
Total comprehensive income
                         
$
32,060
               
32,060
 
                                                   
Balance at September 30, 2006
 
$
24
 
$
157,463
 
$
251,007
 
$
272
       
$
-
 
$
(40,995
)
$
367,771
 
                                                   
Issuance of Cabot Microelectronics restricted stock under deposit share plan
         
176
                     
 
 
       
176
 
Issuance of Cabot Microelectronics stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan
         
1,459
 
                   
 
         
1,459
 
Share-based compensation expense
           12,846                      
 
 
       
12,846
 
Exercise of stock options
         
6,124
                                 
6,124
 
Repurchases of common stock, at cost
                                        (9,995   (9,995
Net income
               
33,836
       
$
33,836
                   
Net unrealized gain on derivative intruments
                     
35
   
35
                   
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                     
1,416
 
 
1,416
 
                 
Total comprehensive income
                         
$
35,287
               
35,287
 
SFAS 158 transition adjustment                         (464                      (464
                                                   
Balance at September 30, 2007
 
$
24
 
$
178,068
 
$
284,843
 
$
1,259
       
$
-
 
$
(50,990
)
$
413,204
 
                                                   
Issuance of Cabot Microelectronics restricted stock under deposit share plan
         
165
 
                   
 
         
165
 
Issuance of Cabot Microelectronics stock under Employee Stock Purchase Plan
         
1,596
                                 
1,596
 
Share-based compensation expense
         
15,067
                                 
15,067
 
Exercise of stock options
    2    
3,126
                                 
3,128
 
Repurchases of common stock, at cost
                                       
(39,001
)
 
(39,001
)
Net income
               
38,338
        $
38,338
                   
Net unrealized gain on derivative intruments
                     
35
   
35
                   
Foreign currency translation adjustment
                     
2,306
 
 
2,306
 
                 
 Unrealized loss on investments                       (151 )     (151                  
 Minimum pension liability adjustment                       (395 )     (395 )                    
Total comprehensive income
                         
$
40,133
               
40,133
 
 Cumulative effct of adoption of FIN 48                 (59                            (59
                                                   
Balance at September 30, 2008
 
$
26
 
$
198,022
 
$
323,122
 
$
3,054
       
$
-
 
$
(89,991
)
$
434,233
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.



CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

1. BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Cabot Microelectronics Corporation ("Cabot Microelectronics'', "the Company'', "us'', "we'' or "our'') supplies high-performance polishing slurries used in the manufacture of advanced integrated circuit (IC) devices within the semiconductor industry, in a process called chemical mechanical planarization (CMP).  CMP polishes surfaces at an atomic level, thereby enabling IC device manufacturers to produce smaller, faster and more complex IC devices with fewer defects.  We believe we are the world’s leading supplier of CMP slurries for IC devices.  We also develop, manufacture and sell CMP slurries for polishing certain components in hard disk drives, specifically rigid disk substrates and magnetic heads, and we believe we are one of the leading suppliers in this area.  In addition, we develop, produce and sell CMP polishing pads, which are used in conjunction with slurries in the CMP process.  We also pursue a variety of surface modification applications outside of the semiconductor and hard disk drive industries for which our capabilities and knowledge may provide previously unseen surface performance or improved productivity.

The audited consolidated financial statements have been prepared by us pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  We operate predominantly in one industry segment - the development, manufacture, and sale of CMP consumables.  Certain reclassifications of prior fiscal year amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation.


2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cabot Microelectronics and its subsidiaries.  All material intercompany transactions and balances between the companies have been eliminated as of September 30, 2008.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  The accounting estimates that require management’s most difficult and subjective judgments include, but are not limited to, those estimates related to bad debt expense, warranty obligations, inventory valuation, valuation and classification of auction rate securities, impairment of long-lived assets and investments, business combinations, goodwill, other intangible assets, share-based compensation, income taxes and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience, current conditions and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances.  However, future events are subject to change and estimates and judgments routinely require adjustment.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

We consider investments in all highly liquid financial instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.  Short-term investments include securities generally having maturities of 90 days to one year.  As of September 30, 2008, we held $4,950 of short-term investments which are classified as available-for-sale securities.  See Note 3 for a more detailed discussion of short-term investments.


 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest.  We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the potential inability of our customers to make required payments.  Our allowance for doubtful accounts is based on historical collection experience, adjusted for any specific known conditions or circumstances.  Uncollectable account balances are charged against the allowance when we believe that it is probable that the receivable will not be recovered.  See Schedule II under Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K for more information on our allowance for doubtful accounts.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK

Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable.  We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers' financial conditions and generally do not require collateral to secure accounts receivable.  Our exposure to credit risk associated with nonpayment is affected principally by conditions or occurrences within the semiconductor industry and global economy.  We historically have not experienced material losses relating to accounts receivables from individual customers or groups of customers.

The portions of revenue from customers who represented more than 10% of revenue were as follows:

 
             Year Ended September 30,
       
 
2008
2007
2006
       
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC)
17%
17%
10%
Marketech
7%
7%
19%

In April 2006 we began selling products directly to customers in Taiwan, rather than through Marketech, an independent distributor.  We continue to use Marketech as a distributor in China.  Prior to April 2006, we sold product to TSMC through Marketech.

TSMC accounted for 8.0% and 14.3% of net accounts receivable at September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The recorded amounts of cash, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to their short-term, highly liquid characteristics.  The fair value of our long-term auction rate securities (ARS) is determined through a discounted cash flow analysis using a discount rate based on a market index comprised of tax exempt variable rate demand obligations, adding a risk factor to reflect current liquidity issues in the ARS market.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis, or market.  Finished goods and work in process inventories include material, labor and manufacturing overhead costs.  We regularly review and write down the value of inventory as required for estimated obsolescence or unmarketability.  An inventory reserve is maintained based upon a historical percentage of actual inventories written off applied against inventory value at the end of the period, adjusted for known conditions and circumstances.



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost.  Depreciation is based on the following estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method:

Buildings
15-25 years
Machinery and equipment
3-10 years
Furniture and fixtures
5-10 years
Information systems
3-5 years
Assets under capital leases
Term of lease or estimated useful life

Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred.  Expenditures for major renewals and betterments are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful lives.  As assets are retired or sold, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is included in the results of operations.  Costs related to internal use software are capitalized in accordance with American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Statement of Position No. 98-1, “Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use”.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS

Reviews are regularly performed to determine whether facts and circumstances exist that indicate the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable or the useful life is shorter than originally estimated.  Asset recoverability assessment begins by comparing the projected undiscounted cash flows associated with the related asset or group of assets over their remaining lives against their respective carrying amounts.  Impairment, if any, is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets.  If assets are determined to be recoverable, but their useful lives are shorter than originally estimated, the net book value of the asset is depreciated over the newly determined remaining useful life.

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141, “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141), and SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets", intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from two to ten years.  Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are tested annually in the fourth fiscal quarter or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist, using a fair-value-based approach.  Intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment in accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”.  Goodwill impairment testing requires a comparison of the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying value.  If the carrying value exceeds fair value, goodwill is considered impaired.  The amount of the impairment is the difference between the carrying value of goodwill and the “implied” fair value.  Impairment testing for intangible assets with indefinite lives requires a comparison between the fair value and the carrying value of the assets.  Fair values are primarily determined using discounted cash flow analyses.  We determined that goodwill and other intangible assets were not impaired as of September 30, 2008.

WARRANTY RESERVE

We maintain a warranty reserve that reflects management’s best estimate of the cost to replace product that does not meet customers’ specifications and performance requirements.  The warranty reserve is based upon a historical product return rate, adjusted for any specific known conditions or circumstances.  Adjustments to the warranty reserve are recorded in cost of goods sold.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

Certain operating activities in Asia and Europe are denominated in local currency, considered to be the functional currency.  Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated using exchange rates in effect at the end of the year, and revenue and costs are translated using weighted average exchange rates for the year.  The related translation adjustments are reported in comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity.


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 
FOREIGN EXCHANGE MANAGEMENT

We transact business in various foreign currencies, primarily the Japanese Yen, British Pound and the Euro.  Our exposure to foreign currency exchange risks has not been significant because a large portion of our business is denominated in U.S. dollars.  Periodically we enter into forward foreign exchange contracts in an effort to mitigate the risks associated with currency fluctuations on certain foreign currency balance sheet exposures.  Our foreign exchange contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities”, as amended by SFAS No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Instruments and Hedging Activities”, and SFAS No. 52, “Foreign Currency Translation” (SFAS 52); therefore, the gains and losses resulting from the impact of currency exchange rate movements on our forward foreign exchange contracts are recognized as other income or expense in the accompanying consolidated income statements in the period in which the exchange rates change.  These gains and losses are intended to partially offset the foreign currency exchange gains and losses on the underlying exposures being hedged.  Foreign exchange gains (losses) were $(61), $321 and $265 for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

We do not currently use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.  In addition, all derivatives, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are required to be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.  At September 30, 2008, we had one forward foreign exchange contract selling Japanese Yen related to an intercompany note with one of our subsidiaries in Japan and for the purpose of hedging the risk associated with a net transactional exposure in Japanese Yen (refer to “Intercompany Loan Accounting” in this section).

INTERCOMPANY LOAN ACCOUNTING

We maintain intercompany loan agreements with our wholly-owned subsidiary, Nihon Cabot Microelectronics K.K. (“the K.K.”), under which we provided funds to the K.K. to finance the purchase of certain assets from our former Japanese branch at the time of the establishment of this subsidiary, for the purchase of land adjacent to our Geino, Japan, facility, for the construction of our Asia Pacific technology center, and for the purchase of a 300 millimeter polishing tool and related metrology equipment, all of which are part of the K.K., as well as for general business purposes.  Since settlement of the notes is expected in the foreseeable future, and our subsidiary has been consistently making timely payments on the loans, the loans are considered foreign-currency transactions under SFAS 52.  Therefore the associated foreign exchange gains and losses are recognized as other income or expense rather than being deferred in the cumulative translation account in other comprehensive income.

PURCHASE COMMITMENTS

We have entered into unconditional purchase obligations, which include noncancelable purchase commitments and take-or-pay arrangements with suppliers.  We review our agreements and make an assessment of the likelihood of a shortfall in purchases and determine if it is necessary to record a liability.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Revenue from CMP consumable products is recognized when title is transferred to the customer, which usually occurs upon shipment, but depends on the terms and conditions of the particular customer arrangement, provided acceptance and collectability are reasonably assured.  Revenue related to inventory held on consignment at a customer site is recognized as the products are consumed by the customer.

Within our Engineered Surface Finishes (ESF) business, sales of equipment are recorded as revenue upon delivery.  Amounts allocated to installation and training are deferred until those services are provided.

Revenues are reported net of any value-added tax or other such tax assessed by a governmental authority on our revenue-producing activities.

SHIPPING AND HANDLING

Costs related to shipping and handling are included in cost of goods sold.


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 
RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND TECHNICAL

Research, development and technical costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of staffing costs, materials and supplies, depreciation, utilities and other facilities costs.

INCOME TAXES

Current income taxes are determined based on estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current year.  Deferred income taxes are determined using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax bases of recorded assets and liabilities.  The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.  Provisions are made for both U.S. and any foreign deferred income tax liability or benefit.

In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which prescribes a threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return.  Under FIN 48, we may recognize the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  Upon adoption, we recognized a $59 reduction to our beginning retained earnings balance and we reclassified $450 from current income taxes payable to a non-current liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties.  See Note 15 for additional information on income taxes.

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Effective October 1, 2005, we adopted SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (SFAS 123R), which requires all share-based payments, including stock option grants, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards and discounts provided to employees on employee stock purchases, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values.  Under SFAS 123R, we attribute share-based compensation expense using the straight-line approach based on awards ultimately expected to vest, which requires the use of an estimated forfeiture rate.  Our estimated forfeiture rate is primarily based on historical experience, but may be revised in future periods if actual forfeitures differ from the estimate.  We use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) to estimate grant date fair value, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the option’s expected term, the price volatility of the underlying stock, the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend rate, if any.  A small change in the underlying assumptions can have a relatively large effect on the estimated valuation.  Under SFAS 123R, we estimate expected volatility based on a combination of our stock’s historical volatility and the implied volatilities from actively-traded options on our stock.  We use the simplified method to calculate the expected term as discussed in Topic 14 of the Staff Accounting Bulletin Series, “Share-Based Payment”, due to our limited amount of historical option exercise data, and we add a slight premium to this expected term for employees who would meet the definition of retirement pursuant to the terms of their grant agreements during the contractual term of the grant.  This method uses an average of the vesting and contractual terms.  The risk-free rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

For additional information regarding our share-based compensation plans, refer to Note 11.

EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share (EPS) is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted EPS is calculated by using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period increased to include the weighted average dilutive effect of “in-the-money” stock options and unvested restricted stock shares using the treasury stock method.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income primarily differs from net income due to foreign currency translation adjustments.


Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 
EFFECTS OF RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement” (SFAS 157).  SFAS 157 establishes a common definition for fair value in generally accepted accounting principles, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements.  In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Positions (FSP) 157-1 and 157-2.  FSP 157-1 removed leasing transactions accounted for under Statement 13 and related guidance from the scope of SFAS 157, and FSP 157-2 deferred the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis.  SFAS 157 is effective for us beginning October 1, 2008.  We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (SFAS 141R), which replaces SFAS No. 141.  The statement retains the purchase method of accounting for acquisitions, but requires a number of changes, including changes in the way assets and liabilities are recognized in purchase accounting.  It also changes the recognition of assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies, requires the capitalization of in-process research and development at fair value, and requires acquisition-related costs to be charged to expense as incurred.  SFAS 141R is effective for us October 1, 2009 and will apply prospectively to business combinations completed on or after that date.

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interest in Consolidated Financial Statements, an Amendment of ARB 51” (SFAS 160), which changes the accounting and reporting for minority equity interests in subsidiaries.  Minority interests will be recharacterized as noncontrolling interests and will be reported as a component of equity separate from the parent’s equity, and purchases or sales of equity interests that do not result in a change of control will be accounted for as equity transactions.  In addition, net income attributable to the noncontrolling interest will be included in consolidated net income on the face of the statement of operations and, upon loss of control, the interest sold, as well as any interest retained, will be recorded at fair value with any gain or loss recognized in earnings.  SFAS 160 is effective for us beginning October 1, 2009 and will apply prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which will apply retrospectively.  We are currently assessing the potential impact that the adoption of this pronouncement would have on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.  Currently, there are no minority interests in any of our subsidiaries .

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (SFAS 161), which requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivatives and hedging activities.  Entities will be required to provide enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why derivative instruments are used, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” and related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  SFAS 161 is effective for us beginning January 1, 2009.  We are currently assessing the potential impact that the adoption of this pronouncement will have on our financial disclosures.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles” (SFAS 162), which identifies a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles for nongovernmental entities (the “Hierarchy”).  The Hierarchy within SFAS 162 is consistent with that previously defined in the AICPA Statement on Auditing Standards No. 69, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”.  SFAS 162 is effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to U. S. Auditing Standards Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”.  We do not believe the adoption of this pronouncement will have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.




Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 
3.  SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

Our short-term investments as of September 30, 2008 and 2007 consisted of ARS which are classified as available-for-sale securities.  The estimated fair value of our short-term ARS holdings was $4,950 and $157,915 as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and equal to par value.

In general, ARS investments are securities with long-term nominal maturities for which interest rates are reset through a Dutch auction every seven to 35 days.   Historically, these periodic auctions provided a liquid market for these securities.  General uncertainties in the global credit markets in 2008 have caused widespread failures of ARS auctions as the number of securities submitted for sale exceeded the number of securities buyers were willing to purchase.  As a result, the short-term liquidity of the ARS market has been adversely affected.  As auctions fail, the interest rates on the ARS investments reset to default levels, which in many cases are higher than the interest rates issuers would pay through alternative borrowing mechanisms.

Our ARS investments at September 30, 2008 consisted of two tax exempt municipal debt obligations; we currently do not own any mortgage-backed, collateralized debt obligations or obligations secured by student loans.  We experienced our first failed auction in February 2008, and since that time the auctions of two of our ARS have continued to fail.  Despite the failed auctions, there have been no defaults of the underlying securities and interest income on these holdings continues to be received on scheduled interest payment dates.  Our ARS, when purchased, were generally issued by A-rated municipalities for hospitals, airports and related projects.  As discussed further below, the credit rating of one security (with a par value of $3,450) was downgraded during our second quarter of fiscal 2008.  Both of our ARS (including the downgraded security) were insured at the time of purchase to obtain a credit rating of AAA.

We performed a fair value assessment at September 30, 2008, including a discounted cash flow analysis, to calculate the fair value of each security and determined that one of the securities was temporarily impaired as its credit rating was downgraded prior to March 31, 2008.  This security has been classified as a long-term asset and is included in Other Long-Term Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheet.  See Note 8 for more information on this security.  Based on our fair value assessment, we determined the other ARS was not impaired as of September 30, 2008.

At September 30, 2008, we have classified the other of our two ARS as a short-term investment.  We assessed the probability of a successful auction or refinancing of the underlying debt by the issuer for each security owned as of September 30, 2008 to determine if the securities could likely be monetized within the next operating cycle (which for us is generally one year).  This assessment was based on the current credit rating of the issuers of the securities as well as our success in monetizing other ARS we previously owned at par value through successful auctions or debt refinancing during our third and fourth fiscal quarters.  See Note 8 for more information on the ARS.  If auctions involving our ARS continue to fail, if issuers of our ARS are unable to refinance the underlying securities, if underlying municipalities are unable to pay debt obligations and the bond insurance fails, or if credit ratings decline or other adverse developments occur in the credit markets, then we may not be able to monetize these securities in the short term and we may also be required to further adjust the carrying value of these instruments through an impairment charge that may be deemed other-than-temporary.



 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 
4.  INVENTORIES

Inventories consisted of the following:

   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Raw materials
  $ 21,378     $ 18,011  
Work in process
    4,628       1,735  
Finished goods
    21,460       17,520  
Total
  $ 47,466     $ 37,266  

The increase in inventory from September 30, 2007 is primarily due to building raw material and finished goods inventory for our emerging polishing pad business as well as a general increase in slurry inventory based on the higher level of sales we have experienced in fiscal 2008.


5.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:

   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Land
  $ 17,661     $ 16,905  
Buildings
    70,602       65,110  
Machinery and equipment
    128,311       119,549  
Furniture and fixtures
    5,488       5,359  
Information systems
    15,348       13,817  
Capital leases
    9,820       9,890  
Construction in progress
    1,278       2,325  
Total property, plant and equipment
    248,508       232,955  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization of assets under capital lease
    (132,665     (114,501
Net property, plant and equipment
  $ 115,843     $ 118,454  


Depreciation expense, including amortization of assets recorded under capital leases, was $23,114, $21,365 and $20,501 for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

In fiscal 2006, we recorded $790 in impairment expense primarily related to the decision to no longer use a portion of a building in Aurora, Illinois, that was previously used for research and development activities.  Of this amount, $133 and $657 was included in cost of goods sold and research, development and technical expense, respectively.  Impairment expense for fiscal 2007 and 2008 was not material.


 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
 
6.  BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

In accordance with SFAS 141, we account for all business combinations by the purchase method of accounting.  Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entities are recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.  Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets and amounts assigned to identifiable intangible assets.  Purchased in-process research and development (IPR&D), for which technological feasibility has not yet been established and no future alternative uses exist, is expensed immediately in accordance with SFAS 141.

In July 2006, we acquired substantially all of the assets and certain associated proprietary technology and intellectual property of QED Technologies, Inc. (QED), and assumed certain of its current liabilities.  QED specializes in unique, patented polishing and metrology systems for shaping and polishing high precision optics.  At the July 2006 closing of the transaction, we paid $19,000 in cash plus $303 of transaction costs from our available cash balance.  In fiscal 2007, we paid another $2,500 related to the revenue performance of the QED business in the 12 months following the acquisition.  The purchase price was allocated to tangible assets, liabilities assumed, identified intangible assets acquired, as well as IPR&D, based on their estimated fair values.  The excess of the purchase price over the aggregate fair values was recorded as goodwill.
 
The following table summarizes the final QED purchase price allocation, which did not change in fiscal 2008:
 
       
Current assets
  $ 10,610  
Long-term assets
    2,197  
In-process research and development
    1,120  
Identified intangible assets
    6,890  
Goodwill
    5,000  
Total assets acquired
    25,817  
Total current liabilities assumed
    4,010  
Net assets acquired
  $ 21,807  
 

 
 
Results of QED’s operations since July 7, 2006, are included in our consolidated financial statements.
 
In October 2005, we purchased substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities of Surface Finishes Co., Inc. (“Surface Finishes”), a company that specializes in precision machining techniques at the sub-nanometer level, as well as associated real property from a related trust.  The total cash purchase price was approximately $2,282, of which $1,450 was allocated to net tangible assets and $832 was allocated to intangible assets and goodwill based on estimated fair values.  The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase transaction with results of operations included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition.
 
Pro forma results of operations for Surface Finishes and QED, prior to our acquisitions, have not been presented because the effects of the acquisitions were not material to the Company’s results.
 




Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
 
7.  GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Goodwill was $7,069 as of September 30, 2008 and 2007.

The components of other intangible assets are as follows:

   
September 30, 2008
   
September 30, 2007
 
   
Gross Carrying
   
Accumulated
   
Gross Carrying
   
Accumulated
 
   
Amount
   
Amortization
   
Amount
   
Amortization
 
Other intangible assets subject to amortization:
                       
Product technology
  $ 5,380     $ 1,210     $ 5,380     $ 673  
Acquired patents and licenses
    8,000       4,716       8,000       2,560  
Trade secrets and know-how
    2,550       2,550       2,550       2,550  
Distribution rights, customer lists and other
    1,457       1,389       1,457       1,245  
                                 
Total other intangible assets subject to amortization
    17,387       9,865       17,387       7,028  
                                 
Total other intangible assets not subject to amortization*
    1,190               1,190          
                                 
Total other intangible assets
  $ 18,577     $ 9,865     $ 18,577     $ 7,028  


* Total other intangible assets not subject to amortization primarily consist of trade names.

Amortization expense was $2,837, $2,805 and $673 for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Estimated future amortization expense for the five succeeding fiscal years is as follows:

 
 
Fiscal Year
 
Estimated
amortization
expense
     
2009
 
$1,663
2010
 
854
2011
 
847
2012
 
847
2013
 
847
     



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

8.  OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS

Other long-term assets consisted of the following:

   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
             
Long-term investments
  $ 3,216     $ -  
Other long-term assets
    827       617  
Total
  $ 4,043     $ 617  
                 

As discussed in Note 3 of this Form 10-K, one of the two ARS that we owned as of September 30, 2008 is classified as an other long-term asset.  Although the underlying security was investment grade when purchased, its credit rating declined during our second quarter of fiscal 2008.  The security is credit enhanced with bond insurance to a AAA rating and all interest payments have been received on a timely basis.  Although we believe this security will ultimately be collected in full, we believe it is not likely that we will be able to monetize the security in our next business cycle.  We performed a fair value assessment including a discounted cash flow analysis to calculate the fair value of this security and determined that the security is temporarily impaired.  We have established a $234 pretax reduction ($151 net of tax) in fair value on this security.  We assessed this decline in fair value to be temporary based on our current cash position, our cash flow, our unused debt capacity, the nature of the underlying debt, the presence of AAA-rated insurance, our expectation that the issuer may refinance its debt, the fact that all interest payments have been received, and our intention and ability to hold the security until the value recovers, which may be at maturity.


9.  ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:

   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Accrued compensation
  $ 16,206     $ 13,965  
Goods and services received, not yet  invoiced
    2,060       2,365  
Warranty accrual
    863       527  
Taxes, other than income taxes
    998       911  
Other
    2,660       1,870  
Total
  $ 22,787     $ 19,638  


10.    REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

We have an unsecured revolving credit facility of $50,000 with an option to increase the facility up to $80,000.  Under this agreement, which was set to terminate in November 2008, interest accrues on any outstanding balance at either the lending institution’s base rate or the Eurodollar rate plus an applicable margin.  We also pay a non-use fee.  In October 2008, we amended this agreement to extend the termination date until November 2011, with an option to renew for two additional one-year terms.  The amendment did not include any other material changes to the terms of the credit agreement.  Loans under this facility are intended primarily for general corporate purposes, including financing working capital and capital expenditures.  The credit agreement also contains various covenants.  No amounts are currently outstanding under this credit facility and we believe we are currently in compliance with its covenants.



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
 
11.  SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS

EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

In March 2004, our stockholders approved our Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as amended and restated September 23, 2008, which is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors and is intended to provide enough shares to give us ongoing flexibility to attract, retain and reward our employees, directors, consultants and advisors.  The Plan allows for the granting of four types of equity incentive awards: stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and substitute awards.  Substitute awards are those awards that, in connection with an acquisition, may be granted to employees, directors, consultants or advisors of the acquired company, in substitution for equity incentives held by them in the seller or the acquired company.  No substitute awards have been granted to date.  The Plan authorizes up to 9,500,000 shares of stock to be granted thereunder, including up to 1,900,000 shares in the aggregate of restricted stock or restricted stock units and up to 1,750,000 incentive stock options (ISO).  Shares issued under our share-based compensation plans are issued from new shares rather than from treasury shares.

Non-qualified stock options issued under the Plan are generally time-based and provide for a ten-year term, with options generally vesting equally over a four-year period, with first vesting on the first anniversary of the award date.  Compensation expense related to our stock option awards was $12,381, $11,141 and $9,826 in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  For additional information on our accounting for share-based compensation, see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements.  Under the Plan, employees and non-employees may also be granted ISOs to purchase common stock at not less than the fair value on the date of the grant, of which none have been granted to date.

Under the Plan, employees and non-employees may be awarded shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units, which generally vest over a four-year period, with first vesting on the anniversary of the grant date.  In general, shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, disposed of or otherwise encumbered.  Holders of restricted stock, and restricted stock units, if specified in the award agreements, have all the rights of stockholders, including voting and dividend rights, subject to the above restrictions, although the current holders of restricted stock units do not have such rights.  Restricted shares under the Plan also may be purchased and placed “on deposit” by executive officers pursuant to the 2001 Deposit Share Plan.  Shares purchased under this Deposit Share Plan receive a 50% match in restricted shares (“Award Shares”).  These Award Shares vest at the end of a three-year period, and are subject to forfeiture upon early withdrawal of the deposit shares.  Compensation expense related to our restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards and restricted shares matched at 50% pursuant to the Deposit Share Plan was $2,022, $954 and $127 for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

Our historical approach to long-term incentives primarily had been the granting of non-qualified stock options.  Prior to fiscal 2007, under the Plan, awards and grants made to employees as part of our annual equity incentive award program and to non-employee directors for initial and annual grants as part of our non-employee directors’ compensation program consisted solely of non-qualified stock option grants.  Since fiscal 2007, as permitted by the Plan, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has awarded a blend of non-qualified stock option grants and restricted stock awards (restricted stock units for our non-United States employees) to eligible employees and non-employee directors according to an approximate three-to-one ratio of non-qualified stock options granted to shares of restricted stock or restricted stock units awarded.  Our Compensation Committee made these decisions primarily to address the financial impact of the expensing of equity-based compensation now required pursuant to SFAS 123R, as well as to provide a more competitive balance of equity incentives being awarded to our employees and non-employee directors under the 2000 Equity Incentive Plan.

EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

In March 2008, our stockholders approved our 2007 Cabot Microelectronics Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP Plan”), which amended the ESPP Plan for the primary purpose of increasing the authorized shares of common stock to be purchased under the ESPP Plan from 475,000 designated shares to 975,000 shares.  The ESPP allows all full and certain part-time employees of Cabot Microelectronics and its subsidiaries to purchase shares of our common stock through payroll deductions.  Employees can elect to have up to 10% of their annual earnings withheld to purchase our stock, subject to a maximum number of shares that a participant may purchase and a maximum dollar expenditure in any six-month offering period, and certain other criteria.  The shares are purchased at a price equal to the lower of 85% of the closing price at the beginning or end of each semi-annual stock purchase period.  A total of 54,625, 54,180, and 49,319 shares were issued under the ESPP during fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  Compensation expense related to the ESPP was $508, $446 and $344 in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
 
DIRECTORS’ DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

The Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated September 23, 2008, became effective in March 2001 and applies only to our non-employee directors.  The cumulative number of shares deferred under the plan was 40,092 and 35,525 as of September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.  Compensation expense related to our Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan was $156, $305 and $367 for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

ACCOUNTING FOR SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

We record share-based compensation expense under the provisions of SFAS 123R using the straight-line approach.  We use the Black-Scholes model to estimate grant date fair value, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the price volatility of the underlying stock and the expected term of our stock options.  Under SFAS 123R, we estimate the expected volatility of our stock options based on a combination of our stock’s historical volatility and the implied volatilities from actively-traded options on our stock.  We believe that implied volatility is more reflective of market conditions; however, due to the shorter length in term of the actively-traded options on our stock, we believe it to be appropriate to use a blended assumption for our stock options.  We calculate the expected term of our stock option using the simplified method as discussed in Topic 14 of the Staff Accounting Bulletin Series, “Share-Based Payment”, due to our limited amount of historical option exercise data, and we add a slight premium to this expected term for employees who meet the definition of retirement pursuant to their grants during the contractual term.  The simplified method uses an average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the option to calculate the expected term.  In addition, another highly subjective assumption is the estimated forfeiture rate, which is necessary because our share-based compensation expense is based only on the awards and grants that are ultimately expected to vest.  Our estimated forfeiture rate is primarily based on historical experience, but may be revised in future periods if actual forfeitures differ from the estimate.  The risk-free rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The fair value of our share-based awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

                   
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Stock Options
                 
Weighted–average grant date fair value
  $ 17.74     $ 18.12     $ 17.85  
Expected term (in years)
    6.51       6.56       6.25  
Expected volatility
    43 %     52 %     56 %
Risk-free rate of return
    3.5 %     4.4 %     4.5 %
Dividend yield
    -       -       -  

ESPP
                 
Weighted-average grant date fair value
  $ 8.74     $ 8.30     $ 7.23  
Expected term (in years)
    0.50       0.50       0.50  
Expected volatility
    33 %     30 %     33 %
Risk-free rate of return
    3.4 %     5.1 %     4.9 %
Dividend yield
    -       -       -  

The Black-Scholes model is primarily used in estimating the fair value of short-lived exchange traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable.  Because employee stock options and employee stock purchases have certain characteristics that are significantly different from traded options, and because changes in the subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimated value, our use of the Black-Scholes model for estimating the fair value of stock options and employee stock purchases may not provide an accurate measure.  Although the value of our stock options and employee stock purchases are determined in accordance with SFAS 123R and SAB 107 using an option-pricing model, those values may not be indicative of the fair values observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction.

The fair value of our restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards represents the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant.  Share-based compensation expense related to restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards is recorded net of expected forfeitures.

 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
 
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE

Total share-based compensation expense for the year ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, is as follows:

       
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
 Income statement classifications:
 
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
  Cost of goods sold
  $ 1,119     $ 775     $ 648  
  Research, development and technical
    1,226       1,131       959  
  Selling and marketing
    1,492       1,293       1,037  
  General and administrative
    11,230       9,647       8,020  
  Tax benefit
    (5,367 )     (4,588 )     (3,809 )
              Total share-based compensation expense, net of tax
  $ 9,700     $ 8,258     $ 6,855  

The costs presented in the preceding table for share-based compensation expense may not be representative of the total effects on reported income for future years.  Factors that may impact future years include, but are not limited to, changes to our historical approaches to long-term incentives such as described above, the timing and number of future grants of share-based awards, the vesting period and contractual term of share-based awards and types of equity awards granted.  Further, share-based compensation may be impacted by changes in the fair value of future awards through variables such as fluctuations in and volatility of our stock price, as well as changes in employee exercise behavior and forfeiture rates.

STOCK OPTION ACTIVITY

A summary of stock option activity under the Plan as of September 30, 2008, and changes during the fiscal 2008 are presented below:

               
Weighted
       
         
Weighted
   
Average
   
Aggregate
 
         
Average
   
Remaining
   
Intrinsic
 
   
Stock
   
Exercise
   
Contractual
   
Value
 
   
Options
   
Price
   
Term (in years)
   
(in thousands)
 
Outstanding at September 30, 2007
    4,334,381     $ 43.31              
Granted
    380,410       36.71              
Exercised
    (99,159 )     31.54              
Forfeited or canceled
    (523,237 )     60.78              
Outstanding at September 30, 2008
    4,092,395     $ 40.74       6.2     $ 1,365  
                                 
Exercisable at September 30, 2008
    2,737,095     $ 44.20       5.4     $ 541  
                                 
Expected to vest at September 30, 2008
    1,190,760     $ 33.71       7.8     $ 739  

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (i.e., for all in-the-money stock options, the difference between our closing stock price of $32.08 on the last trading day of fiscal 2008 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on the last trading day of fiscal 2008.  The total intrinsic value of options exercised was $871, $1,863 and $0 for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.


 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

The total cash received from options exercised was $3,128, $6,124 and $0 for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The actual tax benefit realized for the tax deductions from options exercised was $310, $665 and $0 for fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.  The total fair value of stock options vested during fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006 was $11,848, $10,204 and $6,594, respectively.  As of September 30, 2008, there was $13,213 of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options under the Plan.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.1 years.

RESTRICTED STOCK

A summary of the status of the restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit awards outstanding under the Plan as of September 30, 2008, and changes during fiscal 2008, are presented below:

             
   
Restricted
   
Weighted
 
   
Stock
   
Average
 
   
 Awards and
   
 Grant Date
 
   
Units
   
Fair Value
 
             
Nonvested at September 30, 2007
    151,152     $ 32.21  
Granted
    131,889       36.77  
Vested
    (43,789 )     33.09  
Forfeited
    (4,874 )     32.95  
Nonvested at September 30, 2008
    234,378     $ 34.60  

As of September 30, 2008, there was $5,294 of total unrecognized share-based compensation expense related to nonvested restricted stock awards and restricted stock units under the Plan.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years. The total fair values of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units vested during fiscal years 2008, 2007 and 2006 were $1,449, $293 and $203, respectively.


12.    SAVINGS PLAN

Effective in May 2000, we adopted the Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 401(k) Plan (the “401(k) Plan”), which is a qualified defined contribution plan, covering all eligible U.S. employees meeting certain minimum age and eligibility requirements, as defined by the 401(k) Plan.  Participants may make elective contributions of up to 60% of their eligible compensation.  All amounts contributed by participants and earnings on these contributions are fully vested at all times.  The 401(k) Plan provides for matching and fixed non-elective contributions by the Company.  Under the 401(k) Plan, the Company will match 100% of the first four percent of the participant’s eligible compensation and 50% of the next two percent of the participant’s eligible compensation that is contributed, subject to limitations required by government regulations.  Under the 401(k) Plan, all U.S. employees, even those who do not contribute to the 401(k) Plan, receive a contribution by the Company in an amount equal to four percent of eligible compensation, and thus are participants in the 401(k) Plan.  Participants are 100% vested in all Company contributions at all times.  The Company’s expense for the 401(k) Plan totaled $3,780, $3,643 and $3,170 for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 
13.   OTHER INCOME, NET

Other income, net, consisted of the following:
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Interest income
  $ 5,559     $ 6,117     $ 5,394  
Interest expense
    (395 )     (480 )     (690 )
Other income (expense)
    284       (2,031 )     (593 )
Total other income, net
  $ 5,448     $ 3,606     $ 4,111  

The increase in other income in fiscal 2008 is primarily due to the absence of a $2,052 pretax write-off of our minority equity investment in NanoProducts Corporation (NPC) recorded during the third quarter of fiscal 2007.  NPC had entered into third-party funding arrangements that we believed significantly reduced the likelihood that we would recover the value of our investment.  Accordingly, we recorded an impairment which reduced the carrying value of our investment to zero.


14.   STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

The following is a summary of our capital stock activity over the past three years:

 
Number of Shares
 
Common
Stock
Treasury
Stock
September 30, 2005
25,198,809
774,020
     Restricted stock under Deposit Share Plan, net of forfeitures
6,591
 
     Common stock under ESPP
49,319
 
     Repurchases of common stock
 
523,147
     
September 30, 2006
25,254,719
1,297,167
     Exercise of stock options
189,457
 
     Restricted stock under Equity Incentive Plan, net of forfeitures
129,371
 
     Restricted stock under Deposit Share Plan
8,003
 
     Common stock under ESPP
54,180
 
     Repurchases of common stock
 
330,170
     
September 30, 2007
25,635,730
1,627,337
     Exercise of stock options
99,159
 
     Restricted stock under Equity Incentive Plan, net of forfeitures
110,767
 
     Restricted stock under Deposit Share Plan
6,709
 
     Common stock under ESPP
54,625
 
     Repurchases of common stock
 
1,056,472
     
September 30, 2008
25,906,990
2,683,809
     

COMMON STOCK

Each share of common stock entitles the holder to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of Cabot Microelectronics’ stockholders.  Common stockholders are entitled to receive ratably the dividends, if any, as may be declared by the Board of Directors.  The number of authorized shares of common stock is 200,000,000 shares.



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
 
STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

In March 2000 the Board of Directors of Cabot Microelectronics approved a stock rights agreement and declared a dividend distribution of one right to purchase one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock for each outstanding share of common stock to stockholders of record on April 7, 2000.  The rights become exercisable based upon certain limited conditions related to acquisitions of stock, tender offers and certain business combination transactions.

SHARE REPURCHASES

In October 2005 we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a share repurchase program for up to $40,000 of our outstanding common stock.  We completed this share repurchase authorization during the quarter ended December 31, 2007.  In January 2008, we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized a new share repurchase program for up to $75,000 of our outstanding common stock.  Shares are repurchased from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market transactions, at management’s discretion.  We fund share repurchases from our existing cash balance.  The program, which became effective on the authorization date, may be suspended or terminated at any time, at the Company’s discretion.   During fiscal 2008, we repurchased a total of 1,056,472 shares of common stock under these programs at a cost of $39,001.  During fiscal 2007, we repurchased 330,170 shares of common stock at a cost of $9,995.  During fiscal 2006, we repurchased 523,147 shares of common stock at a cost of $15,996.  For additional information on share repurchases, see “Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities”.


15.  INCOME TAXES

Income before income taxes was as follows:

   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Domestic
  $ 44,912     $ 36,681     $ 39,759  
Foreign
    9,978       12,693       8,765  
Total
  $ 54,890     $ 49,374     $ 48,524  


Taxes on income consisted of the following:

   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
U.S. federal and state:
                 
Current
  $ 20,814     $ 17,821     $ 16,645  
Deferred
    (6,874 )     (6,176 )     (5,714 )
Total
  $ 13,940     $ 11,645     $ 10,931  
                         
Foreign:
                       
Current
  $ 2,491     $ 4,250     $ 4,388  
Deferred
    121       (357 )     257  
Total
    2,612       3,893       4,645  
Total U.S. and foreign
  $ 16,552     $ 15,538     $ 15,576  


 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 
The provision for income taxes at our effective tax rate differed from the provision for income taxes at the statutory rate as follows:
 
   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
                   
Federal statutory rate
    35.0 %     35.0 %     35.0 %
U.S. benefits from research and  experimentation activities
    (2.2 )     (0.9 )     (0.2 )
State taxes, net of federal effect
    0.7       0.6       0.7  
Tax-exempt interest income
    (3.2 )     (4.1 )     (3.7 )
Share-based compensation
    0.5       1.1       -  
Domestic production deduction
    (0.5 )     (0.2 )     (0.4 )
Other, net
    (0.1 )     -       0.7  
Provision for income taxes
    30.2 %     31.5 %     32.1 %

The decrease in our effective tax rate in fiscal 2008 was primarily due to higher research and experimentation credits and a reduction in taxable share-based compensation expense compared to fiscal 2007.  These decreases were partially offset by a reduction in our tax exempt interest income.  During fiscal 2008, the U.S. Congress passed a bill that extended the credit for research and experimentation through calendar 2009.

On October 1, 2007, we adopted the provisions of Financial Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (FIN 48), which prescribes a threshold for the financial statement recognition and measurement of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return.  Under FIN 48, we may recognize the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.  Upon adoption, we recognized a $59 reduction to our beginning retained earnings balance and we reclassified $450 from current income taxes payable to a non-current tax liability for unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties.  We made this reclassification to a non-current liability because settlement is not expected to occur within one year of the balance sheet date.

The total amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits as of October 1, 2007, the date of adoption of FIN 48, was $464.  We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as income tax expense in our financial statements.  The gross amount of interest and penalties accrued at the date of adoption was $45.  During the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2008, we reduced our FIN 48 liability for unrecognized tax benefits by $219 as the federal statute of limitations relating to our fiscal 2004 tax return had expired, which had a favorable impact on our effective tax rate.  There have been no material changes to the interest and penalties accrued during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008.

We believe the tax periods open to examination by the U.S. federal government include fiscal years 2005 through 2007.  We believe the tax periods open to examination by U.S. state and local governments include fiscal years 2003 through 2007 and the tax periods open to examination by foreign jurisdictions include fiscal years 2001 through 2007.  We do not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months.



 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 
Significant components of deferred income taxes were as follows:

   
September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
 
Deferred tax assets:
           
Employee benefits
  $ 2,171     $ 1,799  
Inventory
    2,420       1,298  
Depreciation and amortization
    (31 )     162  
Product warranty
    353       232  
Bad debt reserve
    144       226  
Share-based compensation expense
    11,931       7,080  
Other, net
    449       449  
Total deferred tax assets
  $ 17,437     $ 11,246  
                 
Deferred tax liabilities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
  $ (1,613 )   $ 552  
Translation adjustment
    1,483       (209 )
Other, net
    2,024       1,356  
Total deferred tax liabilities
  $ 1,894     $ 1,699  


16.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

While we are not involved in any legal proceedings that we believe will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows, we periodically become a party to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business.  For example, in January 2007, we filed a legal action against DuPont Air Products NanoMaterials LLC (DA Nano), a CMP slurry competitor, in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona, charging that DA Nano’s manufacturing and marketing of CMP slurries infringe five CMP slurry patents that we own.  The affected DA Nano products include certain products used for tungsten CMP.  We filed our infringement complaint as a counterclaim in response to an action filed by DA Nano in the same court in December 2006 that seeks declaratory relief and alleges non-infringement, invalidity and unenforceability regarding some of the patents at issue in our complaint against DA Nano.  DA Nano filed its complaint following our refusal of its request that we license to it our patents raised in its complaint.  DA Nano’s complaint does not allege any infringement by our products of intellectual property owned by DA Nano.  On July 25, 2008, the District Court issued its patent claim construction, or “Markman” Order (“Markman Order”) in the litigation.  In a Markman ruling, a district court hearing a patent infringement case interprets and rules on the scope and meaning of disputed patent claim language regarding the patents in suit.  We believe that a Markman decision is often a significant factor in the progress and outcome of patent infringement litigation.  In the recently issued Markman Order, the District Court adopted interpretations that we believe are favorable to Cabot Microelectronics on all claim terms that were in dispute in the litigation.  Although no trial date has been set, we currently expect trial in this matter to occur sometime in the summer of 2009.  While the outcome of this and any legal matter cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe that our claims and defenses in the pending action are meritorious, and we intend to pursue and defend them vigorously.



Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
 
PRODUCT WARRANTIES

We maintain a warranty reserve that reflects management’s best estimate of the cost to replace product that does not meet customers’ specifications and performance requirements, and costs related to such replacement.  The warranty reserve is based upon a historical product replacement rate, adjusted for any specific known conditions or circumstances.  Additions and deductions to the warranty reserve are recorded in cost of goods sold.  Our warranty reserve requirements changed during fiscal 2008 as follows:

Balance as of September 30, 2007
  $ 527  
Reserve for product warranty during the r eporting period
    962  
Adjustments to pre-existing warranty reserve
    -  
Settlement of warranty
    (626 )
Balance as of September 30, 2008
  $ 863  


INDEMNIFICATION

In the normal course of business, we are a party to a variety of agreements pursuant to which we may be obligated to indemnify the other party with respect to certain matters.  Generally, these obligations arise in the context of agreements entered into by us, under which we customarily agree to hold the other party harmless against losses arising from items such as a breach of certain representations and covenants including title to assets sold, certain intellectual property rights and certain environmental matters.  These terms are common in the industries in which we conduct business.  In each of these circumstances, payment by us is subject to certain monetary and other limitations and is conditioned on the other party making an adverse claim pursuant to the procedures specified in the particular agreement, which typically allow us to challenge the other party’s claims.

We evaluate estimated losses for such indemnifications under SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies” as interpreted by FIN No. 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others”.  We consider such factors as the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss.  To date, we have not experienced material costs as a result of such obligations and as of September 30, 2008, have not recorded any liabilities related to such indemnifications in our financial statements as we do not believe the likelihood of a material obligation is probable.

LEASE COMMITMENTS

We lease certain vehicles, warehouse facilities, office space, machinery and equipment under cancelable and noncancelable leases, all of which expire within four years from now and may be renewed by us.  Rent expense under such arrangements during fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006 totaled $1,726, $1,612 and $1,221, respectively.

In December 2001 we entered into a fumed alumina supply agreement with Cabot Corporation under which we agreed to pay Cabot Corporation for the expansion of a fumed alumina manufacturing facility in Tuscola, Illinois.  The payments for the facility have been treated as a capital lease for accounting purposes and the present value of the minimum quarterly payments resulted in an initial $9,776 lease obligation and related leased asset.  The initial term of the agreement expired in December 2006, but it was renewed for another five-year term ending in December 2011.


 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued

 
Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable leases as of September 30, 2008 are as follows:

Fiscal Year
 
Operating
   
Capital
 
             
2009
  $ 1,288     $ 1,354  
2010
    737       1,354  
2011
    404       1,354  
2012
    18       10  
2013
    -       3  
Thereafter
    -       -  
    $ 2,447       4,075  
Amount related to interest
            (428 )
Capital lease obligation
          $ 3,647  

PURCHASE OBLIGATIONS

Purchase obligations include our take-or-pay arrangements with suppliers, and purchase orders and other obligations entered into in the normal course of business regarding the purchase of goods and services.

We purchase fumed silica primarily under a fumed silica supply agreement with Cabot Corporation that became effective in January 2004, and was amended in September 2006 and in April 2008, the latter of which extended the termination date of the agreement from December 2009 to December 2012 and also changed the pricing and some other non-material terms of the agreement to the benefit of both parties.   The agreement will automatically renew unless either party gives notice of non-renewal.  We are generally obligated to purchase fumed silica for at least 90% of our six-month volume forecast for certain of our slurry products, to purchase certain non-material minimum quantities every six months, and to pay for the shortfall if we purchase less than these amounts.  We currently anticipate meeting minimum forecasted purchase volume requirements.  We also operate under a fumed alumina supply agreement with Cabot Corporation which runs through December 2011.  Purchase obligations include $14,884 of contractual commitments for fumed silica and fumed alumina under these contracts.




Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
 
17.  EARNINGS PER SHARE

SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share”, requires companies to provide a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations.  Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows:

   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Numerator:
                 
Earnings available to common shares
  $ 38,338     $ 33,836     $ 32,948  
                         
Denominator:
                       
Weighted average common shares
    23,315,072       23,748,158       24,228,118  
(Denominator for basic calculation)
                       
Weighted average effect of dilutive securities:
                       
Share-based compensation
    33,195       6,044       268  
Diluted weighted average common shares
    23,348,267       23,754,202       24,228,386  
(Denominator for diluted calculation)
                       
                         
Earnings per share:
                       
Basic
  $ 1.64     $ 1.42     $ 1.36  
Diluted
  $ 1.64     $ 1.42     $ 1.36  

For the twelve months ended September 30, 2008, 2007, and 2006, approximately 2.7 million, 3.0 million and 3.4 million shares, respectively, attributable to outstanding stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price of our common stock and, therefore, their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.




Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Continued
 
18.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION BY INDUSTRY SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA

We operate predominantly in one industry segment – the development, manufacture, and sale of CMP consumables.

Revenues are attributed to the United States and foreign regions based upon the customer location and not the geographic location from which our products were shipped.  Financial information by geographic area was as follows:

   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Revenue:
                 
United States
  $ 71,395     $ 70,110     $ 65,951  
Asia
    276,387       239,254       226,520  
Europe
    27,287       28,841       28,324  
Total
  $ 375,069     $ 338,205     $ 320,795  
Property, plant and equipment, net:
                       
United States
  $ 70,972     $ 75,618     $ 82,855  
Asia
    44,864       41,786       45,609  
Europe
    7       1,050       1,712  
Total
  $ 115,843     $ 118,454     $ 130,176  


The following table shows revenue from customers in foreign countries that accounted for more than ten percent of our total revenue in fiscal 2008, 2007 and 2006:

   
Year Ended September 30,
 
   
2008
   
2007
   
2006
 
Revenue:
                 
Taiwan
  $ 109,282     $ 97,583     $ 87,834  
Japan
    47,642       44,535       43,627  
Korea
    43,653       *       *  
   *  Denotes less than ten percent of total revenue
                       


More than ten percent of our net property, plant and equipment is located in Japan, having a net book value of $42,732, $37,850 and $40,298 at September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively.




 
 
SELECTED QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS

The following table presents our unaudited financial information for the eight quarterly periods ended September 30, 2008.  This unaudited financial information has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, applied on a basis consistent with the annual audited financial statements and in the opinion of management, include all necessary adjustments, which consist only of normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial results for the periods.  The results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for any future period.


 
CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
 
SELECTED QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
 
(Unaudited and in thousands, except per share amounts)
 
                                                 
                                                 
   
Sept. 30,
   
June 30,
   
March 31,
   
Dec. 31,
   
Sept. 30,
   
June 30,
   
March 31,
   
Dec. 31,
 
   
2008
   
2008
   
2008
   
2007
   
2007
   
2007
   
2007
   
2006
 
                                                 
Revenue
  $ 90,156     $ 97,047     $ 94,488     $ 93,378     $ 90,379     $ 89,023     $ 76,987     $ 81,816  
Cost of goods sold
    48,141       51,638       52,212       48,605       45,983       46,552       43,188       42,501  
                                                                 
Gross profit
    42,015       45,409       42,276       44,773       44,396       42,471       33,799       39,315  
                                                                 
Operating expenses:
                                                               
      Research, development and technical
    12,572       12,730       12,432       11,421       12,209       12,033       13,481       12,247  
      Selling and marketing
    7,914       7,176       6,907       6,284       6,518       6,469       5,847       5,476  
      General and administrative
    11,258       12,642       12,856       10,839       11,584       9,387       9,537       9,425  
Total operating expenses
    31,744       32,548       32,195       28,544       30,311       27,889       28,865       27,148  
                                                                 
Operating income
    10,271       12,861       10,081       16,229       14,085       14,582       4,934       12,167  
Other income (expense), net
    885       1,239       1,689       1,635       1,320       (148 )     1,260       1,174  
                                                                 
Income before income taxes
    11,156       14,100       11,770       17,864       15,405       14,434       6,194       13,341  
Provision for income taxes
    2,939       4,120       3,828       5,665       5,246       4,373       1,703       4,216  
                                                                 
Net income
  $ 8,217     $ 9,980     $ 7,942     $ 12,199     $ 10,159     $ 10,061     $ 4,491     $ 9,125  
                                                                 
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.36     $ 0.43     $ 0.34     $ 0.51     $ 0.43     $ 0.43     $ 0.19     $ 0.38  
                                                                 
Weighted average basic shares outstanding
    23,023       23,132       23,402       23,716       23,783       23,662       23,708       23,839  
                                                                 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.36     $ 0.43     $ 0.34     $ 0.51     $ 0.43     $ 0.42     $ 0.19     $ 0.38  
                                                                 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding
    23,085       23,163       23,416       23,768       23,847       23,687       23,718       23,841  



SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

The following table sets forth activities in our allowance for doubtful accounts:

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts
 
Balance At Beginning of Year
   
Additions Charged To Expenses
   
Deductions
   
Balance At End Of Year
 
                         
Year ended:
                       
September 30, 2008
  $ 635     $ (99 )   $ (133 )   $ 403  
September 30, 2007
    551       87       (3 )     635  
September 30, 2006
    470       92       (11 )     551  


We maintain a warranty reserve that reflects management’s best estimate of the cost to replace product that does not meet customers’ specifications and performance requirements, and costs related to such replacement.  The warranty reserve is based upon a historical product replacement rate, adjusted for any specific known conditions or circumstances.  Additions and deductions to the warranty reserve are recorded in cost of goods sold.  Charges to expenses and deductions, shown below, represent the net change required to maintain an appropriate reserve.

Warranty Reserves
 
Balance At Beginning of Year
   
Reserve For Product Warranty During the Reporting Period
   
Adjustments To Pre-existing Warranty Reserve
   
Settlement of Warranty
   
Balance At End Of Year
 
                               
Year ended:
                             
September 30, 2008
  $ 527     $ 962     $ -     $ (626 )   $ 863  
September 30, 2007
    924       106       (314 )     (189 )     527  
September 30, 2006
    1,426       989       -       (1,491 )     924  





MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITY

The accompanying consolidated financial statements were prepared by the Company in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.  The Company’s management is responsible for the integrity of these statements and of the underlying data, estimates and judgments.

The Company’s management establishes and maintains a system of internal accounting controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that its assets are safeguarded from loss or unauthorized use, transactions are properly authorized and recorded, and that financial records can be relied upon for the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.  This system includes written policies and procedures, a code of business conduct and an organizational structure that provides for appropriate division of responsibility and the training of personnel.  This system is monitored and evaluated on an ongoing basis by management in conjunction with its internal audit function.

The Company’s management assesses the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting on an annual basis. In making this assessment, management uses the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control – Integrated Framework .  Management acknowledges, however, that all internal control systems, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations and can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation.  In addition, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm evaluates the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and performs such tests and other procedures as it deems necessary to reach and express an opinion on the fairness of the financial statements.

In addition, the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors provides general oversight responsibility for the financial statements.  Composed entirely of Directors who are independent and not employees of the Company, the Committee meets periodically with the Company’s management, internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm to review the quality of financial reporting and internal controls, as well as results of auditing efforts.  The internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm have full and direct access to the Audit Committee, with and without management present.


/s/ William P. Noglows

William P. Noglows
Chief Executive Officer


/s/ William S. Johnson

William S. Johnson
Chief Financial Officer


/s/ Thomas S. Roman

Thomas S. Roman
Principal Accounting Officer




ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.


ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the Exchange Act”)), as of September 30, 2008.  Based on that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC, and that material information relating to the Company is made known to senior management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

While we believe the present design of our disclosure controls and procedures is effective enough to make known to our senior management in a timely fashion all material information concerning our business, we intend to continue to improve the design and effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures to the extent necessary in the future to provide our senior management with timely access to such material information, and to correct any deficiencies that we may discover in the future, as appropriate.


MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company.  Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or Rule 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s CEO and CFO to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America.  Internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that: pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of the Company’s assets; provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; provide reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures of Company assets are made in accordance with management authorization; and provide reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Company assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis.  Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Our management evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.  Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of September 30, 2008.  The effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2008 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which appears under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
INHERENT LIMITATIONS ON EFFECTIVENESS OF CONTROLS

Because of inherent limitations, our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting may not prevent all errors and all fraud.  A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls.  The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.  Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.


ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.




PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS , EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K with respect to identification of directors, the existence of a separately-designated standing audit committee, identification of members of such committee and identification of an audit committee financial expert is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the sections captioned "Election of Directors" and “Board Structure and Compensation” in our definitive Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held March 3, 2009 (the "Proxy Statement”).  In addition, for information with respect to the executive officers of our Company, see "Executive Officers" at the end of Part I of this Form 10-K and the section captioned “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement.  Information required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement.

We have adopted a code of business conduct for all of our employees and directors, including our principal executive officer, other executive officers, principal financial officer and senior financial personnel.  A copy of our code of business conduct is available free of charge on our Company website at www.cabotcmp.com.  We intend to post on our website any material changes to, or waivers from our code of business conduct, if any, within two days of any such event.



The information required by Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned "Executive Compensation" in the Proxy Statement.




ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

     Shown below is information as of September 30, 2008, with respect to the shares of common stock that may be issued under Cabot Microelectronics’ existing equity compensation plans.

   
(a)
 
(b)
 
(c)
 
 
Plan category
 
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
 
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
 
 
 
4,156,596 (1)
 
 
 
$40.74 (1)
 
 
 
4,043,117 (2)
             
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
 
 
 
-
             
Total
 
4,156,596 (1)
 
$40.74 (1)
 
4,043,117 (2)

(1)  
Column (a) includes 40,092 shares that non-employee directors, who defer their compensation under our Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, have the right to acquire pursuant thereto, and 24,109 shares that non-U.S. employees have the right to acquire upon the vesting of the equivalent restricted stock units that they have been awarded under our equity incentive plan.  Column (b) excludes both of these from the weighted average exercise price.
(2)  
Column (c) includes 603,087 shares available for future issuance under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The other information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned "Stock Ownership" in the Proxy Statement.


ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

The information required by Item 13 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions" in the Proxy Statement.


ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in the section captioned “Fees of Independent Auditors and Audit Committee Report” in the Proxy Statement.




PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(a)  The following Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule are included in Item 8 herein:

1.  
Financial Statements:
            Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2008 and 2007
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended September 30, 2008, 2007 and 2006
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

2.  
Financial Statement Schedule:  Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

3.  
Exhibits  -  The following exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Report on Form 10-K:

Exhibit
Number                                  Description

 
3.2 (16)
Amended and Restated By-Laws of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation.
 
3.3 (1)
Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation.
 
3.4 (2)
Form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
 
4.1 (2)
Form of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Common Stock Certificate.
 
4.2 (3)
Rights Agreement.
 
4.3 (4)
Amendment to Rights Agreement.
 
10.1
Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated September 23, 2008.*
 
10.2
Form of Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement (directors).*
 
10.4
Form of Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement (U.S. employees (including executive officers)).*
 
10.5
Form of Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement (employees (including executive officers)).*
 
10.6
Form of Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Directors.*
 
10.15 (14)
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2007 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as Amended and Restated January 18, 2008.*
10.22                     Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 401(k) Plan, as amended.*
10.23                    Form of Amended and Restated Change in Control Severance Protection Agreement.**
10.28                      Directors’ Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended September 23, 2008.*
 
10.29 (6)
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated November 24, 2003 among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, Various Financial Institutions and LaSalle Bank National Association, as Administrative Agent, and National City Bank of Michigan/Illinois, as Syndication Agent.
 
10.30 (5)
Form of Deposit Share Agreement.***
 
10.31 (5)
Amendment No. 1 to Fumed Metal Oxide Agreement, between Cabot Microelectronics Corporation and Cabot Corporation.+
 
10.32 (5)
Fumed Alumina Supply Agreement.+
 
10.33
Adoption Agreement, as amended September 23, 2008, of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan.*
 
10.34 (10)
Code of Business Conduct.
 
10.36 (6)
Directors’ Cash Compensation Umbrella Program.*
 
10.37 (7)
Employment and Transition Agreement dated November 3, 2003.*
 
10.38 (7)
Employment Offer Letter dated November 2, 2003.*
 
10.39 (7)
Employment Offer Letter dated November 17, 2003.*
 
10.40 (8)
Amendment No. 2 to Fumed Metal Oxide Agreement, between Cabot Microelectronics Corporation and Cabot Corporation.
 
10.41 (8)
Amendment No. 3 to Fumed Metal Oxide Agreement, between Cabot Microelectronics Corporation and Cabot Corporation.
 
10.42 (8)
Fumed Silica Supply Agreement.+
 
10.43 (8)
General Release, Waiver and Covenant Not to Sue.*
 
10.44 (9)
Amendment as of January 17, 2005 to Four Grant Agreements for Non-Qualified Stock Option Awards with Grant Dates of March 13, 2001, March 12, 2002, March 11, 2003 and March 9, 2004, respectively.*
 
10.45 (9)
Amendment as of January 29, 2005 to Three Grant Agreements for Non-Qualified Stock Option Awards with Grant Dates of March 13, 2001, March 12, 2002 and March 11, 2003, respectively.*
 
10.46 (13)
Non-Employee Directors’ Compensation Summary as of March, 2007.*
 
10.47 (11)
Asset Purchase Agreement by and among Cabot Microelectronic Corporation, QED Technologies International, Inc., QED Technologies, Inc., Don Golini and Lowell Mintz dated June 15, 2006.
 
10.48 (11)
Technology Asset Purchase Agreement dated June 15, 2006 by and among Cabot Microelectronics Corporation, QED Technologies International, Inc., and Byelocorp Scientific, Inc.
 
10.49 (12)
Amendment No. 1 to Fumed Silica Supply Agreement, between Cabot Microelectronics Corporation and Cabot Corporation.+
 
10.50 (15)
Amendment No. 2 to Fumed Silica Supply Agreement, between Cabot Microelectronics Corporation and Cabot Corporation.+
 
10.51
First Amendment to the Employment Offer Letter dated November 2, 2003.*
 
10.52
First Amendment to the Employment Offer Letter dated November 23, 2003.*
 
10.53
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, as amended.*
 
10.54
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Annual Incentive and Sales Incentive Programs.*
 
21.1
Subsidiaries of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation.
 
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.
 
24.1
Power of Attorney.
 
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.1
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
 

 
 
(1)   Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-95093) filed with the Commission on March 27, 2000.

 
(2)   Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-95093) filed with the Commission on April 3, 2000.

 
(3)   Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (No. 333-95093) filed with the Commission on April 4, 2000.

 
(4)   Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on October 6, 2000.

 
(5)   Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on February 12, 2002.

 
(6)   Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on December 10, 2003.

 
(7)   Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on February 12, 2004.

 
(8)   Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on May 7, 2004.

 
(9)   Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on May 9, 2005.

 
(10) Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on December 7, 2005.

 
(11) Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on August 9, 2006.

 
(12) Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on November 29, 2006.

 
(13) Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on March 8, 2007.

 
(14) Filed as Appendix A, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Definitive Proxy Statement (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on January 18, 2008.

 
(15) Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on August 8, 2008.

 
(16) Filed as an exhibit to, and incorporated by reference from the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K (No. 000-30205) filed with the Commission on September 24, 2008.

*     Management contract, or compensatory plan or arrangement.

**  Substantially similar change in control severance protection agreements have been entered into with William P. Noglows, H. Carol Bernstein, William S. Johnson, Daniel J. Pike, Thomas S. Roman, Stephen R. Smith, Clifford L. Spiro, Adam F. Weisman, Daniel S. Wobby, Yumiko Damashek and David H. Li, with differences only in the amount of payments and benefits to be received by such persons.

***  Substantially similar deposit share agreements have been entered into with William P. Noglows, H. Carol Bernstein, William S. Johnson, Daniel J. Pike, Thomas S. Roman, Stephen R. Smith, Clifford L. Spiro, Adam F. Weisman and Daniel S. Wobby with differences only in the amount of initial deposit made and deposit shares purchased by such persons.

+  This Exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to the grant of a confidential treatment request.  The confidential portions of this Exhibit have been omitted and are marked by an asterisk.





Pursuant to the requirements of section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized:

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION


Date: November 25, 2008                                                                    /s/ WILLIAM P. NOGLOWS                                                        
William P. Noglows
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
[Principal Executive Officer]

Date: November 25, 2008                                                                    /s/ WILLIAM S. JOHNSON                                                        
William S. Johnson
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
[Principal Financial Officer]

Date: November 25, 2008                                                                    /s/ THOMAS S. ROMAN                                                        
Thomas S. Roman
Corporate Controller
[Principal Accounting Officer]



Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated:


Date: November 25, 2008                                                                      /s/ WILLIAM P. NOGLOWS                                                        
  William P. Noglows
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
[Director]

Date: November 25, 2008                                                                      /s/ ROBERT J. BIRGENEAU*
Robert J. Birgeneau
[Director]

Date: November 25, 2008                                                                      /s/ JOHN P. FRAZEE, JR.*
John P. Frazee, Jr.
[Director]

Date: November 25, 2008                                                                      /s/ H. LAURANCE FULLER*
H. Laurance Fuller
[Director]

Date: November 25, 2008                                                                      /s/ BARBARA A. KLEIN*
Barbara A. Klein
[Director]

Date: November 25, 2008                                                                      /s/ EDWARD J. MOONEY*
Edward J. Mooney
[Director]

Date: November 25, 2008                                                                      /s/ STEVEN V. WILKINSON*
Steven V. Wilkinson
[Director]

Date: November 25, 2008                                                                      /s/ BAILING XIA*
Bailing Xia
[Director]



* by H. Carol Bernstein as Attorney-in-fact pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



75

Exhibit 10.1
SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
 
CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION 2000 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

AS AMENDED AND RESTATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2008
 
1.           PURPOSE
 
The purpose of this Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to advance the interests of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the "Company") and its stockholders by enhancing the Company's ability to (a) attract and retain employees, directors, consultants and advisors who are in a position to make significant contributions to the success of the Company and its subsidiaries; (b) reward these individuals for these contributions; (c) encourage these individuals to take into account the long-term interests of the Company and its stockholders; and (d) reward individuals who have contributed to the Company's success (including the success of the Company's initial public offering), in the case of each of (a) through (d), through ownership of shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.001 per share ("Stock").
 
2.           ADMINISTRATION
 
(a)           The Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company (the "Committee").  The Committee shall hold meetings at such times as may be necessary for the proper administration of the Plan.  The Committee shall consist of at least two directors of the Company, each of whom shall be a "Non-Employee Director" as defined in Rule 16b-3(b)(3) promulgated under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act"), and (ii) to the extent necessary for any Award intended to qualify as "qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), to so qualify, each member of the Committee shall be an "outside director" (as defined in Section 162(m) and the regulations promulgated thereunder).  Subject to applicable law, the Committee may delegate its authority under the Plan to any other person or persons.
 
(b)           No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action, failure to act, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to this Plan or any transaction hereunder.  The Company hereby agrees to indemnify each member of the Committee for all costs and expenses and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any liability incurred in connection with defending against, responding to, negotiating for the settlement of or otherwise dealing with any claim, cause of action or dispute of any kind arising in connection with any actions in administering this Plan or in authorizing or denying authorization to any transaction hereunder.
 
(c)           Subject to the express terms and conditions set forth herein, the Committee shall have the power from time to time:
 
(i)           to determine the Employees, Directors and/or Advisors to whom Awards shall be granted under the Plan and the number of shares of Stock subject to such Awards; to prescribe the terms and conditions (which need not be identical) of each such Award; and to make any amendment or modification to any Award Agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan;
 
(ii)           to construe and interpret the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder; to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for the administration of the Plan, including, but not limited to, correcting any defect or supplying any omission, or reconciling any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in the manner and to the extent it shall deem necessary or advisable; to interpret the Plan and applicable Award Agreements so that the Plan and its operation complies with Section 16 of the 1934 Act, Sections 162(m), 409A and 422 of the Code and other applicable law; and otherwise to give full effect to the Plan;
 
(iii)           to exercise its discretion with respect to the powers and rights granted to it as set forth in the Plan; and
 
(iv)           generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as are deemed by it necessary or advisable to promote the best interests of the Company with respect to the Plan.
 
All decisions and determinations of the Committee in the exercise of the foregoing powers shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates, all Employees, Directors and Advisors, and all other persons claiming any interest herein.
 
3.           EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF PLAN
 
The Plan will become effective on the date on which it is adopted by the Board, subject to the approval of the Company's stockholders at the Annual Meeting on March 9, 2004.  No Award may be granted under the Plan after the tenth anniversary of the date on which this Plan was adopted by the Board, but Awards previously granted may extend beyond that date.
 
 
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4.           SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
 
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.6, and subject to the next following sentence and Section 6.3(a), the maximum number of shares of Stock that may be delivered under the Plan will be 9,500,000.
 
In addition, any Stock covered by an Option granted under the Plan, which is forfeited, cancelled or expires in whole or in part shall be deemed not to be delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Stock available for grants under the Plan.  Any shares of Stock surrendered to the Company in payment of the exercise price of Options issued under the Plan shall be deemed not to be delivered for purposes of determining the maximum number of shares of Stock available for grants under the Plan.  Upon forfeiture or termination of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units prior to vesting, the shares of Stock subject thereto shall again be available for Awards under the Plan.
 
In no event shall the Company issue ISOs (as defined in Section 6.2(a)) under the Plan covering more than 1,750,000 shares of Stock.
 
Awards granted through the assumption of, or in substitution or exchange for, similar awards in connection with the acquisition of another corporation or business entity shall not be counted for purposes of applying the limitations of this Section on numbers of shares of Stock available for Awards generally or any particular kind of Award under the Plan.
 
Stock delivered under the Plan may be either from authorized but unissued Stock, from treasury shares or from shares of Stock purchased in open-market transactions and private sales.
 
5.           ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
 
Employees of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates ("Employees"), non-employee members of the board of directors of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates ("Directors"), and consultants and advisors of the Company or any of its subsidiaries ("Advisors"), who in the opinion of the Committee are in a position to make a significant contribution to the success of the Company, its subsidiaries and affiliates, are eligible to receive Awards under the Plan.
 
For purposes of the Plan, "Service" means the provision of services to the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates in the capacity of (i) an Employee, (ii) a Director, or (iii) an Advisor.  An "affiliate" for purposes of the Plan is an entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with, the Company.  A "subsidiary" for purposes of the Plan is an entity in which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, equity interests possessing a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of equity.  The Committee will from time to time select the Employees, Directors and/or Advisors who are to be granted Awards ("Participants"), but no Participant shall receive Awards under the Plan covering more than 300,000 shares of Stock (subject to adjustment as provided in Section 8.6) in any calendar year.
 
6.           TYPES OF AWARDS
 
6.1.           RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.
 
(a)            Nature of Restricted Stock Award .  An Award of Restricted Stock entitles the recipient to acquire, at such time or times as the Committee may determine, shares of Stock subject to the restrictions described in paragraph (f) below ("Restricted Stock").
 
(b)            Restricted Stock Units .  An Award of Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") entitles the recipient to acquire, at such time or times as the Committee may determine, shares of Stock subject to the restrictions described in paragraph (f) below.  An RSU represents a contingent right to receive a Share or an amount equivalent in value to a Share.
 
(c)            Maximum Number .  In no event shall the Company issue more than 1,900,000 shares of Restricted Stock and/or RSUs, in the aggregate, under the Plan.
 
(d)            Payment for Restricted Stock .  The Committee may require, as a condition to an Award of Restricted Stock or RSUs, that a Participant deliver to the Company a purchase price in any amount set by the Committee for such Restricted Stock or RSUs.  In the discretion of the Committee, an Award Agreement evidencing an Award of Restricted Stock or RSUs may permit the Participant to pay some or all of the purchase price thereof, or to meet any Withholding Requirements to be met by the Participant in connection therewith, in the form of a note from the Participant on such terms as the Committee shall determine.  Such terms may include forgiveness of all or a portion of any such note upon such conditions as the Committee may specify.
 
 
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(e)            Rights as a Stockholder .  A Participant who receives an Award of Restricted Stock will have all the rights of a stockholder with respect to the Stock, including voting and dividend rights, subject to the restrictions described in paragraph (d) below and any other conditions imposed by the Committee in the Award Agreement at the time of grant.  The Award Agreement evidencing an Award of RSUs shall specify whether the Participant is entitled to any voting rights or to receive any dividends on the shares of Stock underlying the RSUs.  An Award of Restricted Stock or RSUs may provide for the right to receive on the payment date for any dividend on the Stock, cash compensation from the Company equal to the dividend that would have been paid on such shares of Restricted Stock or RSUs (or the Fair Market Value of such dividend, if such dividend would not have been paid in cash), if such shares had been issued and outstanding, fully vested and held by the Participant on the record date for payment of such dividend (a "Dividend Equivalent").
 
(f)            Restrictions .  The restrictions on each grant of Restricted Stock or RSUs will lapse at such time or times, and on such terms and conditions (including obtaining pre-established performance goals), as the Committee may specify.  Except as otherwise specifically provided by the Plan or by the Committee in any particular case, until these restrictions lapse, neither Restricted Stock nor RSUs may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of, except that Restricted Stock or RSUs may be pledged as security for the purchase price thereof, or for loans used to fund any or all of the purchase price thereof or Withholding Requirements met in connection with the purchase thereof.  If the Participant's Service terminates before such restrictions have lapsed, the Company shall have the right to repurchase the Restricted Stock for the amount of any consideration (excluding services) it received for the Restricted Stock plus, if the Committee shall so determine, an amount equal to the Withholding Requirements met by the Participant in connection with the sale of the Stock, or for such other consideration as the Committee shall determine, including for no consideration if no consideration other than services was paid for such Restricted Stock.  The Committee shall not accelerate the time at which the restrictions on all or any part of a grant of Restricted Stock will lapse, except as the Committee may determine to be appropriate in connection with a Participant's termination of Service.
 
(g)            Deferral .  If a Participant so elects in accordance with such procedures as the Committee may specify from time to time, in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the delivery of Restricted Stock and, if the deferral election so specifies, of the Dividend Equivalents with respect thereto, shall be deferred until the date or dates specified in such election.
 
(h)            Section 83(b) Election .  Under Section 83 of the Code, the difference between the purchase price paid for the Stock and its Fair Market Value (as defined in Section 6.2(b)) on the date any restrictions applicable to such shares lapse will be reportable as ordinary income at that time.  A Participant may elect to be taxed at the time the shares of Stock are acquired hereunder to the extent the Fair Market Value of the Stock differs from the purchase price rather than when and as such Stock ceases to be subject to restrictions, by filing an election under Section 83(b) of the Code with the I.R.S. within thirty (30) days after the grant date.  If the Fair Market Value of the Stock at the grant date equals the purchase price paid (and thus no tax is payable), the election must be made to avoid adverse tax consequences in the future.  The form for making this election is available from the Company.  The failure to make this filing within the thirty (30) day period will result in the recognition of ordinary income by the Participant (in the event the Fair Market Value of the Stock increases after the grant date) as the restrictions lapse. IT IS THE PARTICIPANT'S SOLE RESPONSIBILITY, AND NOT THE COMPANY'S, TO FILE A TIMELY ELECTION UNDER SECTION 83(b). A PARTICIPANT MUST RELY SOLELY ON THE PARTICIPANT'S OWN ADVISORS WITH RESPECT TO THE DECISION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT TO FILE AN 83(b) ELECTION.
 
6.2.           OPTIONS.
 
(a)            Nature of Options .  An Option is an Award entitling the recipient on exercise thereof to purchase shares of Stock at a specified exercise price.  Both incentive stock options (as defined in Section 422 of the Code) ("ISOs") and Options that are not ISOs may be granted under the Plan; provided that the Committee may award ISOs only to Employees.
 
(b)            Exercise Price .  The exercise price of an Option shall be determined by the Committee and set forth in an applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that the exercise price of an ISO shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of a share of the Stock on the date the ISO is granted (110% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant in the case of an ISO granted to an Employee who owns (within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code) stock possessing more than ten percent of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, or of a parent or a subsidiary (such person, a "Ten Percent Shareholder")).  For purposes of this Plan, "Fair Market Value" on any date means the closing sales price of the Stock on such date on the principal national securities exchange on which the Stock is listed or admitted to trading, or, if the Stock is not so listed or admitted to trading, the average of the per share closing bid price and per share closing asked price on such date as quoted on the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System or such other market in which such prices are regularly quoted, or, if there have been no published bid or asked quotations with respect to shares on such date, the Fair Market Value shall be the value established by the Board in good faith and in accordance with Section 409A of the Code and, in the case of an ISO, Section 422 of the Code.  Except for adjustment as provided in Section 8.6, any outstanding Options shall not be repriced.
 
(c)            Duration of Options .  The latest date on which an Option may be exercised will be the tenth anniversary of the date the Option was granted (five years in the case of an ISO granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder), or such earlier date as may have been specified by the Committee in the Award Agreement at the time the Option was granted.
 
(d)            Exercise of Options .  An Option will become exercisable at such time or times, and on such terms and conditions (including obtaining pre-established performance goals), as the Committee may specify in the Award Agreement for such Option.  The Committee may at any time accelerate the time at which all or any part of the Option may be exercised.
 
 
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Subject to the next following sentence, any exercise of an Option must be in writing, signed by the proper person and delivered or mailed to the Company, accompanied by (1) any documents required by the Committee and (2) payment in full for the number of shares for which the Option is exercised.  The exercise price for any Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may, if permitted under the Award Agreement applicable to the Option, be paid in the following forms: (a) cash; (b) the transfer, either actually or by attestation, to the Company of shares of Stock that have been held by the Participant for at least six months (or such lesser period as may be permitted by the Committee) prior to the exercise of the Option, such transfer to be upon such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee; (c) such other methods as the Committee makes available to Participants from time to time; or (d) a combination thereof.  In addition, Options may be exercised through a registered broker-dealer pursuant to such cashless exercise procedures which are, from time to time, deemed acceptable by the Committee.  Any shares of Stock transferred to the Company as payment of the exercise price under an Option shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the day of exercise of such Option.  If requested by the Committee, the Participant shall deliver the Award Agreement to the Secretary of the Company who shall endorse thereon a notation of such exercise and return such Award Agreement to the Participant. No fractional shares of Stock (or cash in lieu thereof) shall be issued upon exercise of an Option, and the number of shares of Stock that may be purchased upon exercise shall be rounded to the nearest number of whole shares.
 
(e)            Exercise Limit .  To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the date of the grant) of shares of Stock with respect to which ISOs granted under the Plan and "incentive stock options" (within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code) granted under all other plans of the Company or its subsidiaries (in either case determined without regard to this Section 6.2(e)) are exercisable by a Participant for the first time during any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such ISOs shall be treated as Options that are not ISOs.  In applying the limitation in the preceding sentence in the case of multiple Options, Options that are intended to be ISOs shall be treated as Options which are not ISOs according to the order in which they were granted, such that the most recently granted Options are first treated as Options that are not ISOs.
 
(f)           An ISO must be exercised, if at all, within three months after the Participant's termination of Service for a reason other than death or Disability and within twelve months after the Participant's termination of Service for death or Disability.
 
6.3.           SUBSTITUTE AWARDS.
 
(a)           In connection with any acquisition by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, the Committee may grant Awards to persons who became Employees, Directors or Advisors in connection with such acquisition in substitution for equity incentives held by them in the seller or acquired entity.  In such case the Committee may set the prices and other terms of the substitute Awards at such amounts and in such manner as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate to preserve for the Participants the economic values of the equity incentives for which such Awards are substitutes (as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion) or otherwise to provide such incentives as the Committee may determine are appropriate.
 
(b)           Unless required by applicable law, any substitute Awards granted pursuant to Section 6.3 shall not count toward the share limitations set forth in Section 4.
 
7.           EVENTS AFFECTING OUTSTANDING AWARDS
 
7.1.           TERMINATION OF SERVICE.
 
Unless otherwise set forth in an Award Agreement, an Award shall immediately terminate on the date a Participant's Service terminates, and (i) any Options held by a Participant shall not be exercisable and all rights of the Participant with respect thereto shall immediately terminate and (ii) any shares of Restricted Stock or RSUs with respect to which the restrictions have not lapsed shall be immediately forfeited and must be transferred to the Company in accordance with Section 6.1.
 
7.2           TERMINATION OF AWARD.
 
The Company may terminate, cancel, rescind or recover an Award immediately under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to a Participant's:
 
(a)           actions constituting "Cause", which shall have the meaning provided under an employment, consulting or other agreement between a Participant and the Company, or if there is no such meaning provided under such agreement or no such agreement, shall include, but not be limited to, the: (i) conviction of or entering a guilty plea with respect to a crime, whether or not connected with the Company; (ii) commission of any act of fraud with respect to the Company; (iii) theft, embezzlement or misappropriation of any property of the Company; (iv) excessive absenteeism (other than as resulting from Disability); (v) failure to observe or comply with any Company work rules, policies, procedures, guidelines or standards of conduct which the Company has adopted for the regulation of the general conduct of its employees, as generally known to the employees of the Company or evidenced by the terms of any employee handbook, written memorandums or written policy statements; (vi) continued willful refusal to carry out and perform the material duties and responsibilities of a Participant's position, excluding nonperformance resulting from Disability; or (vii) any other conduct or act determined to be injurious, detrimental or prejudicial to any interest of the Company (in each case as determined in good faith by the Company);
 
(b)           rendering of services for a competitor prior to, or within six (6) months after, the exercise of any Option or the termination of Participant's Service with the Company;
 
(c)           unauthorized disclosure of any confidential/proprietary information of the Company to any third party;
 
(d)           failure to comply with the Company's policies regarding the identification, disclosure and protection of intellectual property; or
 
(e)           violation of the Proprietary Rights Agreement/Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Employee Confidentiality, Intellectual Property and Non-Competition Agreement for Employees signed by the Participant.
 
The existence of any such circumstances shall be determined in good faith by the Company.
 
 
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In the event of any termination, cancellation, recision or revocation, the Participant shall return to the Company any Stock received pursuant to an Award, or pay to the Company the amount of any gain realized on the sale of any such Stock, in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be required, and the Company shall be entitled to set off against the amount of any such gain any amount owed to the Participant by the Company.  To the extent applicable, the Company will refund to the Participant any amount paid for such Stock, including Withholding Requirements.
 
7.3           CHANGE IN CONTROL.
 
The Committee shall have the discretion to provide in applicable Award Agreements that, in the event of a "Change in Control" (as defined in Appendix A) of the Company, the following provisions will apply:
 
(a)           Each outstanding Option (or such lesser portion of each Option as is set forth in an applicable Award Agreement) will immediately become exercisable in full.
 
(b)           Each outstanding share of Restricted Stock or RSU (or such lesser number of shares as is set forth in an applicable Award Agreement) will immediately become free of the restrictions.
 
(c)           In the event of a Change in Control that is a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or that results in the acquisition of substantially all the Company's outstanding Stock by a single person or entity or by a group of persons or entities acting in concert, or in the event of a sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company's assets (a "Covered Transaction"), the Committee shall have the discretion to provide for the termination of all outstanding Options as of the effective date of the Covered Transaction; provided, that, if the Covered Transaction follows a Change in Control or would give rise to a Change in Control, no Option will be so terminated (without the consent of the Participant) prior to the expiration of 20 days following the later of (i) the date on which the Award became fully exercisable and (ii) the date on which the Participant received written notice of the Covered Transaction.
 
8.           GENERAL PROVISIONS
 
8.1.           DOCUMENTATION OF AWARDS.
 
Awards will be evidenced by written instruments prescribed by the Committee from time to time (each such instrument, an "Award Agreement").  Award Agreements may be in the form of agreements, to be executed by both the Participant and the Company, or certificates, letters or similar instruments, acceptance of which will evidence agreement to the terms thereof and hereof.
 
8.2.           RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER; DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS.
 
Except as specifically provided by the Plan, the receipt of an Award will not give a Participant rights as a stockholder, and the Participant will obtain such rights, subject to any limitations imposed by the Plan or the Award Agreement, upon actual receipt of Stock.  However, the Committee may, on such conditions as it deems appropriate, provide in an Award Agreement that a Participant will receive a benefit in lieu of cash dividends that would have been payable on any or all Stock subject to the Participant's Award had such Stock been outstanding.  Without limitation, the Committee may provide for payment to the Participant of amounts representing such dividends, either currently or in the future, or for the investment of such amounts on behalf of the Participant; provided that the Committee shall design such payment to be exempt from or, in the alternative, comply with Section 409A of the Code and the interpretive guidance thereunder.
 
 
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8.3           CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK.
 
The Company will not be obligated to deliver any shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove any restriction from shares of Stock previously delivered under the Plan (a) until all conditions of the Award have been satisfied or removed, (b) until, in the opinion of the Company's counsel, all applicable federal and state laws and regulations have been complied with, (c) if the outstanding Stock is at the time listed on any stock exchange, until the shares to be delivered have been listed or authorized to be listed on such exchange upon official notice of notice of issuance and (d) until all other legal matters in connection with the issuance and delivery of such shares have been approved by the Company's counsel.  If the sale of Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Company may require, as a condition to exercise of the Award, such representations or agreements as counsel for the Company may consider appropriate to avoid violation of such Act and may require that the certificates evidencing such Stock bear an appropriate legend restricting transfer.
 
8.4.           TAX WITHHOLDING.
 
The Company will withhold from any payment made pursuant to an Award an amount as may be necessary sufficient to satisfy all minimum federal, state and local withholding tax requirements (the "Withholding Requirements").
 
The Committee will have the right to require that the Participant or other appropriate person remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy the Withholding Requirements, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Committee with regard to such requirements, prior to the delivery of any Stock.  If and to the extent that any such withholding is required, the Committee may permit the Participant or such other person to elect at such time and in such manner as the Committee provides to have the Company hold back from the shares to be delivered, or to deliver to the Company, Stock having a value calculated to satisfy the Withholding Requirements.
 
If at the time an ISO is exercised the Committee determines that the Company could be liable for Withholding Requirements with respect to a disposition of the Stock received upon exercise, the Committee may require as a condition of exercise that the person exercising the ISO agree (a) to inform the Company promptly of any disposition of Stock received upon exercise of the ISO, and (b) to give such security as the Committee deems adequate to meet the potential liability of the Company for the Withholding Requirements and to augment such security from time to time in any amount reasonably deemed necessary by the Committee to preserve the adequacy of such security.
 
8.5.           NONTRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS.
 
No Option shall be transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution or, in the case of an Option other than an ISO, pursuant to a domestic relations order (within the meaning of Rule 16a-12 promulgated under the Exchange Act), and an Option shall be exercisable during the lifetime of such Participant only by such Participant or such Participant's executor or administrator or by the person or persons to whom the Option is transferred by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution (such person, the Participant's "Legal Representative").  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Committee may set forth in an Award Agreement evidencing an Option (other than an ISO), that the Option may be transferred to members of the Participant's immediate family, to trusts solely for the benefit of such immediate family members and to partnerships in which such family members and/or trusts are the only partners, and for purposes of this Plan, such a transferee of an Option shall be deemed to be the Participant.  For this purpose, "immediate family" shall refer only to the Participant's spouse, parents, children, stepchildren and grandchildren and the spouses of such parents, children, stepchildren and grandchildren.  The terms of an Option shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the beneficiaries, executors, administrators, heirs and successors of the Participant.
 
8.6.           ADJUSTMENTS IN THE EVENT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS.
 
In the event that the outstanding shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number or kind of shares of stock, other securities or other property of the Company, an affiliate or another legal entity, whether through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend, stock split-up or other substitution of securities of the Company, an affiliate or another entity, the Committee shall proportionally adjust the maximum number and kind of shares of stock or other equity interest as to which Awards may be granted under the Plan and the number and kind of shares of stock or other equity interest with respect to which Awards have been granted under the Plan, the exercise prices for such shares or other equity interest subject to Options and any other economic terms of Awards granted under the Plan; and provided, that, in the event of a merger, acquisition or other business combination of the Company with or into another entity, any adjustment provided for in the applicable agreement and plan of merger (or similar document) shall be conclusively deemed to be appropriate for purposes of this Section 8.6.  The Committee's adjustment shall be final and binding for all purposes of the Plan and each Award Agreement entered into under the Plan.  Unless the Committee otherwise determines, no adjustment provided for in this Section 8.6 shall require the Company to issue a fractional share and, in such event, with respect to each Award Agreement the total adjustment as to the number of shares for which Awards have been granted shall be effected by rounding down to the nearest whole number of shares.
 
8.7.           PARTICIPANT'S RIGHTS.
 
Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the grant of Awards will confer upon any person any right to continued employment or Service with the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate or affect in any way the right of the Company any subsidiary or affiliate to terminate an employment or Service relationship at any time.
 
 
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8.8.           PAYMENT FOR STOCK; LOANS.
 
Stock awarded under this Plan as Restricted Stock or received upon exercise of an Option may be paid for with such legal consideration as the Committee may determine.  If and to the extent authorized by the Committee, the Company may permit Participants to pay for Stock with promissory notes, and may make loans to Participants of all or a portion of any Withholding Requirements to be met in connection with the grant, exercise or vesting of any Award. Any such extensions of credit may be secured by Stock or other collateral, or may be made on an unsecured basis, as the Committee may determine.
 
8.9.           SUCCESSORS.
 
All obligations of the Company under the Plan or any Award Agreement will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of the successor results from a direct or indirect purchase of all or substantially all of the Company's shares, or a merger, consolidation, or otherwise.
 
8.10.                      SEVERABILITY.
 
If any provision of the Plan is held illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity will not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
 
8.11.                      REQUIREMENTS OF LAW.
 
The granting of Awards and the issuance of Share and/or cash payouts under the Plan will be subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations, and to any approvals by governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.
 
8.12.                      SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE.
 
As to any individual who is, on the relevant date, an officer, director or ten percent beneficial owner of any class of the Company's equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, all as defined under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, transactions under this Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule.  To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Board fails to so comply, it will be deemed null and void, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Board.
 
8.13.                      AWARDS TO FOREIGN NATIONALS AND EMPLOYEES OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES.
 
To the extent the Board deems it necessary, appropriate or desirable to comply with foreign law or practice and to further the purposes of this Plan, the Board may, without amending the Plan, (i) establish rules applicable to Awards granted to Participants who are foreign nationals, are employed or providing Service outside the United States, or both, including rules that differ from those set forth in this Plan, and (ii) grant Awards to such Participants in accordance with those rules that would require the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.
 
8.14.                      GOVERNING LAW.
 
To the extent not preempted by federal law, the Plan and all agreements hereunder will be construed and enforced in accordance with, and governed by, the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its conflicts of laws principles that would require the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.  All references to statutory provisions and related regulatory provisions used herein shall include any similar or successor provisions.  The jurisdiction and venue for any disputes arising under, or any action brought to enforce (or otherwise relating to), this Plan shall be exclusively in the courts in the State of Illinois, County of Cook, including the Federal Courts located therein (should Federal jurisdiction exist).
 
8.15           SECTION 409A COMPLIANCE.
 
Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, all Awards made under this Plan are intended to be exempt from or, in the alternative, comply with Section 409A of the Code and the interpretive guidance thereunder, including the exceptions for stock rights and short-term deferrals.  The Plan shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.
 
 
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9.           PERFORMANCE -BASED RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS.
 
If the Committee makes Restricted Stock or RSU Awards that are designed to qualify for the performance-based exception from the tax deductibility limitations of Section 162(m) of the Code and any regulations promulgated thereunder, the Committee will determine the number of shares awarded and/or vesting of such Restricted Stock or RSU Awards using performance measures, which may include such measures as financial goals and business metrics such as revenue, gross margin, net income, operating income, earnings per share, return on operating assets or capital, cash flow ( e.g ., operating cash flow, free cash flow, discounted cash flow return on investment) market share, return to shareholders, cost management, business growth through market and technology extension, safety, improvement in technology and quality leadership, business processes, organizational effectiveness and operational excellence (all e.g. , absolute or peer-group comparative), and/or other performance measures set by the Board or Committee.
 
The Committee shall have the discretion to adjust the determinations of the degree of attainment of the preestablished performance objectives to reflect accounting changes or other events.  In addition, in the event that the Committee determines that it is advisable to grant Restricted Stock or RSU Awards that may not qualify for the performance-based exception, the Committee may make such grants without satisfying the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.
 
10.           DISCONTINUANCE, CANCELLATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
 
The Committee may at any time discontinue granting Awards under the Plan.  The Board may at any time or times amend the Plan and, with the consent of the holder thereof, any outstanding Award.  The Committee may at any time terminate the Plan as to any further grants of Awards, provided that (except to the extent expressly required or permitted by the Plan) no such amendment will, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, (a) increase the maximum number of shares available under the Plan, (b) extend the time within which Awards may be granted, or (c) amend the provisions of this Section 10, and no amendment or termination of the Plan may adversely affect the rights of any Participant (without his or her consent) under any Award previously granted.
 
Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan, the Committee, to the extent it deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, reserves the right, but shall not be required, to unilaterally amend or modify the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan so that the Award qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A of the Code; provided, however, that the Committee makes no representations that Awards granted under the Plan shall be exempt from or comply with Section 409A Code and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Code from applying to Awards granted under the Plan.
 
The Committee may not amend any Award to extend the exercise period beyond a date that is later than the earlier of the latest date upon which the Award could have expired by its original terms under any circumstances or the tenth anniversary of the original date of grant of the Award, or otherwise cause the Award to become subject to Section 409A of the Code.  However, if the exercise period of an Option is extended at a time when the exercise price of the Option equals or exceeds the Fair Market Value of the Stock that could be purchased (in the case of an Option) or the Fair Market Value of the Stock used to determine the payment to the Participant (in the case of a stock appreciation right), it is not an extension of the original Award.
 

 
CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
 

 
By:                                                                                                        
 
                                                                            Its:                                                                           

                                                                           Date:__________________

 
8

 

APPENDIX A TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED 2000
EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:

(a)           any "person" as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act (other than (i) the Company, (ii) any subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company, or (iv) any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), together with all Affiliates and Associates (as such terms are used in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the 1934 Act) of such person, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or

(b)           the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other company, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, at least sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) after which no "person" (with the method of determining "beneficial ownership" used in clause (a) of this definition) owns more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation; or

(c)           during any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of the Plan), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has conducted or threatened a proxy contest, or has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this definition) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; or

(d)           the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
 

 
9
Exhibit 10.2
Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan
[Initial][Annual] Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement for Directors


[AWARD DATE]


[Director Name]
[Director Address]

Dear [Director First Name]:

I am pleased to inform you (the “Participant) that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the “Company”), based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, has approved your participation in the Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated September 23, 2008 (the "Plan") in consideration of your [initial][annual] service as a Director of the Company. A Non-qualified Stock Option (“NQSO”) award (the “Award”) is hereby granted to the Participant pursuant to the terms of the Plan and this Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (the “Agreement”).  A copy of the Plan is enclosed.

Participant
Type of Grant
 
Number of Option Shares Granted
 
Exercise Price Per Share on Grant Date, [Annual Meeting Date for Annual; Date of Election/ Appointment for Initial]
 
Optionee ID Number
 
 
 
[Director Name]
 
Non-Qualified Stock Option
 
 
[_____]
 
 [FMV/closing price on Grant Date, which is Annual Meeting Date for Annual; Date of Election/ Appointment for Initial]
 
[xxx-xx-xxxx]
Grant Date [GD]
Vesting Dates
Expiration Date
 
Grant Number
[Annual Meeting Date for Annual; Date of Election/ Appointment for Initial ]
 
[for annual grant:
25%    1 st anniv. GD
25%    2d anniv. GD
25%    3d anniv. GD
25%    4 th anniv. GD]
[for initial grant:
25% GD
25% 1 st anniv. GD
25% 2d anniv. GD
25% 3d anniv. GD]
 
10 th anniv. GD
 
[xxxxxx]

This Agreement provides the Participant with the terms of the option (the “Option”) granted to the Participant.  The Option is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option pursuant to Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).  The terms specified in this Agreement are governed by the provisions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. The Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) has the exclusive authority to interpret and apply the Plan and this Agreement.  Any interpretation of the Agreement by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to the Agreement are final and binding on all persons.  To the extent that there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall govern. Capitalized terms used herein will have the same meaning as under the Plan, unless stated otherwise.

In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the Company and the Participant as follows:

 
1.
Vesting and Exercise . The Award shall become vested and exercisable in accordance with the following table:

Installment
Vesting Date Applicable to Installment
 
25%
25%
25%
25%
 
For annual/initial:
1 st anniv. GD/GD
2d anniv. GD/1 st anniv. GD
3d anniv. GD/2d anniv. GD
4 th anniv. GD/3d anniv. GD
 

The Award will be fully vested and exercisable in the event of a Change in Control, as defined in the Plan.  In the event of a Change in Control that constitutes a Covered Transaction (as defined in Section 7.3(c) of the Plan), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate any or all outstanding Options as of the effective date of the Covered Transaction; provided that the Committee may not terminate an Option outstanding under this Agreement earlier than twenty (20) days following the later of (i) the date on which the Award became fully exercisable, and (ii) the date on which the Participant received written notice of the Covered Transaction.

Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Plan, if the date of Participant’s termination of Service as a Director of the Company precedes the relevant Vesting Date, an installment shall not vest on the otherwise applicable Vesting Date and all Options subject to such installment shall immediately terminate as of the date of such termination of Service.
 
 
1


 
 
2.
Termination/Cancellation/Rescission.   The Company may terminate, cancel, rescind or recover an Award immediately under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s:

                     (a)
actions constituting Cause, as defined in the Plan, or the Company’s By-laws or Articles of Incorporation, as applicable;

                     (b)
rendering of services for a competitor prior to, or within six (6) months after, the exercise of any Option or the termination of Participant’s Service with the Company;

                     (c)
unauthorized disclosure of any confidential/proprietary information of the Company to any third party;

In the event of any such termination, cancellation, rescission or revocation, the Participant must return any Stock obtained by the Participant pursuant to the Award, or pay to the Company the amount of any gain realized on the sale of such Stock, and the Company shall be entitled to set-off against the amount of any such gain any amount owed to the Participant by the Company.  To the extent applicable, the purchase price for such Stock shall be returned to the Participant, including any withholding requirements.

 
3.
Expiration .  The Option, including vested Options, shall not be exercisable after the Company’s close of business on the last business day that occurs on or prior to the Expiration Date. The “Expiration Date” shall be the earliest to occur of:

(a)  
[Ten Years from GD];

(b)  
If the Participant’s termination of Service as a Director of the Company occurs by reason of Cause, the date preceding the date of such termination;

(c)  
If the Participant’s termination of Service as a Director of the Company is for any reason other than (b) above, all Options vested and exercisable as of the date of termination will remain exercisable until [ten years from GD].  In such case of termination of Service as a Director of the Company occurring by reason of death or Disability, then any Options unvested prior to the date of such termination shall be fully vested and exercisable as of such date of termination. For purposes hereof, Disability shall have the meaning of permanent and total disability provided within the meaning of Section 22 (e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

In the event that the Participant dies on or following the Participant’s termination date and prior to the Expiration Date without having fully exercised the Participant’s Options, then the authorized representative of the Participant’s estate shall be entitled to exercise the Award within such limits specified in subparagraphs (a) or (c).

To the extent that the Participant does not exercise the Option to the extent the Participant is entitled within the time specified in subparagraph (a) or (c) above, the Option shall immediately terminate.

 
4.
Method of Option Exercise . Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Participant may exercise, in whole or in part, the vested portion of the Option at any time by complying with any exercise procedures established by the Company in its sole discretion.  The Participant shall pay the exercise price for the portion of the Option being exercised to the Company in full, at the time of exercise, either:

(a)  
in cash;
 
(b)  
in shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price  for the shares of Stock being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee; provided, that, such shares of Stock have been held by the Participant for no less than six (6) months;
 
(c)  
partly in cash and partly in such shares of Stock; or

(d)  
through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate exercise price for the shares of Stock being purchased (“cashless exercise”).
 
Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, the Option cannot be exercised and the Company shall not be obligated to issue any shares of Stock hereunder if the Company determines that the issuance of such shares would violate the provision of any applicable law, including the rules and regulations of any securities exchange on which the Stock is traded.  Please refer to Section 6.2(d) of the Plan for additional information.
 
 
2


 
 
5.
Taxes.

 
         (a)
All deliveries and distributions under this Agreement are subject to all applicable taxes.  As a Director of the Company, the Participant is subject to Section 16 (an “Insider”), of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), as well as other relevant securities laws, and any surrender of previously owned shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon exercise of an Option, or a ‘cashless exercise’ must comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”), and other relevant law, regulations and Company guidelines.

 
         (b)
If the Fair Market Value of a share of stock on the date the Participant exercises the Option is greater than the Exercise Price, the Participant will be taxed on the difference multiplied by the number of shares purchased with cash at the date of exercise.  This income is taxed as ordinary income and subject to various taxes.  The income will be reported to the Participant as part of the Participant’s compensation on the Participant’s annual Form 1099 issued by the Company.

 
         (c)
If the Participant sells the shares acquired under the Option, a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss may also result depending on:  (i) the Participant’s holding period for the shares, and (ii) the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares at the time of the sale and the Participant’s tax basis in the shares.  The holding period is determined from the date the Option is exercised.  Under current law, the capital gain or loss is long term if the property is held for more than one (1) year, and short term if the property is held for less than one (1) year. If the Exercise Price of an Option is paid in cash, the tax basis of the shares thereby acquired is the sum of (i) the Exercise Price paid for the shares, and (ii) the ordinary income, if any, determined by the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares when exercised and the Exercise Price.

EACH PARTICIPANT IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OWN TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF FEDERAL, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

 
6.
Transferability .  The Option is not transferable other than: (a) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; (b) pursuant to a domestic relations order; or (c) to members of the Participant’s immediate family, to trusts solely for the benefit of such immediate family members or to partnerships in which family members and/or trusts are the only partners, all as provided under the terms of the Plan.  After any such transfer, the Option shall remain subject to the terms of the Plan.

 
7.
Adjustment of Shares .  In the event of any transaction described in Section 8.6 of the Plan, the terms of this Option (including, without limitation, the number and kind of shares subject to this Option and the Exercise Price) shall be adjusted as set forth in Section 8.6 of the Plan.

 
8.
Not an Employment Contract; Shareholder Rights.   The grant of an Option does not confer on the Participant any contractual employment or shareholder rights.  The Participant will not have shareholder rights with respect to any shares of stock subject to the Option until the Option is exercised and the shares are issued and transferred on the books of the Company to the Participant.  No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to such date, except as provided under the Plan.

 
9.
Severability .  In the event that any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction for any reason, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

 
10.
Waiver .  Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the Plan shall not be deemed a waiver of such term or condition.

 
11.
Notices .  Any notices provided for in this Agreement or the Plan must be in writing and hand delivered, sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail.  Notices are to be sent to the Participant at the address indicated by the Company’s records and to the Company at its principal executive office.

 
12.
Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the State of Illinois.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the Grant Date.

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
 
William P. Noglows
                                                                Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
 
 
3
Exhibit 10.4
Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan
Non-Qualified Stock Option Grant Agreement
(United States Employees)




GRANT DATE

NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear FIRST NAME:

I am pleased to inform you (the “Participant”) that the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the “Company”) has approved your participation in the Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated September 23, 2008 (the "Plan").   A Non-Qualified Stock Option (“NQSO”) award (the “Award”) is hereby granted to the Participant pursuant to the terms of the Plan and this Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (the “Agreement”).  A copy of the Plan can be electronically accessed through the CMC world directory under “HR Information/Stock/General Plan Information”.

 
PARTICIPANT
 
Type of Grant
Number of Option Shares Granted
Exercise Price Per Share on [grant date]
Participant ID Number
 
 
 
NAME
 
 
 
Non-qualified Stock Option
 
[____]
 
$XX.XX
[general: grant date (GD) fmv/close price]
 
XXX-XX-XXXX
Grant Date
Vesting Dates [general]
Expiration Date
 
Grant Number
[date of grant]
25%           1 st anniv. GD
25%           2danniv. GD
25%           3danniv. GD
25%           4 th anniv. GD
 
DATE             [general: tenth anniv. GD]
 
000000XXXX

This Agreement provides the Participant with the terms of the option (the “Option”) granted to the Participant.  The Option is not intended to qualify as an incentive stock option pursuant to Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”).  The terms specified in this Agreement are governed by the provisions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. The Committee has the exclusive authority to interpret and apply the Plan and this Agreement.  Any interpretation of the Agreement by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to the Agreement are final and binding on all persons.  To the extent that there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall govern. Capitalized terms used herein will have the same meaning as under the Plan, unless stated otherwise.

In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the Company and the Participant as follows:


1.
Vesting and Exercise .  The Award shall become vested and exercisable in accordance with the following table:
Installment
Vesting Date Applicable to Installment [general]
25%
25%
25%
25%
                                                           [1 st anniv.  GD]
[2d anniv. GD]
[3d anniv. GD]
[4 th anniv. GD]

The Award will be fully vested and exercisable in the event of a Change in Control, as defined in the Plan.  In the event of a Change in Control that constitutes a Covered Transaction (as defined in Section 7.3(c) of the Plan), the Committee may, in its sole discretion, terminate any or all outstanding Options as of the effective date of the Covered Transaction; provided that the Committee may not terminate an Option outstanding under this Agreement earlier than 20 days following the later of (i) the date on which the Award became fully exercisable, and (ii) the date on which the Participant received written notice of the Covered Transaction.

 
Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement or the Plan, if the date of Participant’s termination of Service with the Company, as defined in the Plan, precedes the relevant Vesting Date, an installment shall not vest on the otherwise applicable Vesting Date and all Options subject to such installment shall immediately terminate as of the date of such termination of Service.
 
 
1


 
2.
Termination / Cancellation / Rescission.   The Company may terminate, cancel, rescind or recover an Award immediately under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s:

(a)  
actions constituting Cause, as defined in the Plan and as otherwise enforceable under local law;

 
     (b)
rendering of services for a competitor prior to, or within six (6) months after, the exercise of any Option or the termination of Participant's Service with the Company;

 
     (c)
unauthorized disclosure of any confidential/proprietary information of the Company to any third party;

 
     (d)
failure to comply with the Company’s policies regarding the identification, disclosure and protection of intellectual property;

 
     (e)
violation of the Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Employee Confidentiality, Intellectual Property and Non-Competition Agreement.

 
In the event of any such termination, cancellation, rescission or revocation, the Participant must return any Stock obtained by the Participant pursuant to the Award, or pay to the Company the amount of any gain realized on the sale of such Stock, and the Company shall be entitled to set-off against the amount of any such gain any amount owed to the Participant by the Company.  To the extent applicable, the purchase price for such Stock shall be returned to the Participant, including any withholding requirements.

3.
Purpose of Award . The Award is intended to promote goodwill between the Participant and the Company and shall not be considered as salary or other remuneration for any employment or other services the Participant may perform for the Company or any of its affiliates.  The Company’s grant of the Option does not confer any contractual or other rights of employment or service with the Company.  Benefits granted under the Plan shall not be considered as part of the Participant’s salary in the event of severance, redundancy or resignation. Granting of the Award shall also not be construed as creating any right on the part of Participant to receive any additional benefits including awards in the future, it being expressly understood and agreed that any future awards shall be made solely at the discretion of the Company.
 
4.
Expiration .  The Option, including vested Options, shall not be exercisable after the Company’s close of business on the last business day that occurs on or prior to the Expiration Date. The “Expiration Date” shall be the earliest to occur of:

(a)  
[general: tenth anniv. GD];

         (b)
If the Participant’s termination of Service occurs by reason of death or Disability, the three (3) year anniversary of the date of such termination or the ten (10) year anniversary of the Grant Date, whichever is sooner.  In such case of termination of Service occurring by reason of death or Disability, then any unvested portion of the Option shall be fully vested and exercisable as of such date of termination. For purposes hereof, “Disability” shall have the meaning provided under: (i) first, an employment agreement between the Participant and the Company; (ii) second, if no such employment agreement exists, the long-term disability program maintained by the Company or any governmental entity covering the Participant; or (iii) third, if no such agreement or program exists, permanent and total disability within the meaning of Section 22 (e)(3) of the Code;

         (c)
If the Participant’s termination of Service occurs by reason of Cause, the date preceding the date of such termination;

         (d)
If the Participant’s termination of Service occurs by reason of Change in Control, three (3) months after the date of such termination;

         (e)
If the Participant’s termination of Service occurs by reason of Retirement, all Options vested and exercisable as of the date of such termination will remain exercisable until the ten (10) year anniversary of the Grant Date.  For purposes hereof, “Retirement” shall mean the termination of the Participant’s Service following the Participant’s attainment of at least (i) five years of employment with the Company and (ii) 55 years of age, provided, however , that the Participant’s termination of Service will not be deemed to have occurred by reason of Retirement if the Participant’s Service has been terminated by reason of Cause, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion; or

         (f)
If the Participant’s termination of Service is for any reason other than (b), (c), (d) or (e) above, all Options vested and exercisable as of the date of termination will remain exercisable for one (1) month after the termination date, after which all unexercised Options are terminated.

In the event that the Participant dies on or following the Participant’s termination date and prior to the Expiration Date without having fully exercised the Participant’s Options, then the authorized representative of the Participant’s estate shall be entitled to exercise the Award within such limits specified in subparagraphs (b), (d) or (e).

To the extent that the Participant does not exercise the Option to the extent the Participant is entitled within the time specified in subparagraphs (a), (b), (d) or (e) above, the Option shall immediately terminate.
 
 
2


 
5.    Method of Option Exercise .  Subject to the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Participant may exercise, in whole or in part, the vested portion of the Option at any time by complying with any exercise procedures established by the Company in its sole discretion.  The Participant shall pay the exercise price for the portion of the Option being exercised to the Company in full, at the time of exercise, either:
 
 
(a)  
in cash;
 
(b)  
in shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate exercise price  for the shares of Stock being purchased and satisfying such other requirements as may be imposed by the Committee; provided, that, such shares of Stock have been held by the Participant for no less than six months;
 
(c)  
partly in cash and partly in such shares of Stock; or
 
(d)  
through the delivery of irrevocable instructions to a broker to deliver promptly to the Company an amount equal to the aggregate exercise price for the shares of Stock being purchased (“cashless exercise”).
 
Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, the Option cannot be exercised and the Company shall not be obligated to issue any shares of Stock hereunder if the Company determines that the issuance of such shares would violate the provision of any applicable law, including the rules and regulations of any securities exchange on which the Stock is traded.  Please refer to Section 6.2(d) of the Plan for additional information.
 
6.  
Taxes.

          (a)
All deliveries and distributions under this Agreement are subject to withholding of all applicable taxes based on country specific tax requirement.  Please refer to electronic copy of “Taxes” for your individual circumstances based on your location.  The various methods and manner by which the tax withholding may be satisfied are set forth in Section 8.4 of the Plan.  If the Participant is subject to Section 16 (an “Insider”), of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”) and other securities laws, any surrender of previously owned shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon exercise of an Option must comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”) and other relevant rules and regulations.

          (b)
If the Fair Market Value of a share of stock on the date the Participant exercises the Option is greater than the Exercise Price, the Participant will be taxed on the difference multiplied by the number of shares purchased with cash at the date of exercise.  This income is taxed as ordinary income and subject to various withholding taxes.  The Company is required to withhold and remit these taxes to the appropriate tax authorities.  If the exercise of the Option results in no cash payment to the Participant from which the Company could withhold the income and FICA taxes, the Participant will be required to provide the Company with an amount of cash sufficient to satisfy the Participant’s tax withholding obligations or to make arrangements satisfactory to the Company with regard to such taxes, which in most instances can be done through the services provided by a broker.  If the Participant does not pay the amount of required withholding to the Company, the Company will withhold from the shares delivered or from other amounts payable to the Participant, the minimum amount of funds required to cover all applicable federal, state and local income and employment taxes required to be withheld by the Company by reason of such exercise of the Option.  The income will be reported to the Participant as part of the Participant’s employment compensation on the Participant’s annual earnings statement.

          (c)
If the Participant sells the shares acquired under the Option, a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss may also result depending on:  (i) the Participant’s holding period for the shares, and (ii) the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares at the time of the sale and the Participant’s tax basis in the shares.  The holding period is determined from the date the Option is exercised.  Under current law, the capital gain or loss is long term if the property is held for more than one year, and short term if the property is held for less than one year. If the Exercise Price of an Option is paid in cash, the tax basis of the shares thereby acquired is the sum of (i) the Exercise Price paid for the shares, and (ii) the ordinary income, if any, determined by the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares when exercised and the Exercise Price.

 
EACH PARTICIPANT IS URGED TO REVIEW THE U.S. TAX COMMUNICATION INFORMATION AND TO CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF FEDERAL, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

7.
Transferability . The Option is not transferable other than: (a) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; (b) pursuant to a domestic relations order; or (c) to members of the Participant’s immediate family, to trusts solely for the benefit of such immediate family members or to partnerships in which family members and/or trusts are the only partners, all as provided under the terms of the Plan.  After any such transfer, the Option shall remain subject to the terms of the Plan.

8.
Adjustment of Shares .  In the event of any transaction described in Section 8.6 of the Plan, the terms of this Option (including, without limitation, the number and kind of shares subject to this Option and the Exercise Price) shall be adjusted as set forth in Section 8.6 of the Plan.

9.
Shareholder Rights.   Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Stock subject to the Option until the Option is exercised and the shares are issued and transferred on the books of the Company to the Participant.  No adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions or other rights for which the record date is prior to such date, except as provided under the Plan.

10.
Data Privacy .  In order to perform its requirements under this Plan, the Company may process sensitive personal data about the Participant.  Such data includes but is not limited to the information provided in this grant package and any changes thereto, other appropriate personal and financial data about the Participant, and information about the Participant’s participation in the Plan and shares exercised under the Plan from time to time.  By signing the attached acceptance form, the Participant hereby gives explicit consent to the Company to process any such data.  The Participant also hereby gives explicit consent to the Company   to transfer any personal data outside the country in which the Participant is employed and to the United States.  The legal persons for whom the personal data is intended includes the Company and any of its subsidiaries, the outside plan administrator as selected by the Company from time to time and any other person that the Company may find appropriate in its administration of the Plan.  The Participant may review and correct any personal data by contacting his local Human Resources Representative. The Participant understands that the transfer of the information outlined here is important to the administration of the Plan and failure to consent to the transmission of such information may limit or prohibit participation in the Plan.
 
 
3


 
11.
Severability .  In the event that any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction for any reason, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

12.
Waiver .  Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the Plan shall not be deemed a waiver of such term or condition.

13.
Notices .  Any notices provided for in this Agreement or the Plan must be in writing and hand delivered, sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail.  Notices are to be sent to the Participant at the address indicated by the Company’s records and to the Company at its principal executive office.

14.
Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the State of Illinois.


 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the Grant Date.

 
    CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
 
     William P. Noglows
                                                              Chairman and Chief Executive Officer





4


 







Exhibit 10.5
Second Amended and Restated
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Award Agreement
(United States Employees)



AWARD DATE

NAME
ADDRESS
CITY, STATE ZIP

Dear FIRST NAME:

I am pleased to inform you that the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Committee”) of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the “Company”) has approved your participation in the Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated September 23, 2008 (the "Plan") as a means of allowing you to participate in the success of the Company through ownership of Company common stock (“Stock”). A Restricted Stock Award (the “Award”) is hereby awarded to you (the “Participant”) pursuant to the terms of the Plan and this Restricted Stock Agreement (the “Agreement”).  A copy of the Plan can be electronically accessed through the CMC world directory under “HR Information/Stock/General Plan Information.”

Participant
Type of Award
 
Number of Restricted Shares Awarded
 
 
Fair Market Value of Restricted Shares on Date of Award
 
Participant ID Number
NAME
 
 
Restricted Stock
 
[_________]
$XX.XX
[general: award date (AD) fmv/close price]
[xxx-xx-xxxx]
 
Date of Award
Date Restrictions Lapse (Vesting Date(s))
[general]
Award Number
 
 
[award date]
25% 1 st anniv. AD
25% 2danniv. AD
25% 3danniv. AD
25% 4 th anniv. AD
[xxxxx]


This Agreement provides the Participant with the terms of the Award granted to the Participant. The terms specified in this Agreement are governed by the provisions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. The Committee has the exclusive authority to interpret and apply the Plan and this Agreement.  Any interpretation of the Agreement by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to the Agreement are final and binding on all persons.  To the extent that there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall govern. Capitalized terms used herein will have the same meaning as under the Plan, unless stated otherwise.

In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the Company and the Participant, as follows:

1.  
Vesting Dates and Lapse of Restrictions .  The Award shall become vested and the restrictions will lapse in accordance with the following table:

 
Number of Shares
[general]
 
Vesting Date
[general]
25%
25%
25%
25%
[1 st anniv.  AD]
[2d anniv. AD]
[3d anniv. AD]
                                                           [4 th anniv.  AD]

The Award will be fully vested and all restrictions shall lapse in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or a Change in Control, as defined in the Plan.  Upon the Participant’s termination of Service, as defined in the Plan, for any reason other than death or Disability, the Participant shall immediately cease vesting in the Award and the unvested portion of the Award shall be forfeited immediately.

For purposes hereof, “Disability” shall have the meaning provided under: (i) first, an employment agreement between the Participant and the Company; (ii) second, if no such employment agreement exists, the long-term disability program maintained by the Company or any governmental entity covering the Participant; or (iii) third, if no such agreement or program exists, as defined under local law.  In addition, for purposes of this Agreement, the Participant’s date of termination (for any reason other than death or Disability) shall be the earlier of: (i) the date on which the Participant ceases to render service to or be employed by the Company, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion; (ii) the date on which the Company first provides notice of termination of employment; or (iii) the first date of any statutory notice period provided under local law.
 
 
1


 
2.  
Termination / Cancellation / Rescission.   The Company may terminate, cancel, rescind or recover the Award immediately under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s:

(a)  
actions constituting Cause, as defined in the Plan and as otherwise enforceable under local law;

(b)  
rendering of services for a competitor prior to, or within six (6) months after, the exercise of any Award or the termination of Participant's Service with the Company;

(c)  
unauthorized disclosure of any confidential/proprietary information of the Company to any third party;


(d)  
failure to comply with the Company’s policies regarding the identification, disclosure and protection of intellectual property;

(e)  
violation of the Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Employee Confidentiality, Intellectual Property and Non-Competition Agreement.

In the event of any such termination, cancellation, rescission or revocation, the Participant must return any Stock obtained by the Participant pursuant to the Award, or pay to the Company the amount of any gain realized on the sale of such Stock, and the Company shall be entitled to set-off against the amount of any such gain any amount owed to the Participant by the Company.  To the extent applicable, the purchase price for such Stock shall be returned to the Participant, including any withholding requirements.

3.  
Purpose of Award . The Award is intended to promote goodwill between the Participant and the Company and shall not be considered as salary or other remuneration for any employment or other services the Participant may perform for the Company or any of its affiliates.  The Company’s grant of the Award does not confer any contractual or other rights of employment or service with the Company.  Benefits granted under the Plan shall not be considered as part of the Participant’s salary in the event of severance, redundancy or resignation. Granting of the Award shall also not be construed as creating any right on the part of Participant to receive any additional benefits including awards in the future, it being expressly understood and agreed that any future awards shall be made solely at the discretion of the Company.  
 
4.  
Rights and Restrictions Governing Restricted Stock .  As of the Date of Award, one or more certificates representing the appropriate number of shares of Stock granted to the Participant shall be registered in the Participant’s name but shall be held by the Company for the Participant’s account.  The Participant shall have all rights of a holder as to such shares of Stock (including, to the extent applicable, the right to receive dividends and to vote), subject to the following restrictions:  (a) the Participant has executed a valid stock power on behalf of the Company for such Stock; (b) the Participant shall be entitled to delivery of certificates representing shares of Stock when restrictions lapse; and (c) none of the Stock may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of until the restrictions have lapsed.

5.  
Delivery of Restricted Stock .  As soon as reasonably practicable following the date on which restrictions lapse, one or more stock certificates for the appropriate number of shares of Stock, free of the restrictions set forth in the Agreement, shall be delivered to the Participant or such shares shall be credited to a brokerage account if the Participant so directs; provided however, that such certificates shall bear such legends as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine to be necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable federal and state securities laws.

6.  
Tax Treatment . The Participant will be taxed on the difference between any purchase price and the  Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the restrictions lapse. This income will be taxed as ordinary income and subject to income and FICA withholding taxes. The Company is required to withhold and remit these taxes to the appropriate tax authorities. The Participant will be required to provide the Company with an amount of cash sufficient to satisfy the Participant’s tax withholding obligations or to make arrangements satisfactory to the Company with regard to such taxes.  The income will be reported to the Participant as part of the Participant's employment compensation on the Participant's annual earnings statement Form W-2.

The Participant may elect to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to have any ordinary income amount taxed currently, before any restrictions lapse.  This election must be filed within thirty (30) days of the Date of Award.  Attached hereto is a form of election for this purpose.

If the Participant sells the Stock acquired under the Award, a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss will result depending on:  (a) the holding period for the shares, and (b) the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares at the time of the sale and the Participant’s tax basis in the shares.  The holding period is determined from the date the restrictions lapse.  Under current law the capital gain or loss is long term if the property is held for more than one (1) year, and short term of the property is held for less than one year.  The tax basis of the shares is the sum of (a) any purchase price paid for the shares, and (b) the ordinary income, if any, determined by the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares when the restrictions lapse or an 83(b) election is made, and any purchase price.

EACH PARTICIPANT IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF FEDERAL, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS.
 
 
2


 
           7.
Tax Withholding .  All deliveries and distributions under this Agreement are subject to withholding of all applicable taxes. The various methods and manner by which tax withholding may be satisfied are set forth in Section 8.4 of the Plan.  If the Participant is subject to Section 16 (an “Insider”), of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), any surrender of previously owned shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising under an Award must comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”).

           8.
Transferability .  The Award Stock is not transferable other than: (a) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; (b) pursuant to a domestic relations order; or (c) to members of the Participant’s immediate family, to trusts solely for the benefit of such immediate family members or to partnerships in which family members and/or trusts are the only partners, all as provided under the terms of the Plan.  After any such transfer, the Award Stock shall remain subject to the terms of the Plan.

           9.
Adjustment of Shares .  In the event of any transaction described in Section 8.6 of the Plan, the terms of this Award (including, without limitation, the number and kind of shares subject to this Award) shall be adjusted as set forth in Section 8.6 of the Plan.

          10.
Severability .  In the event that any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction for any reason, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

          11.
Waiver .  Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the Plan shall not be deemed a waiver of such term or condition.

          12.
Notices .  Any notices provided for in this Agreement or the Plan must be in writing and hand delivered, sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail.  Notices are to be sent to the Participant at the address indicated by the Company’s records and to the Company at its principal executive office.

          13.
Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the State of Illinois.

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the Date of Award.

    CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION


William P. Noglows
           President and Chief Executive Officer

 
 
3

Exhibit 10.6
Second Amended and Restated
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan
[Initial][Annual] Restricted Stock Award Agreement for Directors

[AWARD DATE]
[NAME]
[ADDRESS]
[CITY, STATE, ZIP]

Dear FIRST NAME:

I am pleased to inform you (the “Participant”) that the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the “Company”), based on the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board, has approved your participation in the Second Amended and Restated Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated September 23, 2008 (the "Plan") in consideration of your [initial[annual] service as a Director of the Company.  A Restricted Stock Award (the “Award”) is hereby awarded to the Participant pursuant to the terms of the Plan and this Restricted Stock Agreement (the “Agreement”).  A copy of the Plan is enclosed.

Participant
Type of Award
 
Number of Restricted Shares Awarded
 
 
Fair Market Value of Restricted Shares on Date of Award, [Annual Meeting for Annual; Date of Election/ Appointment for Initial]
 
Participant ID Number
 
 
 
[NAME]
 
 
 
Restricted Stock
 
 
[______]
[Fmv/closing price on Award Date]
$XX.XX
 
 
[xxx-xx-xxxx]
Date of Award [AD]
Date Restrictions Lapse (Vesting Date(s))
[equally, in quarters, over 4 yrs., beginning on first anniversary, for annual; equally, in quarters, over 3 yrs., beginning on AD, for initial]]
Award Number
 
 
[Annual Meeting Date for Annual][Date of Appointment for Initial]
 
 
25% [1 st anniv. AD]; [AD]
25% [2d anniv. AD];[1 st anniv.AD]
25%[3d anniv. AD];[2danniv.AD]
25%[4 th anniv. AD];[3danniv.AD]
 
[xxxxx]

This Agreement provides the Participant with the terms of the Award granted to the Participant. The terms specified in this Agreement are governed by the provisions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. The Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Committee”) has the exclusive authority to interpret and apply the Plan and this Agreement.  Any interpretation of the Agreement by the Committee and any decision made by it with respect to the Agreement are final and binding on all persons.  To the extent that there is any conflict between the terms of this Agreement and the Plan, the Plan shall govern. Capitalized terms used herein will have the same meaning as under the Plan, unless stated otherwise.

In consideration of the foregoing and the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth, it is agreed by and between the Company and the Participant, as follows:

1.  
Vesting Dates and Lapse of Restrictions .  The Award shall become vested and the restrictions will lapse in accordance with the following table:

Number of Shares
Vesting Date(s)
[equally, in quarters, over 4 years, beginning on first anniversary for annual; equally, in quarters, over 3 years, beginning on AD for initial]
25%
25%
25%
25%
[1 st anniv. AD]; [AD]
[2d anniv. AD]; [1 st anniv. AD]
[3d anniv. AD]; [2d anniv. AD]
[4 th anniv. AD]; [3d anniv. AD]

The Award will be fully vested and all restrictions shall lapse in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or a Change in Control, as defined in the Plan.  Upon the Participant’s termination of Service as a Director of the Company for any reason other than death or Disability, the Participant shall immediately cease vesting in the Award and the unvested portion of the Award shall be forfeited immediately.

For purposes hereof, “Disability” shall have the meaning of permanent and total disability provided within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
 
 
 
1

 

 
2.  
Termination / Cancellation / Rescission.   The Company may terminate, cancel, rescind or recover the Award immediately under certain circumstances, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s:

(a)  
actions constituting Cause, as defined in the Plan, or the Company’s By-laws or Articles of Incorporation, as applicable;

(b)  
rendering of services for a competitor prior to, or within six (6) months after, the exercise of any Award or the termination of Participant's Service with the Company;

(c)  
unauthorized disclosure of any confidential/proprietary information of the Company to any third party.

In the event of any such termination, cancellation, rescission or revocation, the Participant must return any Stock obtained by the Participant pursuant to the Award, or pay to the Company the amount of any gain realized on the sale of such Stock, and the Company shall be entitled to set-off against the amount of any such gain any amount owed to the Participant by the Company.  To the extent applicable, the purchase price for such Stock shall be returned to the Participant, including any withholding requirements.

3.  
Rights and Restrictions Governing Restricted Stock .  As of the Date of Award, one or more certificates representing the appropriate number of shares of Stock granted to the Participant shall be registered in the Participant’s name but shall be held by the Company for the Participant’s account.  The Participant shall have all rights of a holder as to such shares of Stock (including, to the extent applicable, the right to receive dividends and to vote), subject to the following restrictions:  (a) the Participant has executed a valid stock power on behalf of the Company for such Stock; (b) the Participant shall be entitled to delivery of certificates representing shares of Stock when restrictions lapse; and (c) none of the Stock may be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of until the restrictions have lapsed.
 

4.  
Delivery of Restricted Stock .  As soon as reasonably practicable following the date on which restrictions lapse, one or more stock certificates for the appropriate number of shares of Stock, free of the restrictions set forth in the Agreement, shall be delivered to the Participant or such shares shall be credited to a brokerage account if the Participant so directs; provided however, that such certificates shall bear such legends as the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine to be necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable federal and state securities laws.

5.  
Tax Treatment . The Participant will be taxed on the difference between any purchase price and the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the restrictions lapse. This income will be taxed as ordinary income but will not subject to any withholding taxes. Instead, the Participant is required to pay any applicable taxes to the appropriate tax authorities directly.  The income will be reported to the Participant as part of the Participant’s fees on the Participant’s annual Form 1099 issued by the Company.

The Participant may elect to make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to have any ordinary income amount taxed currently, before any restrictions lapse.  This election must be filed within thirty (30) days of the Date of Award.  Attached hereto is a form of election for this purpose.

If the Participant sells the Stock acquired under the Award, a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss will result depending on:  (a) the holding period for the shares, and (b) the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares at the time of the sale and the Participant’s tax basis in the shares.  The holding period is determined from the date the restrictions lapse.  Under current law the capital gain or loss is long term if the property is held for more than one (1) year, and short term of the property is held for less than one year.  The tax basis of the shares is the sum of (a) any purchase price paid for the shares, and (b) the ordinary income, if any, determined by the difference between the Fair Market Value of the shares when the restrictions lapse or an 83(b) election is made, and any purchase price.

EACH PARTICIPANT IS URGED TO CONSULT WITH HIS OR HER OWN TAX ADVISOR TO DETERMINE THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF FEDERAL, LOCAL AND OTHER TAX LAWS.

6.  
Tax Withholding .  All deliveries and distributions under this Agreement are not subject to tax withholding unless required under applicable law.  Notwithstanding, the Participant voluntarily may elect to have the Company withhold any applicable taxes in accord with and as permitted by Section 8.4 of the Plan.  As a Director of the Company, the Participant is subject to Section 16 (an “Insider”), of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), and any surrender of previously owned shares to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising under an Award must comply with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act (“Rule 16b-3”), and any other relevant law, regulations and Company guidelines.
 
 
 
2

 

 
7.  
Transferability .  The Award Stock is not transferable other than: (a) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; (b) pursuant to a domestic relations order; or (c) to members of the Participant’s immediate family, to trusts solely for the benefit of such immediate family members or to partnerships in which family members and/or trusts are the only partners, all as provided under the terms of the Plan.  After any such transfer, the Award Stock shall remain subject to the terms of the Plan.

8.  
Adjustment of Shares .  In the event of any transaction described in Section 8.6 of the Plan, the terms of this Award (including, without limitation, the number and kind of shares subject to this Award) shall be adjusted as set forth in Section 8.6 of the Plan.

9.  
Not an Employment Contract .  The Company’s grant of the Award does not confer any contractual or other rights of employment or service with the Company.

10.  
Severability .  In the event that any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid, illegal or incapable of being enforced by any court of competent jurisdiction for any reason, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

11.  
Waiver .  Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the terms and conditions of this Agreement or the Plan shall not be deemed a waiver of such term or condition.

12.  
Notices .  Any notices provided for in this Agreement or the Plan must be in writing and hand delivered, sent by fax or overnight courier, or by postage paid first class mail.  Notices are to be sent to the Participant at the address indicated by the Company’s records and to the Company at its principal executive office.

13.  
Governing Law .  This Agreement shall be construed under the laws of the State of Illinois.




 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name and on its behalf, all as of the Date of Award.

    CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
                                                                                      William P. Noglows
           President and Chief Executive Officer

 
 
3
Exhibit 10.22
The CORPORATEplan
for Retirement SM
Fidelity Basic Plan Document No. 02


The CORPORATEplan for Retirement SM  Basic Plan Document 02
 10/9/2003

Ó 2003 FMR Corp.
All rights reserved.

 
1

 

The CORPORATEplan
for Retirement SM

Preamble .
Article 1.   Adoption Agreement .
Article 2.   Definitions .
 
2.01.  Definitions.
 
2.02.  Pronouns.
 
2.03.  Special Effective Dates.
Article 3.   Service .
 
3.01.  Crediting of Eligibility Service
 
3.02.  Re-Crediting of Eligibility Service Following Termination of Employment.
 
3.03.  Crediting of Vesting Service.
 
3.04.  Application of Vesting Service to a Participant's Account Following a Break in Vesting Service.
 
3.05.  Service with Predecessor Employer.
 
3.06.  Change in Service Crediting.
Article 4.   Participation .
 
4.01.  Date of Participation.
 
4.02.  Transfers Out of Covered Employment.
 
4.03.  Transfers Into Covered Employment.
 
4.04.  Resumption of Participation Following Reemployment.
Article 5.   Contributions .
 
5.01.  Contributions Subject to Limitations.
 
5.02.  Compensation Taken into Account in Determining Contributions.
 
5.03.  Deferral Contributions.
 
5.04.  Employee Contributions.
 
5.05.  No Deductible Employee Contributions.
 
5.06.  Rollover Contributions.
 
5.07.  Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions.
 
5.08.  Matching Employer Contributions.
 
5.09.  Qualified Matching Employer Contributions.
 
5.10.  Nonelective Employer Contributions.
 
5.11.  Vested Interest in Contributions.
 
5.12.  Time for Making Contributions.
 
5.13.  Return of Employer Contributions.
Article 6.   Limitations on Contributions .
 
6.01.  Special Definitions.
 
6.02.  Code Section 402(g) Limit on Deferral Contributions.
 
6.03.  Additional Limit on Deferral Contributions
 
6.04.  Allocation and Distribution of "Excess Contributions"
 
6.05.  Reductions in Deferral Contributions to Meet Code Requirements.
 
6.06.  Limit on Matching Employer Contributions and Employee Contributions
 
6.07.  Allocation, Distribution, and Forfeiture of "Excess Aggregate Contributions"
 
6.08.  Aggregate Limit on "Contribution Percentage Amounts" and "Includable Contributions"
 
6.09.  Income or Loss on Distributable Contributions.
 
6.10.  Deemed Satisfaction of "ADP" Test

 
2

 

 
6.11.  Deemed Satisfaction of "ACP" Test With Respect to Matching Employer Contributions
 
6.12.  Code Section 415 Limitations.
Article 7.   Participants' Accounts .
 
7.01.  Individual Accounts.
 
7.02.  Valuation of Accounts.
Article 8.   Investment of Contributions .
 
8.01.  Manner of Investment.
 
8.02.  Investment Decisions.
 
8.03.  Participant Directions to Trustee.
Article 9.   Participant Loans .
 
9.01.  Special Definitions.
 
9.02.  Participant Loans.
 
9.03.  Separate Loan Procedures
 
9.04.  Availability of Loans.
 
9.05.  Limitation on Loan Amount.
 
9.06.  Interest Rate.
 
9.07.  Level Amortization.
 
9.08.  Security.
 
9.09.  Transfer and Distribution of Loan Amounts from Permissible Investments.
 
9.10.  Default.
 
9.11.  Effect of Termination Where Participant has Outstanding Loan Balance.
 
9.12.  Deemed Distributions Under Code Section 72(p).
 
9.13.  Determination of Account Value Upon Distribution Where Plan Loan is Outstanding.
Article 10.   In-Service Withdrawals .
 
10.01.  Availability of In-Service Withdrawals.
 
10.02.  Withdrawal of Employee Contributions.
 
10.03.  Withdrawal of Rollover Contributions.
 
10.04.  Age 59 1/2 Withdrawals.
 
10.05.  Hardship Withdrawals.
 
10.06.  Preservation of Prior Plan In-Service Withdrawal Rules.
 
10.07.  Restrictions on In-Service Withdrawals.
 
10.08.  Distribution of Withdrawal Amounts.
Article 11.   Right to Benefits .
 
11.01.  Normal or Early Retirement.
 
11.02.  Late Retirement.
 
11.03.  Disability Retirement.
 
11.04.  Death.
 
11.05.  Other Termination of Employment.
 
11.06.  Application for Distribution.
 
11.07.  Application of Vesting Schedule Following Partial Distribution.
 
11.08.  Forfeitures.
 
11.09.  Application of Forfeitures.
 
11.10.  Reinstatement of Forfeitures.
 
11.11.  Adjustment for Investment Experience
Article 12.   Distributions .
 
12.01.  Restrictions on Distributions.
 
12.02.  Timing of Distribution Following Retirement or Termination of Employment.

 
3

 

 
12.03.  Participant Consent to Distribution.
 
12.04.  Required Commencement of Distribution to Participants.
 
12.05.  Required Commencement of Distribution to Beneficiaries.
 
12.06.  Whereabouts of Participants and Beneficiaries.
Article 13.   Form of Distribution .
 
13.01.  Normal Form of Distribution Under Profit Sharing Plan.
 
13.02.  Cash Out Of Small Accounts.
 
13.03.  Minimum Distributions.
 
13.04.  Direct Rollovers.
 
13.05.  Notice Regarding Timing and Form of Distribution.
 
13.06.  Determination of Method of Distribution.
 
13.07.  Notice to Trustee.
Article 14.   Superseding Annuity Distribution Provisions .
 
14.01.  Special Definitions.
 
14.02.  Applicability.
 
14.03.  Annuity Form of Payment.
 
14.04.  "Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity" and "Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity Requirements".
 
14.05.  Waiver of the "Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity" and/or "Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity Rights".
 
14.06.  Spouse's Consent to Waiver.
 
14.07.  Notice Regarding "Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity"
 
14.08.  Notice Regarding "Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity"
 
14.09.  Former Spouse.
Article 15.   Top-Heavy Provisions .
 
15.01.  Definitions.
 
15.02.  Application.
 
15.03.  Minimum Contribution.
 
15.04.  Modification of Allocation Provisions to Meet Minimum Contribution Requirements.
 
15.05.  Adjustment to the Limitation on Contributions and Benefits.
 
15.06.  Accelerated Vesting.
 
15.07.  Exclusion of Collectively-Bargained Employees.
Article 16.   Amendment and Termination .
 
16.01.  Amendments by the Employer that do Not Affect Prototype Status.
 
16.02.  Amendments by the Employer that Affect Prototype Status.
 
16.03.  Amendment by the Mass Submitter Sponsor and the Prototype Sponsor..
 
16.04.  Amendments Affecting Vested and/or Accrued Benefits.
 
16.05.  Retroactive Amendments.
 
16.06.  Termination.
 
16.07.  Distribution upon Termination of the Plan.
 
16.08.  Merger or Consolidation of Plan; Transfer of Plan Assets.
Article 17.   Amendment and Continuation of Prior Plan; Transfer of Funds to or from Other Qualified Plans .
 
17.01.  Amendment and Continuation of Prior Plan.
 
17.02.  Transfer of Funds from an Existing Plan.
 
17.03.  Acceptance of Assets by Trustee.
 
17.04.  Transfer of Assets from Trust.
Article 18.   Miscellaneous .
 
18.01.  Communication to Participants.
 
18.02.  Limitation of Rights.
 
18.03.  Nonalienability of Benefits.
 
18.04.  Qualified Domestic Relations Orders Procedures.
 
18.05.  Additional Rules for Paired Plans.
 
18.06.  Application of Plan Provisions in Multiple Employer Plans.
 
18.07.  Veterans Reemployment Rights.
 
18.08.  Facility of Payment.
 
18.09.  Information between Employer and Trustee.
 
18.10.  Effect of Failure to Qualify Under Code.
 
18.11.  Directions, Notices and Disclosure.
 
18.12.  Governing Law.
Article 19.   Plan Administration .
 
19.01.  Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator.
 
19.02.  Nondiscriminatory Exercise of Authority.
 
19.03.  Claims and Review Procedures.
 
19.04.  Named Fiduciary.
 
19.05.  Costs of Administration.
Article 20.   Trust Agreement .
 
20.01.  Acceptance of Trust Responsibilities.
 
20.02.  Establishment of Trust Fund.
 
20.03.  Exclusive Benefit.
 
20.04.  Powers of Trustee.
 
20.05.  Accounts.
 
20.06.  Approval of Accounts.
 
20.07.  Distribution from Trust Fund.
 
20.08.  Transfer of Amounts from Qualified Plan.
 
20.09.  Transfer of Assets from Trust.
 
20.10.  Separate Trust or Fund for Existing Plan Assets.
 
20.11.  Self-Directed Brokerage Option.
 
20.12.  Employer Stock Investment Option.
 
20.13.  Voting; Delivery of Information.
 
20.14.  Compensation and Expenses of Trustee.
 
20.15.  Reliance by Trustee on Other Persons.
 
20.16.  Indemnification by Employer.
 
20.17.  Consultation by Trustee with Counsel.
 
20.18.  Persons Dealing with the Trustee.
 
20.19.  Resignation or Removal of Trustee.
 
20.20.  Fiscal Year of the Trust.
 
20.21.  Discharge of Duties by Fiduciaries.
 
20.22.  Amendment.
 
20.23.  Plan Termination.
 
20.24.  Permitted Reversion of Funds to Employer.
 
20.25.  Governing Law.


 
4

 

Preamble .

This prototype plan consists of three parts:  (1) an Adoption Agreement that is a separate document incorporated by reference into this Basic Plan Document; (2) this Basic Plan Document; and (3) a Trust Agreement that is a part of this Basic Plan Document and is found in Article 20. Each part of the prototype plan contains substantive provisions that are integral to the operation of the plan. The Adoption Agreement is the means by which an adopting Employer elects the optional provisions that shall apply under its plan. The Basic Plan Document describes the standard provisions elected in the Adoption Agreement. The Trust Agreement describes the powers and duties of the Trustee with respect to plan assets.

The prototype plan is intended to qualify under Code Section 401(a). Depending upon the Adoption Agreement completed by an adopting Employer, the prototype plan may be used to implement a money purchase pension plan, a profit sharing plan, or a profit sharing plan with a cash or deferred arrangement intended to qualify under Code Section 401(k).

Article 1. Adoption Agreement .

Article 2. Definitions .

2.01. Definitions .   Wherever used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:

(a)  " Account " means an account established for the purpose of recording any contributions made on behalf of a Participant and any income, expenses, gains, or losses incurred thereon. The Administrator shall establish and maintain sub-accounts within a Participant's Account as necessary to depict accurately a Participant's interest under the Plan.

(b)  " Active Participant " means any Eligible Employee who has met the requirements of Article 4 to participate in the Plan and who may be entitled to receive allocations under the Plan.

(c)  " Administrator " means the Employer adopting this Plan, as listed in Subsection 1.02(a) of the Adoption Agreement, or any other person designated by the Employer in Subsection 1.01(c) of the Adoption Agreement.

(d)  " Adoption Agreement " means Article 1, under which the Employer establishes and adopts, or amends the Plan and Trust and designates the optional provisions selected by the Employer, and the Trustee accepts its responsibilities under Article 20. The provisions of the Adoption Agreement shall be an integral part of the Plan.

(e)  " Annuity Starting Date " means the first day of the first period for which an amount is payable as an annuity or in any other form permitted under the Plan.

(f)  " Basic Plan Document " means this Fidelity prototype plan document, qualified with the National Office of the Internal Revenue Service as Basic Plan Document No. 02.

(g)  " Beneficiary " means the person or persons (including a trust) entitled under Section 11.04 or 14.04 to receive benefits under the Plan upon the death of a Participant; provided, however, that for purposes of Section 13.03 such term shall be applied in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(9) and the regulations thereunder.

(h)  " Break in Vesting Service " means a 12-consecutive-month period beginning on an Employee's Severance Date or any anniversary thereof in which the Employee is not credited with an Hour of Service.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following special rules apply in determining whether an Employee who is on leave has incurred a Break in Vesting Service:

(1)  If an individual is absent from work because of "maternity/ paternity leave" beyond the first anniversary of his Severance Date, the 12-consecutive-month period beginning on the individual's Severance Date shall not constitute a Break in Vesting Service. For purposes of this paragraph, "maternity/paternity leave" means a leave of absence (A) by reason of the pregnancy of the individual, (B) by reason of the birth of a child of the individual, (C) by reason of the placement of a child with the individual in connection with the adoption of such child by the individual, or (D) for purposes of caring for a child for the period beginning immediately following such birth or placement.

(2)  If an individual is absent from work because of "FMLA leave" and returns to employment with the Employer or a Related Employer following such "FMLA leave", he shall not incur a Break in Vesting Service during any 12-consecutive-month period beginning on his Severance Date or anniversaries thereof in which he is absent because of such "FMLA leave". For purposes of this paragraph, "FMLA leave" means an approved leave of absence pursuant to the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993.

(i)  " Code " means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
 

 
5

 
(j)  " Compensation " means wages as defined in Code Section 3401(a) and all other payments of compensation to an Eligible Employee by the Employer (in the course of the Employer's trade or business) for services to the Employer while employed as an Eligible Employee for which the Employer is required to furnish the Eligible Employee a written statement under Code Sections 6041(d) and 6051(a)(3). Compensation must be determined without regard to any rules under Code Section 3401(a) that limit the remuneration included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or the services performed (such as the exception for agricultural labor in Code Section 3401(a)(2)).

For any Self-Employed Individual, Compensation means Earned Income; provided, however, that if the Employer elects to exclude specified items from Compensation, such Earned Income shall be adjusted in a similar manner so that it is equivalent under regulations issued under Code Section 414(s) to Compensation for Participants who are not Self-Employed Individuals.

Compensation shall generally be based on the amount actually paid to the Eligible Employee during the Plan Year or, for purposes of Articles 5 (and, for Plan Years beginning prior to January 1, 2003, Article 15) so elected by the Employer in Subsection 1.05(c) of the Adoption Agreement, during that portion of the Plan Year during which the Eligible Employee is an Active Participant. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, Compensation for purposes of Section 6.12 (Code Section 415 Limitations) shall be based on the amount actually paid or made available to the Participant during the Limitation Year.

If the initial Plan Year of a new plan consists of fewer than 12 months, calculated from the Effective Date listed in Subsection 1.01(g)(1) of the Adoption Agreement through the end of such initial Plan Year, Compensation for such initial Plan Year shall be determined as follows:

(1) If the Plan is a profit sharing plan, for purposes of allocating Nonelective Employer Contributions under Section 1.11 of the Adoption Agreement (other than Nonelective Employer Contributions made in accordance with the Safe Harbor Nonelective Employer Contributions Addendum to the Adoption Agreement) and determining Highly Compensated Employees under Subsection 2.01(z), the initial Plan Year shall be the 12-month period ending on the last day of the Plan Year.

(2)  For purposes of Section 6.12 (Code Section 415 Limitations) where the Limitation Year is based on the Plan Year, the Limitation Year shall be the 12-month period ending on the last day of the Plan Year.

(3)  For all other purposes, the initial Plan Year shall be the period from the Effective Date listed in Subsection 1.01(g)(1) of the Adoption Agreement through the end of the initial Plan Year.

The annual Compensation of each Active Participant taken into account for determining benefits provided under the Plan for any determination period shall not exceed the annual Compensation limit under Code Section 401(a)(17) as in effect on the first day of the determination period. This limit shall be adjusted by the Secretary to reflect increases in the cost of living, as provided in Code Section 401(a)(17)(B); provided, however, that the dollar increase in effect on January 1 of any calendar year is effective for determination periods beginning in such calendar year. If a Plan determines Compensation over a determination period that contains fewer than 12 calendar months (a "short determination period"), then the Compensation limit for such "short determination period" is equal to the Compensation limit for the calendar year in which the "short determination period" begins multiplied by the ratio obtained by dividing the number of full months in the "short determination period" by 12; provided, however, that such proration shall not apply if there is a "short determination period" because (i) the Employer elected in Subsection 1.05(c) of the Adoption Agreement to determine contributions based only on Compensation paid during the portion of the Plan Year during which an individual was an Active Participant, (ii) an Employee is covered under the Plan less than a full Plan Year, or (iii) Deferral Contributions and/or Matching Employer Contributions are contributed for each pay period during the Plan Year and are based on Compensation for that pay period.

(k)  " Contribution Period " means the period for which Matching Employer and Nonelective Employer Contributions are made and calculated. The Contribution Period for additional Matching Employer Contributions, as described in Subsection 1.10(b) of the Adoption Agreement and Nonelective Employer Contributions is the Plan Year. The Contribution Period for basic Matching Employer Contributions, as described in Subsection 1.10(a)of the Adoption Agreement, is the period specified by the Employer in Subsection 1.10(c) of the Adoption Agreement.

(l)  " Deferral Contribution " means any contribution made to the Plan by the Employer in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.03.

(m)  " Early Retirement Age " means the early retirement age specified in Subsection 1.13(b) of the Adoption Agreement, if any.

(n)  " Earned Income " means the net earnings of a Self-Employed Individual derived from the trade or business with respect to which the Plan is established and for which the personal services of such individual are a material income-providing factor, excluding any items not included in gross income and the deductions allocated to such items, except that net earnings shall be determined with regard to the deduction allowed under Code Section 164(f), to the extent applicable to the Employer. Net earnings shall be reduced by contributions of the Employer to any qualified plan, to the extent a deduction is allowed to the Employer for such contributions under Code Section 404.

(o)  " Effective Date " means the effective date specified by the Employer in Subsection 1.01(g)(1) or (2) of the Adoption Agreement with respect to the Plan, if this is a new plan, or with respect to the amendment and restatement, if this is an amendment and restatement of the Plan. The Employer may select special Effective Dates with respect to specified Plan provisions, as set forth in Section (a) of the Special Effective Dates Addendum to the Adoption Agreement. In the event that another plan is merged into and made a part of the Plan, the effective date of the merger shall be reflected in Section (b) of the Special Effective Dates Addendum to the Adoption Agreement.

If this is an amendment and restatement of the Plan, and the Plan was not amended prior to the effective date specified by the Employer in Subsection 1.01(g)(2) of the Adoption Agreement to comply with the requirements of the Acts specified in the Snap Off Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, the effective dates specified in such Snap Off Addendum shall apply with respect to those provisions specified therein. Such effective dates may be earlier than the date specified in Subsection 1.01(g)(2) of the Adoption Agreement.

(p)  " Eligibility Computation Period " means each 12-consecutive-month period beginning with an Employee's Employment Commencement Date and each anniversary thereof.

(q)  " Eligibility Service " means an Employee's service that is taken into account in determining his eligibility to participate in the Plan as may be required under Subsection 1.04(b) of the Adoption Agreement. Eligibility Service shall be credited in accordance with Article 3.
 
 
6


 
(r)  " Eligible Employee " means any Employee of the Employer who is in the class of Employees eligible to participate in the Plan. The Employer must specify in Subsection 1.04(c) of the Adoption Agreement any Employee or class of Employees not eligible to participate in the Plan. If Article 1 of the Employer's Plan is a Non-Standardized Adoption Agreement, regardless of the Employer's selection in Subsection  1.04(c) of the Adoption Agreement,  the following Employees are automatically excluded from eligibility to participate in the Plan:

(1)  any individual who is a signatory to a contract, letter of agreement, or other document that acknowledges his status as an independent contractor not entitled to benefits under the Plan or who is not otherwise classified by the Employer as a common law employee and with respect to whom the Employer does not withhold income taxes and file Form W-2 (or any replacement Form), with the Internal Revenue Service and does not remit Social Security payments to the Federal government, even if such individual is later adjudicated to be a common law employee; and

(2)  any Employee who is a resident of Puerto Rico.

If the Employer elects to exclude collective bargaining employees from the eligible class, the exclusion applies to any Employee of the Employer included in a unit of Employees covered by an agreement which the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective bargaining agreement between employee representatives and one or more employers, unless the collective bargaining agreement requires the Employee to be covered under the Plan. The term "employee representatives" does not include any organization more than half the members of which are owners, officers, or executives of the Employer.

If the Employer does not elect to exclude Leased Employees from the eligible class, contributions or benefits provided by the leasing organization which are attributable to services performed for the Employer shall be treated as provided by the Employer and there shall be no duplication of benefits under this Plan.

(s)  " Employee " means any common law employee of the Employer or a Related Employer, any Self-Employed Individual, and any Leased Employee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Leased Employee shall not be considered an Employee if Leased Employees do not constitute more than 20 percent of the Employer's non-highly compensated work-force (taking into account all Related Employers) and the Leased Employee is covered by a money purchase pension plan maintained by the leasing organization and providing (1) a nonintegrated employer contribution rate of at least 10 percent of compensation, as defined for purposes of Code Section 415(c)(3), but including amounts contributed pursuant to a salary reduction agreement which are excludable from gross income under Code Section 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h) or 403(b), (2) full and immediate vesting, and (3) immediate participation by each employee of the leasing organization.

(t)  " Employee Contribution " means any after-tax contribution made by an Active Participant to the Plan.

(u)  " Employer " means the employer named in Subsection 1.02(a) of the Adoption Agreement and any Related Employer included as an Employer under this Subsection 2.01(u). If Article 1 of the Employer's Plan is a Standardized Adoption Agreement, the term "Employer" includes all Related Employers; provided, however, that if an employer becomes a Related Employer as a result of an asset or stock acquisition, merger or other similar transaction, the term "Employer" shall not include such employer for periods prior to the earlier of (1) the date as of which Subsection 1.02(b) of the Adoption Agreement is amended to name such employer or (2) the first day of the second Plan Year beginning after the date of such transaction. If Article 1 of the Employer's Plan is a Non-Standardized Adoption Agreement, the term "Employer" includes only those Related Employers designated in Subsection 1.02(b) of the Adoption Agreement.

If the organization or other entity named in the Adoption Agreement is a sole proprietor or a professional corporation and the sole proprietor of such proprietorship or the sole shareholder of the professional corporation dies, then the legal representative of such sole proprietor or shareholder shall be deemed to be the Employer until such time as, through the disposition of such sole proprietor's or sole shareholder's estate or otherwise, any organization or other entity succeeds to the interests of the sole proprietor in the proprietorship or the sole shareholder in the professional corporation. The legal representative of a sole proprietor or shareholder shall be (1) the person appointed as such by the sole proprietor or shareholder prior to his death under a legally enforceable power of attorney, or, if none, (2) the executor or administrator of the sole proprietor's or shareholder's estate.

If one of the Employers designated in Subsection 1.02(b) of the Adoption Agreement is not a Related Employer, the term "Employer" includes such un-Related Employer and the provisions of Section 18.06 shall apply.

(v)  " Employment Commencement Date " means the date on which an Employee first performs an Hour of Service.

(w)  " Entry Date " means the date specified by the Employer in Subsection 1.04(d) or (e) of the Adoption Agreement as of which an Eligible Employee who has met the applicable eligibility requirements begins to participate in the Plan. The Employer may specify different Entry Dates for purposes of eligibility to participate in the Plan by (1) making Deferral Contributions and (2) receiving allocations of Matching and/or Nonelective Employer Contributions.

(x)  " ERISA " means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as from time to time amended.

(y)  " Fund Share " means the share, unit, or other evidence of ownership in a Permissible Investment.
 
 
7


 
(z)  " Highly Compensated Employee " means both highly compensated active Employees and highly compensated former Employees.

A highly compensated active Employee includes any Employee who performs service for the Employer during the "determination year" and who (1) at any time during the "determination year" or the "look-back year" was a five percent owner or (2) received Compensation from the Employer during the "look-back year" in excess of $80,000 (as adjusted pursuant to Code Section 415(d)) and, if elected by the Employer in Section 1.06 of the Adoption Agreement, was a member of the top-paid group for such year.

For this purpose, the "determination year" shall be the Plan Year. The "look-back year" shall be the twelve-month period immediately preceding the "determination year", unless the Employer has elected in Section 1.06 of the Adoption Agreement to make the "look-back year" the calendar year beginning within the preceding Plan Year.

A highly compensated former Employee includes any Employee who separated from service (or was deemed to have separated) prior to the "determination year", performs no service for the Employer during the "determination year", and was a highly compensated active Employee for either the separation year or any "determination year" ending on or after the Employee's 55th birthday, as determined under the rules in effect for determining Highly Compensated Employees for such separation year or "determination year".

The determination of who is a Highly Compensated Employee, including the determinations of the number and identity of Employees in the top-paid group, shall be made in accordance with Code Section 414(q) and the Treasury Regulations issued thereunder.

For purposes of this Subsection 2.01(z), Compensation shall include amounts that are not includable in the gross income of an Employee under a salary reduction agreement by reason of the application of Code Section 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h), or 403(b).

(aa)  " Hour of Service ", with respect to any individual, means:

(1)  Each hour for which the individual is directly or indirectly paid, or entitled to payment, for the performance of duties for the Employer or a Related Employer, each such hour to be credited to the individual for the Eligibility Computation Period in which the duties were performed;

(2)  Each hour for which the individual is directly or indirectly paid, or entitled to payment, by the Employer or a Related Employer (including payments made or due from a trust fund or insurer to which the Employer contributes or pays premiums) on account of a period of time during which no duties are performed (irrespective of whether the employment relationship has terminated) due to vacation, holiday, illness, incapacity, disability, layoff, jury duty, military duty, or leave of absence, each such hour to be credited to the individual for the Eligibility Computation Period in which such period of time occurs, subject to the following rules:

(A)  No more than 501 Hours of Service shall be credited under this paragraph (2) on account of any single continuous period during which the individual performs no duties, unless the individual performs no duties because of military duty, the individual's employment rights are protected by law, and the individual returns to employment with the Employer or a Related Employer during the period that his employment rights are protected under Federal law;

(B)  Hours of Service shall not be credited under this paragraph (2) for a payment which solely reimburses the individual for medically-related expenses, or which is made or due under a plan maintained solely for the purpose of complying with applicable worker's compensation, unemployment compensation or disability insurance laws; and

(C)  If the period during which the individual performs no duties falls within two or more Eligibility Computation Periods and if the payment made on account of such period is not calculated on the basis of units of time, the Hours of Service credited with respect to such period shall be allocated between not more than the first two such Eligibility Computation Periods on any reasonable basis consistently applied with respect to similarly situated individuals;

(3)   Each hour not counted under paragraph (1) or (2) for which he would have been scheduled to work for the Employer or a Related Employer during the period that he is absent from work because of military duty, provided the individual's employment rights are protected under Federal law and the individual returns to work with the Employer or a Related Company during the period that his employment rights are protected, each such hour to be credited to the individual for the Eligibility Computation Period for which he would have been scheduled to work; and

(4)  Each hour not counted under paragraph (1), (2), or (3) for which back pay, irrespective of mitigation of damages, has been either awarded or agreed to be paid by the Employer or a Related Employer, shall be credited to the individual for the Eligibility Computation Period to which the award or agreement pertains rather than the Eligibility Computation Period in which the award, agreement, or payment is made.

For purposes of paragraphs (2) and (4) above, Hours of Service shall be calculated in accordance with the provisions of Section 2530.200b-2(b) of the Department of Labor regulations, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Subsection to the contrary, the Employer may elect to credit Hours of Service in accordance with any of the equivalencies set forth in paragraphs (d), (e), or (f) of Department of Labor Regulations Section 2530.200b-3.

(bb)  " Inactive Participant " means any individual who was an Active Participant, but is no longer an Eligible Employee and who has an Account under the Plan.
 
 
8


 
(cc)  " Leased Employee " means any individual who provides services to the Employer or a Related Employer (the "recipient") but is not otherwise an employee of the recipient if (1) such services are provided pursuant to an agreement between the recipient and any other person (the "leasing  organization"), (2) such individual has performed services for the recipient (or for the recipient and any related persons within the meaning of Code Section 414(n)(6)) on a substantially full-time basis for at least one year, and (3) such services are performed under primary direction of or control by the recipient. The determination of who is a Leased Employee shall be made in accordance with any rules and regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate.

(dd)  " Limitation Year " means the 12-consecutive-month period designated by the Employer in Subsection 1.01(f) of the Adoption Agreement. If no other Limitation Year is designated by the Employer, the Limitation Year shall be the calendar year. All qualified plans of the Employer and any Related Employer must use the same Limitation Year. If the Limitation Year is amended to a different 12-consecutive-month period, the new Limitation Year must begin on a date within the Limitation Year in which the amendment is made.

(ee)  " Matching Employer Contribution " means any contribution made by the Employer to the Plan in accordance with Section 5.08 or 5.09 on account of an Active Participant's Deferral Contributions.

(ff)  " Mass Submitter Sponsor " means Fidelity Management & Research Company or its successor.

(gg)  " Nonelective Employer Contribution " means any contribution made by the Employer to the Plan in accordance with Section 5.10.

(hh)  " Non-Highly Compensated Employee " means any Employee who is not a Highly Compensated Employee.

(ii)  " Normal Retirement Age " means the normal retirement age specified in Subsection 1.13(a) of the Adoption Agreement. If the Employer enforces a mandatory retirement age in accordance with Federal law, the Normal Retirement Age is the lesser of that mandatory age or the age specified in Subsection 1.13(a) of the Adoption Agreement.

(jj)  " Participant " means any individual who is either an Active Participant or an Inactive Participant.

(kk)  " Permissible Investment " means the investments specified by the Employer as available for investment of assets of the Trust and agreed to by the Trustee and the Prototype Sponsor. The Permissible Investments under the Plan shall be listed in the Service Agreement.

(ll)  " Plan " means the plan established by the Employer in the form of the prototype plan, as set forth herein as a new plan or as an amendment to an existing plan, by executing the Adoption Agreement, together with any and all amendments hereto.

(mm)  " Plan Year " means the 12-consecutive-month period ending on the date designated by the Employer in Subsection 1.01(d) of the Adoption Agreement, except that the initial Plan Year of a new Plan may consist of fewer than 12 months, calculated from the Effective Date listed in Subsection 1.01(g)(1) of the Adoption Agreement through the end of such initial Plan Year, in which event Compensation for such initial Plan Year shall be treated as provided in Subsection 2.01(j).

(nn)  " Prototype Sponsor " means Fidelity Management & Research Company or its successor.

(oo)  " Qualified Matching Employer Contribution " means any contribution made by the Employer to the Plan on account of Deferral Contributions or Employee Contributions made by or on behalf of Active Participants in accordance with Section 5.09, that may be included in determining whether the Plan meets the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03.

(pp)  " Qualified Nonelective Employer Contribution " means any contribution made by the Employer to the Plan on behalf of Non-Highly Compensated Employees in accordance with Section 5.07, that may be included in determining whether the Plan meets the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 or the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06.

(qq)  " Reemployment Commencement Date " means the date on which an Employee who terminates employment with the Employer and all Related Employers first performs an Hour of Service following such termination of employment.

(rr)  " Related Employer " means any employer other than the Employer named in Subsection 1.02(a) of the Adoption Agreement if the Employer and such other employer are members of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Code Section 414(b)) or an affiliated service group (as defined in Code Section 414(m)), or are trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) which are under common control (as defined in Code Section 414(c)), or such other employer is required to be aggregated with the Employer pursuant to regulations issued under Code Section 414(o); provided, however, that if Article 1 of the Employer's Plan is a Standardized Adoption Agreement, for purposes of Subsection 1.02(b) of the Adoption Agreement, the term "Related Employer" shall not include any employer that becomes a Related Employer as a result of an asset or stock acquisition, merger or other similar transaction with respect to any period prior to the earlier of (1) the date as of which Subsection 1.02(b) of the Adoption Agreement is amended to name such employer or (2) the first day of the second Plan Year beginning after the date of such transaction.
 
 
9


 
(ss)  " Required Beginning Date " means:

(1)  for a Participant who is not a five percent owner, April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which occurs the later of (i) the Participant's retirement or (ii) the Participant's attainment of age 70 1/2 ; provided, however, that a Participant may elect to have his Required Beginning Date determined without regard to the provisions of clause (i).

(2)  for a Participant who is a five percent owner, April 1 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Participant attains age 70 1/2 .

Once the Required Beginning Date of a five percent owner or a Participant who has elected to have his Required Beginning Date determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.01(ss)(1)(ii) has occurred, such Required Beginning Date shall not be re-determined, even if the Participant ceases to be a five percent owner in a subsequent year or continues in employment with the Employer or a Related Employer.

For purposes of this Subsection 2.01(ss), a Participant is treated as a five percent owner if such Participant is a five percent owner as defined in Code Section 416(i) (determined in accordance with Code Section 416 but without regard to whether the Plan is top-heavy) at any time during the Plan Year ending with or within the calendar year in which such owner attains age 70 1/2 .

(tt)  " Rollover Contribution " means any distribution from a qualified plan (or an individual retirement account holding only assets allocable to a distribution from a qualified plan) that an Employee elects to contribute to the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.06.

(uu)  " Self-Employed Individual " means an individual who has Earned Income for the taxable year from the Employer or who would have had Earned Income but for the fact that the trade or business had no net profits for the taxable year, including, but not limited to, a partner in a partnership, a sole proprietor, a member in a limited liability company or a shareholder in a subchapter S corporation.

(vv)  " Service Agreement " means the agreement between the Employer and the Prototype Sponsor (or an agent or affiliate of the Prototype Sponsor) relating to the provision of investment and other services to the Plan and shall include any addendum to the agreement and any other separate written agreement between the Employer and the Prototype Sponsor (or an agent or affiliate of the Prototype Sponsor) relating to the provision of services to the Plan.

(ww)  " Severance Date " means the earlier of (i) the date an Employee retires, dies, quits, or is discharged from employment with the Employer and all Related Employers or (ii) the 12-month anniversary of the date on which the Employee was otherwise first absent from employment; provided, however, that if an individual terminates or is absent from employment with the Employer and all Related Employers because of military duty, such individual shall not incur a Severance Date if his employment rights are protected under Federal law and he returns to employment with the Employer or a Related Employer within the period during which he retains such employment rights, but, if he does not return to such employment within such period, his Severance Date shall be the earlier of (1) the anniversary of the date his absence commenced or (2) the last day of the period during which he retains such employment rights.

(xx)  " Trust " means the trust created by the Employer in accordance with the provisions of Section 20.01.

(yy)  " Trust Agreement " means the agreement between the Employer and the Trustee, as set forth in Article 20, under which the assets of the Plan are held, administered, and managed.

(zz)  " Trustee " means Fidelity Management Trust Company or its successor. The term Trustee shall include any delegate of the Trustee as may be provided in the Trust Agreement.

(aaa)  " Trust Fund " means the property held in Trust by the Trustee for the Accounts of Participants and their Beneficiaries.

(bbb)  " Vesting Service " means an Employee's service that is taken into account in determining his vested interest in his Matching Employer and Nonelective Employer Contributions Accounts as may be required under Section 1.15 of the Adoption Agreement. Vesting Service shall be credited in accordance with Article 3.

2.02. Pronouns .   Pronouns used in the Plan are in the masculine gender but include the feminine gender unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

2.03. Special Effective Dates .   Some provisions of the Plan are only effective beginning as of a specified date or until a specified date. Any such special effective dates are specified within Plan text where applicable and are exceptions to the general Plan Effective Date as defined in Section 2.01(o).
 

 
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Article 3. Service .

3.01. Crediting of Eligibility Service .   If the Employer has selected an Eligibility Service requirement in Subsection 1.04(b) of the Adoption Agreement for an Eligible Employee to become an Active Participant, Eligibility Service shall be credited to an Employee as follows:

(a)  If the Employer has selected the one or two year(s) of Eligibility Service requirement described in Subsection 1.04(b)(1)(C) or (D) of the Adoption Agreement, an Employee shall be credited with a year of Eligibility Service for each Eligibility Computation Period during which the Employee has been credited with at least 1,000 Hours of Service.

(b)  If the Employer has selected the months of Eligibility Service requirement described in Subsection 1.04(b)(1)(B) of the Adoption Agreement, an Employee shall be credited with Eligibility Service for the aggregate of the periods beginning with the Employee's Employment Commencement Date (or Reemployment Commencement Date) and ending on his subsequent Severance Date; provided, however, that an Employee who has a Reemployment Date within the 12-consecutive-month period following the earlier of the first date of his absence or his Severance Date shall be credited with Eligibility Service for the period between his Severance Date and his Reemployment Date. Months of Eligibility Service shall be measured from the Employee's Employment Commencement Date or Reemployment Commencement Date to the coinciding date in the applicable following month.

3.02. Re-Crediting of Eligibility Service Following Termination of Employment . An Employee whose employment with the Employer and all Related Employers terminates and who is subsequently reemployed by the Employer or a Related Employer shall be re-credited upon reemployment with his Eligibility Service earned prior to his termination of employment.

3.03. Crediting of Vesting Service .   If the Plan provides for Matching Employer and/or Nonelective Employer Contributions that are not 100 percent vested when made, Vesting Service shall be credited to an Employee for the aggregate of the periods beginning with the Employee's Employment Commencement Date (or Reemployment Commencement Date) and ending on his subsequent Severance Date; provided, however, that an Employee who has a Reemployment Date within the 12-consecutive-month period following the earlier of the first date of his absence or his Severance Date shall be credited with Vesting Service for the period between his Severance Date and his Reemployment Date. Fractional periods of a year shall be expressed in terms of days.

3.04. Application of Vesting Service to a Participant's Account Following a Break in Vesting Service .   The following rules describe how Vesting Service earned before and after a Break in Vesting Service shall be applied for purposes of determining a Participant's vested interest in his Matching Employer and Nonelective Employer Contributions Accounts.

(a)  If a Participant incurs five-consecutive Breaks in Vesting Service, all years of Vesting Service earned by the Employee after such Breaks in Service shall be disregarded in determining the Participant's vested interest in his Matching Employer and Nonelective Employer Contributions Account balances attributable to employment before such Breaks in Vesting Service. However, Vesting Service earned both before and after such Breaks in Vesting Service shall be included in determining the Participant's vested interest in his Matching Employer and Nonelective Employer Contributions Account balances attributable to employment after such Breaks in Vesting Service.

(b)  If a Participant incurs fewer than five-consecutive Breaks in Vesting Service, Vesting Service earned both before and after such Breaks in Vesting Service shall be included in determining the Participant's vested interest in his Matching Employer and Nonelective Employer Contributions Account balances attributable to employment both before and after such Breaks in Vesting Service.

3.05. Service with Predecessor Employer .   If the Plan is the plan of a predecessor employer, an Employee's Eligibility and Vesting Service shall include years of service with such predecessor employer. In any case in which the Plan is not the plan maintained by a predecessor employer, service for such predecessor employer shall be treated as Eligibility and Vesting Service if so specified in Section 1.16 of the Adoption Agreement.

3.06. Change in Service Crediting .   If an amendment to the Plan or a transfer from employment as an Employee covered under another qualified plan maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer results in a change in the method of crediting Eligibility and/or Vesting Service with respect to a Participant between the Hours of Service crediting method set forth in Section 2530.200b-2 of the Department of Labor Regulations and the elapsed-time crediting method set forth in Section 1.410(a)-7 of the Treasury Regulations, each Participant with respect to whom the method of crediting Eligibility and/or Vesting Service is changed shall be treated in the manner set forth in Section 1.410(a)-7(f)(1) of the Treasury Regulations which are incorporated herein by reference.

 
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Article 4. Participation .

4.01. Date of Participation .   If the Plan is an amendment and restatement of a prior plan, all Eligible Employees who were active participants in the Plan immediately prior to the Effective Date shall continue as Active Participants on the Effective Date. All Eligible Employees who are in the service of the Employer on the Effective Date (and, if this is an amendment and restatement of a prior plan, were not active participants in the prior plan immediately prior to the Effective Date) shall become Active Participants on the date elected by the Employer in Subsection 1.04(f) of the Adoption Agreement. Any other Eligible Employee shall become an Active Participant in the Plan on the Entry Date coinciding with or immediately following the date on which he first satisfies the eligibility requirements set forth in Subsections 1.04(a) and 1.04(b) of the Adoption Agreement.

The Employer may elect different Eligibility Service requirements for purposes of eligibility (a) to make Deferral Contributions and (b) to receive Nonelective and/or Matching Employer Contributions. Any Eligibility Service requirement that the Employer elects to apply in determining an Eligible Employee's eligibility to make Deferral Contributions shall also apply in determining an Eligible Employee's eligibility to make Employee Contributions, if Employee Contributions are permitted under the Plan, and to receive Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions. If an Employer elects to have different Eligibility Service requirements apply, an Eligible Employee who has met the eligibility requirements with respect to certain contributions, but who has not met the eligibility requirements with respect to other contributions, shall become an Active Participant in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, but only with respect to the contributions for which he has met the eligibility requirements.

4.02. Transfers Out of Covered Employment .   If any Active Participant ceases to be an Eligible Employee, but continues in the employ of the Employer or a Related Employer, such Employee shall cease to be an Active Participant, but shall continue as an Inactive Participant until his entire Account balance is forfeited or distributed. An Inactive Participant shall not be entitled to receive an allocation of contributions or forfeitures under the Plan for the period that he is not an Eligible Employee and wages and other payments made to him by the Employer or a Related Employer for services other than as an Eligible Employee shall not be included in Compensation for purposes of determining the amount and allocation of any contributions to the Account of such Inactive Participant. Such Inactive Participant shall continue to receive credit for Vesting Service completed during the period that he continues in the employ of the Employer or a Related Employer.

4.03. Transfers Into Covered Employment .   If an Employee who is not an Eligible Employee becomes an Eligible Employee, such Eligible Employee shall become an Active Participant immediately as of his transfer date if such Eligible Employee has already satisfied the eligibility requirements and would have otherwise previously become an Active Participant in accordance with Section 4.01. Otherwise, such Eligible Employee shall become an Active Participant in accordance with Section 4.01.

Wages and other payments made to an Employee prior to his becoming an Eligible Employee by the Employer or a Related Employer for services other than as an Eligible Employee shall not be included in Compensation for purposes of determining the amount and allocation of any contributions to the Account of such Eligible Employee.

4.04. Resumption of Participation Following Reemployment .   If a Participant who terminates employment with the Employer and all Related Employers is reemployed as an Eligible Employee, he shall again become an Active Participant on his Reemployment Date. Any other Employee who terminates employment with the Employer and all Related Employers and is reemployed by the Employer or a Related Employer shall become an Active Participant as provided in Section 4.01 or 4.03. Any distribution which a Participant is receiving under the Plan at the time he is reemployed by the Employer or a Related Employer shall cease except as otherwise required under Section 12.04.

Article 5. Contributions .

5.01. Contributions Subject to Limitations .   All contributions made to the Plan under this Article 5 shall be subject to the limitations contained in Article 6.

5.02. Compensation Taken into Account in Determining Contributions .   In determining the amount or allocation of any contribution that is based on a percentage of Compensation, only Compensation paid to a Participant for services rendered to the Employer while employed as an Eligible Employee shall be taken into account. Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Article 5, for purposes of determining the amount and allocation of contributions under this Article 5, Compensation shall not include reimbursements or other expense allowances, fringe benefits (cash and non-cash), moving expenses, deferred compensation, welfare benefits, and any items elected by the Employer with respect to such contributions in Subsection 1.05(a) or (b), as applicable, of the Adoption Agreement, but shall include amounts that are not includable in the gross income of the Participant under a salary reduction agreement by reason of the application of Code Section 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h), 403(b), or 457(b).

If the initial Plan Year of a new plan consists of fewer than 12 months, calculated from the Effective Date listed in Subsection 1.01(g)(1) of the Adoption Agreement through the end of such initial Plan Year, except as otherwise provided in this paragraph, Compensation for purposes of determining the amount and allocation of contributions under this Article 5 for such initial Plan Year shall include only Compensation for services during the period beginning on the Effective Date listed in Subsection 1.01(g)(1) of the Adoption Agreement and ending on the last day of the initial Plan Year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Plan is a profit sharing plan, Compensation for purposes of determining the amount and allocation of non-safe harbor Nonelective Employer Contributions under this Article 5 for such initial Plan Year shall include Compensation for the full 12-consecutive-month period ending on the last day of the initial Plan Year.
 
 
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5.03. Deferral Contributions .   If so provided by the Employer in Subsection 1.07(a) of the Adoption Agreement, each Active Participant may elect to execute a salary reduction agreement with the Employer to reduce his Compensation by a specified percentage or dollar amount, not exceeding the percentage specified by the Employer in Subsection 1.07(a)(1) of the Adoption Agreement, per payroll period, subject to any exceptions elected by the Employer in Subsections 1.07(a)(2) and (3) of the Adoption Agreement, and equal to a whole number multiple of one percent. If elected by the Employer in Subsection 1.07(a)(1)(A) of the Adoption Agreement, in lieu of specifying a percentage of Compensation reduction, an Active Participant may elect to reduce his Compensation by a specified dollar amount per payroll period, provided that such dollar amount may not exceed the percentage of Compensation specified by the Employer in Subsection 1.07(a)(1) of the Adoption Agreement, subject to any exceptions elected by the Employer in Subsections 1.07(a)(2) and (3) of the Adoption Agreement.

An Active Participant's salary reduction agreement shall become effective on the first day of the first payroll period for which the Employer can reasonably process the request, but not earlier than the later of (a) the effective date of the provisions permitting Deferral Contributions or (b) the date the Employer adopts such provisions. The Employer shall make a Deferral Contribution on behalf of the Participant corresponding to the amount of said reduction. Under no circumstances may a salary reduction agreement be adopted retroactively.

An Active Participant may elect to change or discontinue the percentage or dollar amount by which his Compensation is reduced by notice to the Employer as provided in Subsection 1.07(a)(1)(B) or (C) of the Adoption Agreement. Notwithstanding the Employer's election in Subsection 1.07(a)(1)(B) or (C) of the Adoption Agreement, if the Employer has elected one of the safe harbor contributions in Subsection 1.10(a)(3) or 1.11(a)(3) of the Adoption Agreement, an Active Participant may elect to change or discontinue the percentage or dollar amount by which his Compensation is reduced by notice to the Employer within a reasonable period, as specified by the Employer (but not less than 30 days), of receiving the notice described in Section 6.10.

5.04. Employee Contributions .   If the Employer elected to permit Deferral Contributions in Subsection 1.07(a) of the Adoption Agreement and if so provided by the Employer in Subsection 1.08(a)(1) of the Adoption Agreement, each Active Participant may elect to make non-deductible Employee Contributions to the Plan in accordance with the rules and procedures established by the Employer and in an amount not less than one percent of such Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year.

5.05. No Deductible Employee Contributions .   No deductible Employee Contributions may be made to the Plan. Deductible Employee Contributions made prior to January 1, 1987 shall be maintained in a separate Account. No part of the deductible Employee Contributions Account shall be used to purchase life insurance.

5.06. Rollover Contributions .   An Eligible Employee who is or was entitled to receive an eligible rollover distribution, as defined in Code Section 402(c)(4) and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder, from a qualified plan (or an individual retirement account holding only assets attributable to a distribution from a qualified plan) may elect to contribute all or any portion of such distribution to the Trust directly from such qualified plan or individual retirement account or within 60 days of receipt of such distribution to the Eligible Employee. Rollover Contributions shall only be made in the form of cash, allowable Fund Shares, or, if and to the extent permitted by the Employer with the consent of the Trustee, promissory notes evidencing a plan loan to the Eligible Employee; provided, however, that Rollover Contributions shall only be permitted in the form of promissory notes if the Plan otherwise provides for loans.

An Eligible Employee who has not yet become an Active Participant in the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 may make a Rollover Contribution to the Plan. Such Eligible Employee shall be treated as a Participant under the Plan for all purposes of the Plan, except eligibility to have Deferral Contributions made on his behalf and to receive an allocation of Matching Employer or Nonelective Employer Contributions.

The Administrator shall develop such procedures and require such information from Eligible Employees as it deems necessary to ensure that amounts contributed under this Section 5.06 meet the requirements for tax-deferred rollovers established by this Section 5.06 and by Code Section 402(c). No Rollover Contributions may be made to the Plan until approved by the Administrator.

If a Rollover Contribution made under this Section 5.06 is later determined by the Administrator not to have met the requirements of this Section 5.06 or of the Code or Treasury regulations, the Trustee shall, within a reasonable time after such determination is made, and on instructions from the Administrator, distribute to the Employee the amounts then held in the Trust attributable to such Rollover Contribution.

A Participant's Rollover Contributions Account shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, including Article 14, except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.06.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.06, the Employer may direct the Trustee not to accept Rollover Contributions.
 
 
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5.07. Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions . The Employer may, in its discretion, make a Qualified Nonelective Employer Contribution for the Plan Year in any amount necessary to satisfy or help to satisfy the "ADP" test, described in Section 6.03, and/or the "ACP" test, described in Section 6.06. Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be made and allocated based on Participants' "testing compensation", as defined in Subsection 6.01(t), rather than Compensation, as defined in Subsection 2.01(j). Any Qualified Nonelective Employer Contribution shall be allocated among the Accounts of Non-Highly Compensated Employees who are Active Participants at any time during the Plan Year as follows:

(a)  Unless the Employer elects the allocation formula in Subsection 1.09(a)(1) of the Adoption Agreement, the Qualified Nonelective Employer Contribution shall be allocated at the election of the Employer either

(1)  in the ratio that each eligible Active Participant's "testing compensation", as defined in Subsection 6.01(t), for the Plan Year bears to the total "testing compensation" paid to all eligible Active Participants for the Plan Year; or

(2)  as a uniform flat dollar amount for each eligible Active Participant for the Plan Year.

(b)  If the Employer elects the allocation formula in Subsection 1.09(a)(1) of the Adoption Agreement, the Qualified Nonelective Employer Contribution shall be allocated as follows:

(1)  The eligible Active Participant with the least "testing compensation", as defined in Subsection 6.01(t), for the Plan Year shall receive an allocation equal to the lowest of:

(A)  the maximum amount that may be contributed on the eligible Active Participant's behalf under Code Section 415, taking into account all other contributions made by or on behalf of the eligible Active Participant to plans maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer that are includable as "annual additions", as defined in Subsection 6.01(b); or

(B)  the full amount of the Qualified Nonelective Employer Contribution.

(2)  The eligible Active Participant with the next lowest "testing compensation", as defined in Subsection 6.01(t), for the Plan Year shall receive an allocation equal to the lowest of:

(A)  the maximum amount that may be contributed on the eligible Active Participant's behalf under Code Section 415, taking into account all other contributions made by or on behalf of the eligible Active Participant to plans maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer that are includable as "annual additions", as defined in Subsection 6.01(b); or

(B)  the balance of any Qualified Nonelective Employer Contribution remaining after allocation is made as provided in Subsection 5.07(b)(1) above.

(3)  The allocation in Subsection 5.07(b)(2) shall be applied individually to each remaining eligible Active Participant, in ascending order of "testing compensation", until the Qualified Nonelective Employer Contribution is fully allocated. Once the Qualified Nonelective Employer Contribution is fully allocated, no further allocation shall be made to the remaining eligible Active Participants.

Active Participants shall not be required to satisfy any Hours of Service or employment requirement for the Plan Year in order to receive an allocation of Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions.

Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be distributable only in accordance with the distribution provisions that are applicable to Deferral Contributions; provided, however, that a Participant shall not be permitted to take a hardship withdrawal of amounts credited to his Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions Account after the later of December 31, 1988 or the last day of the Plan Year ending before July 1, 1989.

5.08. Matching Employer Contributions . If so provided by the Employer in Section 1.10 of the Adoption Agreement, the Employer shall make a Matching Employer Contribution on behalf of each eligible Active Participant, as determined in accordance with Subsection 1.10(d) and Section 1.12 of the Adoption Agreement, who had Deferral Contributions made on his behalf during the Contribution Period. The amount of the Matching Employer Contribution shall be determined in accordance with Subsection 1.10(a) and/or (b) and/or the Safe Harbor Matching Employer Contribution Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, as applicable.

5.09. Qualified Matching Employer Contributions .   If so provided by the Employer in Subsection 1.10(e) of the Adoption Agreement, prior to making its Matching Employer Contribution (other than any safe harbor Matching Employer Contribution) to the Plan, the Employer may designate all or a portion of such Matching Employer Contribution as a Qualified Matching Employer Contribution. The Employer shall notify the Trustee of such designation at the time it makes its Matching Employer Contribution. Qualified Matching Employer Contributions shall be distributable only in accordance with the distribution provisions that are applicable to Deferral Contributions; provided, however, that a Participant shall not be permitted to take a hardship withdrawal of amounts credited to his Qualified Matching Employer Contributions Account after the later of December 31, 1988 or the last day of the Plan Year ending before July 1, 1989.

If the amount of an Employer's Qualified Matching Employer Contribution is determined based on a Participant's Compensation, and the Qualified Matching Employer Contribution is necessary to satisfy the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03, the compensation used in determining the amount of the Qualified Matching Employer Contribution shall be "testing compensation", as defined in Subsection 6.01(t). If the Qualified Matching Employer Contribution is not necessary to satisfy the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03, the compensation used to determine the amount of the Qualified Matching Employer Contribution shall be Compensation as defined in Subsection 2.01(j), modified as provided in Section 5.02.
 
 
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5.10. Nonelective Employer Contributions .   If so provided by the Employer in Section 1.11 of the Adoption Agreement, the Employer shall make Nonelective Employer Contributions to the Trust in accordance with Subsection 1.11(a)and/or (b) of the Adoption Agreement to be allocated as follows:

(a)  If the Plan is a money purchase pension plan or the Employer has elected a fixed contribution formula, Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated among eligible Active Participants, as determined in accordance with Subsection 1.11(c) and Section 1.12 of the Adoption Agreement, in the manner specified in Subsection 1.11(a) or the Safe Harbor Nonelective Employer Contribution Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, as applicable.

(b)                 If the Employer has elected a discretionary contribution amount,  Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated among eligible Active Participants, as determined in accordance with Subsection 1.11(c) and Section 1.12 of the Adoption Agreement, as follows:

(1)  If the non-integrated formula is elected in Subsection 1.11(b)(1) of the Adoption Agreement, Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated to eligible Active Participants in the ratio that each eligible Active Participant's Compensation bears to the total Compensation paid to all eligible Active Participants for the Plan Year; provided, however, that if the Plan is or is deemed to be a "top-heavy plan", as defined in Subsection 15.01(f), for any Plan Year, these allocation provisions shall be modified as provided in Section 15.04; or

(2)                 If the integrated formula is elected in Subsection 1.11(b)(2) of the Adoption Agreement, Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated in the following steps:

(A)  First, to each eligible Active Participant in the same ratio that the sum of the eligible Active Participant's Compensation and "excess Compensation" for the Plan Year bears to the sum of the Compensation and "excess Compensation" of all eligible Active Participants for the Plan Year. This allocation as a percentage of the sum of each eligible Active Participant's Compensation and "excess Compensation" shall not exceed the "permitted disparity limit", as defined in Section 1.11 of the Adoption Agreement.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if in any Plan Year an eligible Active Participant has reached the "cumulative permitted disparity limit", such eligible Active Participant shall receive an allocation under this Subsection 5.10(b)(2)(A) based on two times his Compensation for the Plan Year, rather than the sum of his Compensation and "excess Compensation" for the Plan Year. If an Active Participant did not benefit under a qualified defined benefit plan or target benefit plan for any Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 1994, the Active Participant shall have no "cumulative disparity limit".

(B)  Second, if any Nonelective Employer Contributions remain after the allocation in Subsection 5.10(b)(2)(A), the remaining Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated to each eligible Active Participant in the same ratio that the eligible Active Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the total Compensation of all eligible Active Participants for the Plan Year.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections 5.10(b)(2)(A) and (B) above, if in any Plan Year an eligible Active Participant benefits under another qualified plan or simplified employee pension, as defined in Code Section 408(k), that provides for or imputes permitted disparity, the Nonelective Employer Contributions for the Plan Year allocated to such eligible Active Participant shall be in the ratio that his Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the total Compensation paid to all eligible Active Participants.

If the Plan is or is deemed to be a "top-heavy plan", as defined in Subsection 15.01(f), for any Plan Year, the allocation steps in Subsections 5.10(b)(2)(A) and (B) shall be modified as provided in Section 15.04.

For purposes of this Subsection 5.10(b)(2), the following definitions shall apply:

(C)  " Cumulative permitted disparity limit " means 35 multiplied by the sum of an Active Participant's annual permitted disparity fractions, as defined in Sections 1.401(l)-5(b)(3) through (b)(7) of the Treasury Regulations, attributable to the Active Participant's total years of service under the Plan and any other qualified plan or simplified employee pension, as defined in Code Section 408(k), maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer. For each Plan Year commencing prior to January 1, 1989, the annual permitted disparity fraction shall be deemed to be one, unless the Participant never accrued a benefit under any qualified plan or simplified employee pension maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer during any such Plan Year. In determining the annual permitted disparity fraction for any Plan Year, the Employer may elect to assume that the full disparity limit has been used for such Plan Year.

(D)  " Excess Compensation " means Compensation in excess of the "integration level" specified by the Employer in Subsection 1.11(b)(2) of the Adoption Agreement.

5.11. Vested Interest in Contributions .   A Participant's vested interest in the following sub-accounts shall be 100 percent:

(a)  his Deferral Contributions Account;

(b)  his Qualified Nonelective Contributions Account;

(c)  his Qualified Matching Employer Contributions Account;

(d) his Nonelective Employer Contributions Account attributable to Nonelective Employer Contributions made in accordance with the Safe Harbor Nonelective Employer Contribution Addendum to the Adoption Agreement that are intended to satisfy the safe harbor contribution requirement for deemed satisfaction of the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03;

(e)  his Matching Employer Contributions Account attributable to Matching Employer Contributions made in accordance with the Safe Harbor Matching Employer Contribution Addendum to the Adoption Agreement that are intended to satisfy the safe harbor contribution requirement for deemed satisfaction of the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03;

(f)  his Rollover Contributions Account;

(g)  his Employee Contributions Account; and

(h)  his deductible Employee Contributions Account.

A Participant's vested interest in his Nonelective Employer Contributions Account attributable to Nonelective Employer Contributions other than those described in Subsection 5.11(d) above, shall be determined in accordance with the vesting schedule elected by the Employer in Subsection 1.15(b)(1) of the Adoption Agreement. A Participant's vested interest in his Matching Employer Contributions Account attributable to Matching Employer Contributions other than those described in Subsection 5.11(e) above, shall be determined in accordance with the vesting schedule elected by the Employer in Subsection 1.15(b)(2) of the Adoption Agreement.
 
 
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5.12. Time for Making Contributions .   The Employer shall pay its contribution for each Plan Year not later than the time prescribed by law for filing the Employer's Federal income tax return for the fiscal (or taxable) year with or within which such Plan Year ends (including extensions thereof).

The Employer shall remit any safe harbor Matching Employer Contributions made during a Plan Year quarter to the Trustee no later than the last day of the immediately following Plan Year quarter.

The Employer should remit Employee Contributions and Deferral Contributions to the Trustee as of the earliest date on which such contributions can reasonably be segregated from the Employer's general assets, but not later than the 15 th business day of the calendar month following the month in which such amount otherwise would have been paid to the Participant, or within such other time frame as may be determined by applicable regulation or legislation.

The Trustee shall have no authority to inquire into the correctness of the amounts contributed and paid over to the Trustee, to determine whether any contribution is payable under this Article 5, or to enforce, by suit or otherwise, the Employer's obligation, if any, to make a contribution to the Trustee.

5.13. Return of Employer Contributions .   The Trustee shall, upon request by the Employer, return to the Employer the amount (if any) determined under Section 20.24. Such amount shall be reduced by amounts attributable thereto which have been credited to the Accounts of Participants who have since received distributions from the Trust, except to the extent such amounts continue to be credited to such Participants' Accounts at the time the amount is returned to the Employer. Such amount shall also be reduced by the losses of the Trust attributable thereto, if and to the extent such losses exceed the gains and income attributable thereto, but shall not be increased by the gains and income of the Trust attributable thereto, if and to the extent such gains and income exceed the losses attributable thereto. To the extent such gains exceed losses, the gains shall be forfeited and applied as provided in Section 11.09. In no event shall the return of a contribution hereunder cause the balance of the individual Account of any Participant to be reduced to less than the balance which would have been credited to the Account had the mistaken amount not been contributed.


Article 6. Limitations on Contributions .

6.01. Special Definitions .   For purposes of this Article, the following definitions shall apply:

(a)                 " Aggregate limit " means the greater of (1) or (2) where (1) is the sum of (A) 125 percent of the greater of the average "deferral ratio" of the Active Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year" or the average "contribution percentage" of Active Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year" beginning with or within the "testing year" of the cash or deferred arrangement and (B) the lesser of 200 percent or two plus the lesser of such average "deferral ratio" or average "contribution percentage" and where (2) is the sum of (A) 125 percent of the lesser of the average "deferral ratio" of the Active Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year" or the average "contribution percentage" of the Active Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year" beginning with or within the "testing year" of the cash or deferred arrangement and (B) the lesser of 200 percent or two plus the greater of such average "deferral ratio" or average "contribution percentage".

(b)  " Annual additions " mean the sum of the following amounts allocated to an Active Participant for a Limitation Year:

(1)  all employer contributions allocated to an Active Participant's account under qualified defined contribution plans maintained by the "415 employer", including amounts applied to reduce employer contributions as provided under Section 11.09;

(2)  all employee contributions allocated to an Active Participant's account under a qualified defined contribution plan or a qualified defined benefit plan maintained by the "415 employer" if separate accounts are maintained with respect to such Active Participant under the defined benefit plan;

(3)  all forfeitures allocated to an Active Participant's account under a qualified defined contribution plan maintained by the "415 employer";

(4)  all amounts allocated, after March 31, 1984, to an "individual medical benefit account" which is part of a pension or annuity plan maintained by the "415 employer";

(5)  all amounts derived from contributions paid or accrued after December 31, 1985, in taxable years ending after such date, which are attributable to post-retirement medical benefits allocated to the separate account of a key employee, as defined in Code Section 419A(d)(3), under a "welfare benefit fund" maintained by the "415 employer"; and

(6)  all allocations to an Active Participant under a "simplified employee pension".

(c)  " Contribution percentage " means the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (1) the "contribution percentage amounts" allocated to an "eligible participant's" accounts for the Plan Year to (2) the "eligible participant's" "testing compensation" for the Plan Year.
 
 
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(d)  " Contribution percentage amounts " mean:

(1)  any Employee Contributions made by an "eligible participant" to the Plan;

(2)  any Matching Employer Contributions, but excluding (A) Qualified Matching Employer Contributions that are taken into account in satisfying the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 (except that such exclusion shall not apply for any Plan Year in which the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 is deemed satisfied pursuant to Section 6.10) and (B) Matching Employer Contributions that are forfeited either to correct "excess aggregate contributions" or because the contributions to which they relate are "excess deferrals", "excess contributions", or "excess aggregate contributions";

(3)  at the election of the Employer, Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions, excluding Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions that are taken into account in satisfying the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03; and

(4)  at the election of the Employer, Deferral Contributions, excluding Deferral Contributions that are taken into account in satisfying the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for any Plan Year in which the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 is deemed satisfied pursuant to Section 6.10, "contribution percentage amounts" shall not include the following:

(5)  any Deferral Contributions; and

(6)  if the requirements described in Section 6.11 for deemed satisfaction of the "ACP" test with respect to Matching Employer Contributions are met, any Matching Employer Contributions; or if the requirements described in Section 6.11 for deemed satisfaction of the "ACP" test with respect to Matching Employer Contributions are not met, any Matching Employer Contributions made on behalf of an "eligible participant" for the Plan Year that do not exceed four percent of the "eligible participant's" Compensation for the Plan Year.

To be included in determining an "eligible participant's" "contribution percentage" for a Plan Year, Employee Contributions must be made to the Plan before the end of such Plan Year and other "contribution percentage amounts" must be allocated to the "eligible participant's" Account as of a date within such Plan Year and made before the last day of the 12-month period immediately following the Plan Year to which the "contribution percentage amounts" relate. If an Employer has elected the prior year testing method described in Subsection 1.06(a)(2) of the Adoption Agreement, "contribution percentage amounts" that are taken into account for purposes of determining the "contribution percentages" of Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the prior year relate to such prior year. Therefore, such "contribution percentage amounts" must be made before the last day of the Plan Year being tested.

Effective for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 1999, if an Employer elects to change from the current year testing method described in Subsection 1.06(a)(1) of the Adoption Agreement to the prior year testing method described in Subsection 1.06(a)(2) of the Adoption Agreement, the following shall not be considered "contribution percentage amounts" for purposes of determining the "contribution percentages" of Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the prior year immediately preceding the Plan Year in which the change is effective:

(7)                 Qualified Matching Employer Contributions that were taken into account in satisfying the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 for such prior year;

(8)                 Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions that were taken into account in satisfying the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 or the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06 for such prior year; and

(9)                 all Deferral Contributions.

(e)  " Deferral ratio " means the ratio (expressed as a percentage) of (1) the amount of "includable contributions" made on behalf of an Active Participant for the Plan Year to (2) the Active Participant's "testing compensation" for such Plan Year. An Active Participant who does not receive "includable contributions" for a Plan Year shall have a "deferral ratio" of zero.

(f)  " Defined benefit fraction " means a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the Active Participant's annual benefits (adjusted to an actuarially equivalent straight life annuity if such benefit is expressed in a form other than a straight life annuity or qualified joint and survivor annuity) under all the defined benefit plans (whether or not terminated) maintained by the "415 employer", each such annual benefit computed on the assumptions that the Active Participant shall remain in employment until the normal retirement age under each such plan (or the Active Participant's current age, if later) and that all other factors used to determine benefits under such plan shall remain constant for all future Limitation Years, and the denominator of which is the lesser of 125 percent of the dollar limitation determined for the Limitation Year under Code Sections 415(b)(1)(A) and 415(d) or 140 percent of the Active Participant's highest average Compensation for three consecutive calendar years of service during which the Active Participant was active in each such plan, including any adjustments under Code Section 415(b). However, if the Active Participant was a participant as of the first day of the first Limitation Year beginning after December 31, 1986, in one or more defined benefit plans maintained by the "415 employer" which were in existence on May 6, 1986 then the denominator of the "defined benefit fraction" shall not be less than 125 percent of the Active Participant's total accrued benefit as of the close of the last Limitation Year beginning before January 1, 1987, disregarding any changes in the terms and conditions of such plans made after May 5, 1986, under all such defined benefit plans that met, individually and in the aggregate, the requirements of Code Section 415 for all Limitation Years beginning before January 1, 1987.

(g)  " Defined contribution fraction " means a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of all "annual additions" credited to an Active Participant for the current Limitation Year and all prior Limitation Years and the denominator of which is the sum of the "maximum permissible amounts" for the current Limitation Year and all prior Limitation Years during which the Participant was an Employee (regardless of whether the "415 employer" maintained a defined contribution plan in any such Limitation Year).

If the Active Participant was a participant as of the first day of the first Limitation Year beginning after December 31, 1986, in one or more defined contribution plans maintained by the "415 employer" which were in existence on May 6, 1986, then the numerator of the "defined contribution fraction" shall be adjusted if the sum of this fraction and the "defined benefit fraction" would otherwise exceed 1.0 under the terms of the Plan. Under the adjustment an amount equal to the product of (1) the excess of the sum of the fractions over 1.0 and (2) the denominator of this fraction shall be permanently subtracted from the numerator of this fraction. The adjustment is calculated using the fractions as they would be computed as of the end of the last Limitation Year beginning before January 1, 1987, and disregarding any changes in the terms and conditions of the plans made after May 6, 1986, but using the Section 415 limitation applicable to the first Limitation Year beginning on or after January 1, 1987.

For purposes of determining the "defined contribution fraction", the "annual additions" for Limitation Years beginning before January 1, 1987 shall not be recomputed to treat all employee contributions as "annual additions".

(h)  " Determination year " means (1) for purposes of determining income or loss with respect to "excess deferrals", the calendar year in which the "excess deferrals" were made and (2) for purposes of determining income or loss with respect to "excess contributions", and "excess aggregate contributions", the Plan Year in which such "excess contributions" or "excess aggregate contributions" were made.
 
 
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(i)                 " Elective deferrals " mean all employer contributions, other than Deferral Contributions, made on behalf of a Participant pursuant to an election to defer under any qualified CODA as described in Code Section 401(k), any simplified employee pension cash or deferred arrangement as described in Code Section 402(h)(1)(B), any eligible deferred compensation plan under Code Section 457, any plan as described under Code Section 501(c)(18), and any employer contributions made on behalf of a Participant pursuant to a salary reduction agreement for the purchase of an annuity contract under Code Section 403(b). "Elective deferrals" shall not include any deferrals properly distributed as excess "annual additions".

(j)  " Eligible participant " means any Active Participant who is eligible to make Employee Contributions, or Deferral Contributions (if the Employer takes such contributions into account in calculating "contribution percentages"), or to receive a Matching Employer Contribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term "eligible participant" shall not include any Active Participant who is included in a unit of Employees covered by an agreement which the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective bargaining agreement between employee representatives and one or more employers.

(k)  " Excess aggregate contributions " with respect to any Plan Year mean the excess of

(1)  The aggregate "contribution percentage amounts" actually taken into account in computing the average "contribution percentages" of "eligible participants" who are Highly Compensated Employees for such Plan Year, over

(2)  The maximum amount of "contribution percentage amounts" permitted to be made on behalf of Highly Compensated Employees under Section 6.06 (determined by reducing "contribution percentage amounts" made for the Plan Year on behalf of "eligible participants" who are Highly Compensated Employees in order of their "contribution percentages" beginning with the highest of such "contribution percentages").

"Excess aggregate contributions" shall be determined after first determining "excess deferrals" and then determining "excess contributions".

(l)  " Excess contributions " with respect to any Plan Year mean the excess of

(1)  The aggregate amount of "includable contributions" actually taken into account in computing the average "deferral percentage" of Active Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for such Plan Year, over

(2)  The maximum amount of "includable contributions" permitted to be made on behalf of Highly Compensated Employees under Section 6.03 (determined by reducing "includable contributions" made for the Plan Year on behalf of Active Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees in order of their "deferral ratios", beginning with the highest of such "deferral ratios").

(m)  " Excess deferrals " mean those Deferral Contributions and/or "elective deferrals" that are includable in a Participant's gross income under Code Section 402(g) to the extent such Participant's Deferral Contributions and/or "elective deferrals" for a calendar year exceed the dollar limitation under such Code Section for such calendar year.

(n)  " Excess 415 amount " means the excess of an Active Participant's "annual additions" for the Limitation Year over the "maximum permissible amount".

(o)  " 415 employer " means the Employer and any other employers which constitute a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Code Section 414(b) as modified by Code Section 415(h)) or which constitute trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) which are under common control (as defined in Code Section 414(c) as modified by Code Section 415(h)) or which constitute an affiliated service group (as defined in Code Section 414(m)) and any other entity required to be aggregated with the Employer pursuant to regulations issued under Code Section 414(o).

(p)  " Includable contributions " mean:

(1) any Deferral Contributions made on behalf of an Active Participant, including "excess deferrals" of Highly Compensated Employees, but excluding (a) "excess deferrals" of Non-Highly Compensated Employees that arise solely from Deferral Contributions made under the Plan or plans maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer and (b) Deferral Contributions that are taken into account in satisfying the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06;

(2) at the election of the Employer, Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions, excluding Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions that are taken into account in satisfying the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06; and

(3)  at the election of the Employer, Qualified Matching Employer Contributions; provided, however, that the Employer may not elect to treat Qualified Matching Employer Contributions as "includable contributions" for any Plan Year in which the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 is deemed satisfied pursuant to Section 6.10.

To be included in determining an Active Participant's "deferral ratio" for a Plan Year, "includable contributions" must be allocated to the Participant's Account as of a date within such Plan Year and made before the last day of the 12-month period immediately following the Plan Year to which the "includable contributions" relate. If an Employer has elected the prior year testing method described in Subsection 1.06(a)(2) of the Adoption Agreement, "includable contributions" that are taken into account for purposes of determining the "deferral ratios" of Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the prior year relate to such prior year. Therefore, such "includable contributions" must be made before the last day of the Plan Year being tested.

Effective for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 1999, if an Employer elects to change from the current year testing method described in Subsection 1.06(a)(1) of the Adoption Agreement to the prior year testing method described in Subsection 1.06(a)(2) of the Adoption Agreement, the following shall not be considered "includable contributions" for purposes of determining the "deferral ratios" of Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the prior year immediately preceding the Plan Year in which the change is effective:

(4)                 Deferral Contributions that were taken into account in satisfying the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06 for such prior year;

(5)                 Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions that were taken into account in satisfying the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 or the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06 for such prior year; and

(6)                 all Qualified Matching Employer Contributions.

(q)  " Individual medical benefit account " means an individual medical benefit account as defined in Code Section 415(l)(2).
 
 
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(r)  " Maximum permissible amount " means for a Limitation Year with respect to any Active Participant the lesser of (1) $30,000 (adjusted as provided in Code Section 415(d)) or (2) 25 percent of the Active Participant's Compensation for the Limitation Year. If a short Limitation Year is created because of an amendment changing the Limitation Year to a different 12-consecutive-month period, the dollar limitation specified in clause (1) above shall be adjusted by multiplying it by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of months in the short Limitation Year and the denominator of which is 12.

The Compensation limitation specified in clause (2) above shall not apply to any contribution for medical benefits within the meaning of Code Section 401(h) or 419A(f)(2) after separation from service which is otherwise treated as an "annual addition" under Code Section 419A(d)(2) or 415(l)(1).

(s)  " Simplified employee pension " means a simplified employee pension as defined in Code Section 408(k).

(t)  " Testing compensation " means compensation as defined in Code Section 414(s). "Testing compensation" shall be based on the amount actually paid to a Participant during the "testing year" or, at the option of the Employer, during that portion of the "testing year" during which the Participant is an Active Participant; provided, however, that if the Employer elected different Eligibility Service requirements for purposes of eligibility to make Deferral Contributions and to receive Matching Employer Contributions, then "testing compensation" must be based on the amount paid to a Participant during the full "testing year".

The annual "testing compensation" of each Active Participant taken into account in applying the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 and the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06 for any "testing year" shall not exceed the annual compensation limit under Code Section 401(a)(17) as in effect on the first day of the "testing year". This limit shall be adjusted by the Secretary to reflect increases in the cost of living, as provided in Code Section 401(a)(17)(B); provided, however, that the dollar increase in effect on January 1 of any calendar year is effective for "testing years" beginning in such calendar year. If a Plan determines "testing compensation" over a period that contains fewer than 12 calendar months (a "short determination period"), then the Compensation limit for such "short determination period" is equal to the Compensation limit for the calendar year in which the "short determination period" begins multiplied by the ratio obtained by dividing the number of full months in the "short determination period" by 12; provided, however, that such proration shall not apply if there is a "short determination period" because (1) the Employer elected in accordance with any rules and regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate to apply the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 and/or the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06 based only on Compensation paid during the portion of the "testing year" during which an individual was an Active Participant or (2) an Employee is covered under the Plan for fewer than 12 calendar months.

(u)  " Testing year " means

(1)                 if the Employer has elected the current year testing method in Subsection 1.06(a)(1) of the Adoption Agreement, the Plan Year being tested.

(2)                 if the Employer has elected the prior year testing method in Subsection 1.06(a)(2) of the Adoption Agreement, the Plan Year immediately preceding the Plan Year being tested.

(v)  " Welfare benefit fund " means a welfare benefit fund as defined in Code Section 419(e).

6.02. Code Section 402(g) Limit on Deferral Contributions .   In no event shall the amount of Deferral Contributions made under the Plan for a calendar year, when aggregated with the "elective deferrals" made under any other plan maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer, exceed the dollar limitation contained in Code Section 402(g) in effect at the beginning of such calendar year.

A Participant may assign to the Plan any "excess deferrals" made during a calendar year by notifying the Administrator on or before March 15 following the calendar year in which the "excess deferrals" were made of the amount of the "excess deferrals" to be assigned to the Plan. A Participant is deemed to notify the Administrator of any "excess deferrals" that arise by taking into account only those Deferral Contributions made to the Plan and those "elective deferrals" made to any other plan maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, "excess deferrals", plus any income and minus any loss allocable thereto, as determined under Section 6.09, shall be distributed no later than April 15 to any Participant to whose Account "excess deferrals" were so assigned for the preceding calendar year and who claims "excess deferrals" for such calendar year.

Any Matching Employer Contributions attributable to "excess deferrals", plus any income and minus any loss allocable thereto, as determined under Section 6.09, shall be forfeited and applied as provided in Section 11.09.

"Excess deferrals" shall be treated as "annual additions" under the Plan, unless such amounts are distributed no later than the first April 15 following the close of the calendar year in which the "excess deferrals" were made.
 
 
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6.03. Additional Limit on Deferral Contributions ("ADP" Test) .   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the Deferral Contributions made with respect to a Plan Year on behalf of Active Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for such Plan Year may not result in an average "deferral ratio" for such Active Participants that exceeds the greater of:

(a)  the average "deferral ratio" for the "testing year" of Active Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year" multiplied by 1.25; or

(b) the average "deferral ratio" for the "testing year" of Active Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year" multiplied by two, provided that the average "deferral ratio" for Active Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for the Plan Year being tested does not exceed the average "deferral ratio" for Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year" by more than two percentage points.

For the first Plan Year in which the Plan provides a cash or deferred arrangement, the average "deferral ratio" for Active Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees used in determining the limits applicable under Subsections 6.03(a) and (b) shall be either three percent or the actual average "deferral ratio" for such Active Participants for such first Plan Year, as elected by the Employer in Section 1.06(b) of the Adoption Agreement.

The deferral ratios of Active Participants who are included in a unit of Employees covered by an agreement which the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective bargaining agreement shall be disaggregated from the "deferral ratios" of other Active Participants and the provisions of this Section 6.03 shall be applied separately with respect to each group.

The "deferral ratio" for any Active Participant who is a Highly Compensated Employee for the Plan Year being tested and who is eligible to have "includable contributions" allocated to his accounts under two or more cash or deferred arrangements described in Code Section 401(k) that are maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer, shall be determined as if such "includable contributions" were made under a single arrangement. If a Highly Compensated Employee participates in two or more cash or deferred arrangements that have different plan years, all cash or deferred arrangements ending with or within the same calendar year shall be treated as a single arrangement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, certain plans shall be treated as separate if mandatorily disaggregated under regulations under Code Section 401(k).

If this Plan satisfies the requirements of Code Section 401(k), 401(a)(4), or 410(b) only if aggregated with one or more other plans, or if one or more other plans satisfy the requirements of such Code Sections only if aggregated with this Plan, then this Section 6.03 shall be applied by determining the "deferral ratios" of Employees as if all such plans were a single plan. Plans may be aggregated in order to satisfy Code Section 401(k) only if they have the same plan year.

The Employer shall maintain records sufficient to demonstrate satisfaction of the "ADP" test and the amount of Qualified Nonelective and/or Qualified Matching Employer Contributions used in such test.

6.04. Allocation and Distribution of "Excess Contributions" .   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan, the "excess contributions" allocable to the Account of a Participant, plus any income and minus any loss allocable thereto, as determined under Section 6.09, shall be distributed to the Participant no later than the last day of the Plan Year immediately following the Plan Year in which the "excess contributions" were made. If such excess amounts are distributed more than 2 1/2 months after the last day of the Plan Year in which the "excess contributions" were made, a ten percent excise tax shall be imposed on the Employer maintaining the Plan with respect to such amounts.

The "excess contributions" allocable to a Participant's Account shall be determined by reducing the "includable contributions" made for the Plan Year on behalf of Active Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees in order of the dollar amount of such "includable contributions", beginning with the highest such dollar amount.

"Excess contributions" shall be treated as "annual additions".

Any Matching Employer Contributions attributable to "excess contributions", plus any income and minus any loss allocable thereto, as determined under Section 6.09, shall be forfeited and applied as provided in Section 11.09.

6.05. Reductions in Deferral Contributions to Meet Code Requirements .   If the Administrator anticipates that the Plan will not satisfy the "ADP" and/or "ACP" test for the year, the Administrator may objectively reduce the rate of Deferral Contributions of Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees to an amount determined by the Administrator to be necessary to satisfy the "ADP" and/or "ACP" test.

 6.06. Limit on Matching Employer Contributions and Employee Contributions ("ACP" Test) .   The provisions of this Section 6.06 shall not apply to Active Participants who are included in a unit of Employees covered by an agreement which the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective bargaining agreement between employee representatives and one or more employers.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, Matching Employer Contributions and Employee Contributions made with respect to a Plan Year by or on behalf of "eligible participants" who are Highly Compensated Employees for such Plan Year may not result in an average "contribution percentage" for such "eligible participants" that exceeds the greater of:

(a)  the average "contribution percentage" for the "testing year" of "eligible participants" who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year" multiplied by 1.25; or

(b)  the average "contribution percentage" for the "testing year" of "eligible participants" who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year" multiplied by two, provided that the average "contribution percentage" for the Plan Year being tested of "eligible participants" who are Highly Compensated Employees does not exceed the average "contribution percentage" for the "testing year" of "eligible participants" who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year" by more than two percentage points.

For the first Plan Year in which the Plan provides for "contribution percentage amounts" to be made, the "ACP" for "eligible participants" who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees used in determining the limits applicable under paragraphs (a) and (b) of this Section 6.06 shall be either three percent or the actual "ACP" of such eligible participants for such first Plan Year, as elected by the Employer in Section 1.06(b).

The "contribution percentage" for any "eligible participant" who is a Highly Compensated Employee for the Plan Year and who is eligible to have "contribution percentage amounts" allocated to his accounts under two or more plans described in Code Section 401(a) that are maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer, shall be determined as if such "contribution percentage amounts" were contributed under a single plan. If a Highly Compensated Employee participates in two or more such plans that have different plan years, all plans ending with or within the same calendar year shall be treated as a single plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, certain plans shall be treated as separate if mandatorily disaggregated under Treasury Regulations issued under Code Section 401(m).

If this Plan satisfies the requirements of Code Section 401(m), 401(a)(4) or 410(b) only if aggregated with one or more other plans, or if one or more other plans satisfy the requirements of such Code Sections only if aggregated with this Plan, then this Section 6.06 shall be applied by determining the "contribution percentages" of Employees as if all such plans were a single plan. Plans may be aggregated in order to satisfy Code Section 401(m) only if they have the same plan year.

The Employer shall maintain records sufficient to demonstrate satisfaction of the "ACP" test and the amount of Deferral Contributions, Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions, and/or Qualified Matching Employer Contributions used in such test.
 
 
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6.07. Allocation, Distribution, and Forfeiture of "Excess Aggregate Contributions" .   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the "excess aggregate contributions" allocable to the Account of a Participant, plus any income and minus any loss allocable thereto, as determined under Section 6.09, shall be forfeited, if forfeitable, or if not forfeitable, distributed to the Participant no later than the last day of the Plan Year immediately following the Plan Year in which the "excess aggregate contributions" were made. If such excess amounts are distributed more than 2 1/2 months after the last day of the Plan Year in which such "excess aggregate contributions" were made, a ten percent excise tax shall be imposed on the Employer maintaining the Plan with respect to such amounts.

The "excess aggregate contributions" allocable to a Participant's Account shall be determined by reducing the "contribution percentage amounts" made for the Plan Year on behalf of "eligible participants" who are Highly Compensated Employees in order of the dollar amount of such "contribution percentage amounts", beginning with the highest such dollar amount.

"Excess aggregate contributions" shall be treated as "annual additions".

"Excess aggregate contributions" shall be forfeited or distributed from a Participant's Employee Contributions Account, Matching Employer Contributions Account and if applicable, the Participant's Deferral Contributions Account and/or Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions Account in the order prescribed by the Employer, who shall direct the Trustee, and which order shall be uniform with respect to all Participants and non-discriminatory.

Forfeitures of "excess aggregate contributions" shall be applied as provided in Section 11.09.

6.08. Aggregate Limit on "Contribution Percentage Amounts" and "Includable Contributions" .   The sum of the average "deferral ratio" and the average "contribution percentage" of those Active Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees during the Plan Year shall not exceed the "aggregate limit". The average "deferral ratio" and average "contribution percentage" of such Active Participants shall be determined after any corrections required to meet the "ADP" test, described in Section 6.03, and the "ACP" test, described in Section 6.06, have been made. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the "aggregate limit" shall not be exceeded if either the average "deferral ratio" or the average "contribution percentage" of such Active Participants for the Plan Year does not exceed 1.25 multiplied by the average "deferral ratio" or the average "contribution percentage", as applicable, for the "testing year" of the Active Participants who are Non-Highly Compensated Employees for the "testing year".

If the "aggregate limit" would be exceeded for any Plan Year, then the limit shall be met by reducing the "contribution percentage amounts" contributed for the Plan Year on behalf of the Active Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees for such Plan Year (in order of their "contribution percentages", beginning with the highest such "contribution percentage"). "Contribution percentage amounts" that are reduced as provided herein shall be treated as "excess aggregate contributions". If for any Plan Year in which the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03 is deemed satisfied pursuant to Section 6.10, the average "deferral ratio" of those Active Participants who are Highly Compensated Employees during the Plan Year does not meet the "aggregate limit" after reducing the "contribution percentage amounts" contributed on behalf of such Active Participants to zero, no further reduction shall be required under this Section 6.08.

6.09. Income or Loss on Distributable Contributions .   The income or loss allocable to "excess deferrals", "excess contributions", and "excess aggregate contributions" shall be determined under one of the following methods:

(a)  the income or loss for the "determination year" allocable to the Participant's Account to which such contributions were made multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the amount of the distributable contributions and the denominator of which is the balance of the Participant's Account to which such contributions were made, determined without regard to any income or loss occurring during the "determination year"; or

(b) the income or loss for the "determination year" determined under any other reasonable method, provided that such method is used consistently for all Participants in determining the income or loss allocable to distributable contributions hereunder for the Plan Year, and is used by the Plan in allocating income or loss to Participants' Accounts.

Income or loss allocable to the period between the end of the "determination year" and the date of distribution shall be disregarded in determining income or loss.

6.10. Deemed Satisfaction of "ADP" Test .   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 6 to the contrary, for any Plan Year beginning on or after January 1, 1999, if the Employer has elected one of the safe harbor contributions in Subsection 1.10(a)(3) or 1.11(a)(3) of the Adoption Agreement and complies with the notice requirements described herein for such Plan Year, the Plan shall be deemed to have satisfied the "ADP" test described in Section 6.03. The Employer shall provide a notice to each Active Participant during the Plan Year describing the following:

(a)  the formula used for determining the amount of the safe harbor contribution to be made on behalf of Active Participants for the Plan Year or a statement that the Plan may be amended during the Plan Year to provide for a safe harbor Nonelective Employer Contribution for the Plan Year equal to at least three percent of each Active Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year;

(b)  any other employer contributions provided under the Plan and any requirements that Active Participants must satisfy to be entitled to receive such employer contributions;

(c)  the type and amount of Compensation that may be deferred under the Plan as Deferral Contributions;

(d)  the procedures for making a cash or deferred election under the Plan and the periods during which such elections may be made or changed; and

(e)  the withdrawal and vesting provisions applicable to contributions under the Plan.

The descriptions required in (b) through (e) may be provided by cross references to the relevant sections of an up to date summary plan description. Such notice shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by the average Active Participant. The Employer shall provide the notice to each Active Participant within one of the following periods, whichever is applicable:

(f)  if the employee is an Active Participant 90 days before the beginning of the Plan Year, within the period beginning 90 days and ending 30 days before the first day of the Plan Year; or

(g)  if the employee becomes an Active Participant after the date described in paragraph (f) above, within the period beginning 90 days before and ending on the date he becomes an Active Participant;

provided, however, that such notice shall not be required to be provided to an Active Participant earlier than is required under any guidance published by the Internal Revenue Service.

If an Employer that provides notice that the Plan may be amended to provide a safe harbor Nonelective Employer Contribution for the Plan Year does amend the Plan to provide such contribution, the Employer shall provide a supplemental notice to all Active Participants stating that a safe harbor Nonelective Employer Contribution in the specified amount shall be made for the Plan Year. Such supplemental notice shall be provided to Active Participants at least 30 days before the last day of the Plan Year.
 
 
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6.11. Deemed Satisfaction of "ACP" Test With Respect to Matching Employer Contributions .   A Plan that satisfies the requirements of Section 6.10 shall also be deemed to have satisfied the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06 with respect to Matching Employer Contributions, if Matching Employer Contributions to the Plan for the Plan Year meet all of the following requirements:  (a) the percentage of Deferral Contributions matched does not increase as the percentage of Compensation contributed increases; (b) Highly Compensated Employees are not provided a greater percentage match than Non-Highly Compensated Employees; (c) Deferral Contributions matched do not exceed six percent of a Participant's Compensation; and (d) if the Employer elected in Subsection 1.10(a)(2) or 1.10(b) of the Adoption Agreement to provide discretionary Matching Employer Contributions, the Employer also elected in Subsection 1.10(a)(2)(A) or 1.10(b)(1)   of the Adoption Agreement, as applicable, to limit the dollar amount of such discretionary Matching Employer Contributions allocated to a Participant for the Plan Year to no more than four percent of such Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year.

If such Plan provides for Employee Contributions, the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06 must be applied with respect to such Employee Contributions. For purposes of applying the "ACP" test with respect to Employee Contributions, Matching Employer Contributions and Nonelective Employer Contributions that satisfy the vesting and distribution requirements applicable to safe harbor contributions, but which are not required to comply with the safe harbor contribution requirements may be taken into account.

6.12. Code Section 415 Limitations .   Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, the following limitations shall apply:

(a)   Employer Maintains Single Plan :  If the "415 employer" does not maintain any other qualified defined contribution plan or any "welfare benefit fund", "individual medical benefit account", or "simplified employee pension" in addition to the Plan, the provisions of this Subsection 6.12(a) shall apply.

(1)  If a Participant does not participate in, and has never participated in any other qualified defined contribution plan, "welfare benefit fund", "individual medical benefit account", or "simplified employee pension" maintained by the "415 employer", which provides an "annual addition", the amount of "annual additions" to the Participant's Account for a Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of the "maximum permissible amount" or any other limitation contained in the Plan. If a contribution that would otherwise be contributed or allocated to the Participant's Account would cause the "annual additions" for the Limitation Year to exceed the "maximum permissible amount", the amount contributed or allocated shall be reduced so that the "annual additions" for the Limitation Year shall equal the "maximum permissible amount".

(2)  Prior to the determination of a Participant's actual Compensation for a Limitation Year, the "maximum permissible amount" may be determined on the basis of a reasonable estimation of the Participant's Compensation for such Limitation Year, uniformly determined for all Participants similarly situated. Any Employer contributions based on estimated annual Compensation shall be reduced by any "excess 415 amounts" carried over from prior Limitation Years.

(3)  As soon as is administratively feasible after the end of the Limitation Year, the "maximum permissible amount" for such Limitation Year shall be determined on the basis of the Participant's actual Compensation for such Limitation Year.

(4)  If there is an "excess 415 amount" with respect to a Participant for a Limitation Year as a result of the estimation of the Participant's Compensation for the Limitation Year, the allocation of forfeitures to the Participant's Account, or a reasonable error in determining the amount of Deferral Contributions that may be made on behalf of the Participant under the limits of this Section 6.12, such "excess 415 amount" shall be disposed of as follows:

(A)  Any Employee Contributions shall be reduced to the extent necessary to reduce the "excess 415 amount".

(B)  If after application of Subsection 6.12(a)(4)(A) an "excess 415 amount" still exists, any Deferral Contributions that have not been matched shall be reduced to the extent necessary to reduce the "excess 415 amount".

(C) If after application of Subsection 6.12(a)(4)(B) an "excess 415 amount" still exists, any Deferral Contributions that have been matched and the Matching Employer Contributions attributable thereto shall be reduced to the extent necessary to reduce the "excess 415 amount".

(D)  If after the application of Subsection 6.12(a)(4)(C) an "excess 415 amount" still exists, any Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be reduced to the extent necessary to reduce the "excess 415 amount".

(E)  If after the application of Subsection 6.12(a)(4)(D) an "excess 415 amount" still exists, any Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be reduced to the extent necessary to reduce the "excess 415 amount".

Employee Contributions and Deferral Contributions that are reduced as provided above shall be returned to the Participant. Any income allocable to returned Employee Contributions or Deferral Contributions shall also be returned or shall be treated as additional "annual additions" for the Limitation Year in which the excess contributions to which they are allocable were made.

If Matching Employer, Nonelective Employer, or Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions to a Participant's Account are reduced as an "excess 415 amount", as provided above, and the individual is still an Active Participant at the end of the Limitation Year, then such "excess 415 amount" shall be reapplied to reduce future Employer contributions under the Plan for the next Limitation Year (and for each succeeding Limitation Year, as necessary) for such Participant, so that in each such Limitation Year the sum of the actual Employer contributions made on behalf of such Participant plus the reapplied amount shall equal the amount of Employer contributions which would otherwise be made to such Participant's Account. If the individual is not an Active Participant at the end of a Limitation Year, then such "excess 415 amount" shall be held unallocated in a suspense account. The suspense account shall be applied to reduce future Employer contributions for all remaining Active Participants in the next Limitation Year and each succeeding Limitation Year if necessary.

If a suspense account is in existence at any time during the Limitation Year pursuant to this Subsection 6.12(a)(4), it shall participate in the allocation of the Trust Fund's investment gains and losses. All amounts in the suspense account must be allocated to the Accounts of Active Participants before any Employer contribution may be made for the Limitation Year.

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Subsection 6.12, "excess 415 amounts" may not be distributed to Participants.
 
 
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(b)   Employer Maintains Multiple Defined Contribution Type Plans :  Unless the Employer specifies another method for limiting "annual additions" in the 415 Correction Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, if the "415 employer" maintains any other qualified defined contribution plan or any "welfare benefit fund", "individual medical benefit account", or "simplified employee pension" in addition to the Plan, the provisions of this Subsection 6.12(b) shall apply.

(1)  If a Participant is covered under any other qualified defined contribution plan or any "welfare benefit fund", "individual medical benefit account", or "simplified employee pension" maintained by the "415 employer", that provides an "annual addition", the amount of "annual additions" to the Participant's Account for a Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of

(A)  the "maximum permissible amount", reduced by the sum of any "annual additions" to the Participant's accounts for the same Limitation Year under such other qualified defined contribution plans and "welfare benefit funds", "individual medical benefit accounts", and "simplified employee pensions", or

(B)  any other limitation contained in the Plan.

If the "annual additions" with respect to a Participant under other qualified defined contribution plans, "welfare benefit funds", "individual medical benefit accounts", and "simplified employee pensions" maintained by the "415 employer" are less than the "maximum permissible amount" and a contribution that would otherwise be contributed or allocated to the Participant's Account under the Plan would cause the "annual additions" for the Limitation Year to exceed the "maximum permissible amount", the amount to be contributed or allocated shall be reduced so that the "annual additions" for the Limitation Year shall equal the "maximum permissible amount". If the "annual additions" with respect to the Participant under such other qualified defined contribution plans, "welfare benefit funds", "individual medical benefit accounts", and "simplified employee pensions" in the aggregate are equal to or greater than the "maximum permissible amount", no amount shall be contributed or allocated to the Participant's Account under the Plan for the Limitation Year.

(2)  Prior to the determination of a Participant's actual Compensation for the Limitation Year, the amounts referred to in Subsection 6.12(b)(1)(A) above may be determined on the basis of a reasonable estimation of the Participant's Compensation for such Limitation Year, uniformly determined for all Participants similarly situated. Any Employer contribution based on estimated annual Compensation shall be reduced by any "excess 415 amounts" carried over from prior Limitation Years.

(3)  As soon as is administratively feasible after the end of the Limitation Year, the amounts referred to in Subsection 6.12(b)(1)(A) shall be determined on the basis of the Participant's actual Compensation for such Limitation Year.

(4)  Notwithstanding the provisions of any other plan maintained by a "415 employer", if there is an "excess 415 amount" with respect to a Participant for a Limitation Year as a result of estimation of the Participant's Compensation for the Limitation Year, the allocation of forfeitures to the Participant's account under any qualified defined contribution plan maintained by the "415 employer", or a reasonable error in determining the amount of Deferral Contributions that may be made on behalf of the Participant to the Plan or any other qualified defined contribution plan maintained by the "415 employer" under the limits of this Subsection 6.12(b), such "excess 415 amount" shall be deemed to consist first of the "annual additions" allocated to this Plan and shall be reduced as provided in Subsection 6.12(a)(4); provided, however, that if the "415 employer" maintains both a profit sharing plan and a money purchase pension plan under this Basic Plan Document, "annual additions" to the money purchase pension plan shall be reduced only after all "annual additions" to the profit sharing plan have been reduced.

(c)   Employer Maintains or Maintained Defined Benefit Plan :  For Limitation Years beginning prior to January 1, 2000, if the "415 employer" maintains, or at any time maintained, a qualified defined benefit plan, the sum of any Participant's "defined benefit plan fraction and "defined contribution plan fraction" shall not exceed the combined plan limitation of 1.00 in any such Limitation Year. The combined plan limitation shall be met by reducing "annual additions" under the Plan, unless otherwise provided in the qualified defined benefit plan.

(d)   Adjustment to Compensation :  Compensation for purposes of this Section 6.12 shall include amounts that are not includable in the gross income of the Participant under a salary reduction agreement by reason of the application of Code Section 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h), or 403(b).


Article 7. Participants' Accounts .

7.01. Individual Accounts .   The Administrator shall establish and maintain an Account for each Participant that shall reflect Employer and Employee contributions made on behalf of the Participant and earnings, expenses, gains and losses attributable thereto, and investments made with amounts in the Participant's Account. The Administrator shall establish and maintain such other accounts and records as it decides in its discretion to be reasonably required or appropriate in order to discharge its duties under the Plan. The Administrator shall notify the Trustee of all Accounts established and maintained under the Plan.

7.02. Valuation of Accounts .   Participant Accounts shall be valued at their fair market value at least annually as of a date specified by the Administrator in accordance with a method consistently followed and uniformly applied, and on such date earnings, expenses, gains and losses on investments made with amounts in each Participant's Account shall be allocated to such Account. Participants shall be furnished statements of their Account values at least once each Plan Year.

 
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Article 8. Investment of Contributions .

8.01. Manner of Investment .   All contributions made to the Accounts of Participants shall be held for investment by the Trustee. Except as otherwise specifically provided in Section 20.10, the Accounts of Participants shall be invested and reinvested only in Permissible Investments selected by the Employer and designated in the Service Agreement.

8.02. Investment Decisions . Investments shall be directed by the Employer or by each Participant or both, in accordance with the Employer's election in Subsection 1.23 of the Adoption Agreement. Pursuant to Section 20.04, the Trustee shall have no discretion or authority with respect to the investment of the Trust Fund; however, an affiliate of the Trustee may exercise investment management authority in accordance with Subsection (e) below.

(a)  With respect to those Participant Accounts for which Employer investment direction is elected, the Employer (in its capacity as a named fiduciary under ERISA) has the right to direct the Trustee in writing with respect to the investment and reinvestment of assets comprising the Trust Fund in the Permissible Investments designated in the Service Agreement.

(b) With respect to those Participant Accounts for which Participant investment direction is elected, each Participant shall direct the investment of his Account among the Permissible Investments designated in the Service Agreement. The Participant shall file initial investment instructions with the Administrator, on such form as the Administrator may provide, selecting the Permissible Investments in which amounts credited to his Account shall be invested.

(1)  Except as provided in this Section 8.02, only authorized Plan contacts and the Participant shall have access to a Participant's Account. While any balance remains in the Account of a Participant after his death, the Beneficiary of the Participant shall make decisions as to the investment of the Account as though the Beneficiary were the Participant. To the extent required by a qualified domestic relations order as defined in Code Section 414(p), an alternate payee shall make investment decisions with respect to any segregated account established in the name of the alternate payee as provided in Section 18.04.

(2)  If the Trustee receives any contribution under the Plan as to which investment instructions have not been provided, the Trustee shall promptly notify the Administrator and the Administrator shall take steps to elicit instructions from the Participant. The Trustee shall credit any such contribution to the Participant's Account and such amount shall be invested in the Permissible Investment selected by the Employer for such purposes or, absent Employer selection, in the most conservative Permissible Investment designated in the Service Agreement, until investment instructions have been received by the Trustee.

If the Employer elects to allow Participants to direct the investment of their Account in Subsection 1.23(b) or (c) of the Adoption Agreement, the Plan is intended to constitute a plan described in ERISA Section 404(c) and regulations issued thereunder. The fiduciaries of the Plan shall be relieved of liability for any losses that are the direct and necessary result of investment instructions given by the Participant, his Beneficiary, or an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order. The Employer shall not be relieved of fiduciary responsibility for the selection and monitoring of the Permissible Investments under the Plan.

(c)  All dividends, interest, gains and distributions of any nature received in respect of Fund Shares shall be reinvested in additional shares of that Permissible Investment.

(d)  Expenses attributable to the acquisition of investments shall be charged to the Account of the Participant for which such investment is made.

(e) The Employer may appoint an investment manager (which may be the Trustee or an affiliate) to determine the allocation of amounts held in Participants' Accounts among various investment options (the "Managed Account" option) for Participants who direct the Trustee to invest any portion of their accounts in the Managed Account option. The investment options utilized under the Managed Account option may be those generally available under the Plan or may be as selected by the investment manager for use under the Managed Account option. Participation in the Managed Account option shall be subject to such conditions and limitations (including account minimums) as may be imposed by the investment manager.

8.03. Participant Directions to Trustee .   The method and frequency for change of investments shall be determined under (a) the rules applicable to the Permissible Investments selected by the Employer and designated in the Service Agreement and (b) any additional rules of the Employer limiting the frequency of investment changes, which are included in a separate written administrative procedure adopted by the Employer and accepted by the Trustee. The Trustee shall have no duty to inquire into the investment decisions of a Participant or to advise him regarding the purchase, retention, or sale of assets credited to his Account.


Article 9. Participant Loans .

9.01. Special Definitions .   For purposes of this Article, the following special definitions shall apply:

(a)                 A " participant " is any Participant or Beneficiary, including an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Code Section 414(p), who is a party-in-interest (as determined under ERISA Section 3(14)) with respect to the Plan.

(b) An " owner-employee " is, if the Employer is a sole proprietorship for Federal income tax purposes (regardless of its characterization under state law), the individual who is the sole proprietor or sole member, as applicable; if the Employer is a partnership for Federal income tax purposes (regardless of its characterization under state law), a partner or member, as applicable, who owns more than 10 percent of either the capital interest or the profits interest of the partnership.

(c) A " shareholder-employee " is an employee or officer of an electing small business (Subchapter S) corporation who owns (or is considered as owning within the meaning of Code Section 318(a)(1)), on any day during the taxable year of such corporation, more than five percent of the outstanding stock of the corporation.

9.02. Participant Loans .   If so provided by the Employer in Section 1.17 of the Adoption Agreement, the Administrator shall allow "participants" to apply for a loan from their Accounts under the Plan, subject to the provisions of this Article 9.

9.03. Separate Loan Procedures .   All Plan loans shall be made and administered in accordance with separate loan procedures that are hereby incorporated into the Plan by reference.
 
 
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9.04. Availability of Loans .   Loans shall be made available to all "participants" on a reasonably equivalent basis. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, no loans shall be made to (a) an Eligible Employee who makes a Rollover Contribution in accordance with Section 5.06, but who has not satisfied the requirements of Section 4.01 to become an Active Participant or (b) a "shareholder-employee" or "owner-employee".

Loans shall not be made available to "participants" who are Highly Compensated Employees in an amount greater than the amount made available to other "participants".

9.05. Limitation on Loan Amount .   No loan to any "participant" shall be made to the extent that such loan when added to the outstanding balance of all other loans to the "participant" would exceed the lesser of (a) $50,000 reduced by the excess (if any) of the highest outstanding balance of plan loans during the one-year period ending on the day before the loan is made over the outstanding balance of plan loans on the date the loan is made, or (b) one-half the present value of the "participant's" vested interest in his Account. For purposes of the above limitation, plan loans include all loans from all plans maintained by the Employer and any Related Employer.

9.06. Interest Rate .   All loans shall bear a reasonable rate of interest as determined by the Administrator based on the prevailing interest rates charged by persons in the business of lending money for loans which would be made under similar circumstances. The determination of a reasonable rate of interest must be based on appropriate regional factors unless the Plan is administered on a national basis in which case the Administrator may establish a uniform reasonable rate of interest applicable to all regions.

9.07. Level Amortization . All loans shall by their terms require that repayment (principal and interest) be amortized in level payments, not less than quarterly, over a period not extending beyond five years from the date of the loan unless such loan is for the purchase of a "participant's" primary residence. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the amortization requirement may be waived for a period not exceeding one year during which a "participant" is on a leave of absence from employment with the Employer and any Related Employer either without pay or at a rate of pay which, after withholding for employment and income taxes, is less than the amount of the installment payments required under the terms of the loan. Installment payments must resume after such leave of absence ends or, if earlier, after the first year of such leave of absence, in an amount that is not less than the amount of the installment payments required under the terms of the original loan. No waiver of the amortization requirements shall extend the period of the loan beyond five years from the date of the loan, unless the loan is for purchase of the "participant's" primary residence.

9.08. Security .   Loans must be secured by the "participant's" vested interest in his Account not to exceed 50 percent of such vested interest. If the provisions of Section 14.04 apply to a Participant, a Participant must obtain the consent of his or her spouse, if any, to use his vested interest in his Account as security for the loan. Spousal consent shall be obtained no earlier than the beginning of the 90-day period that ends on the date on which the loan is to be so secured. The consent must be in writing, must acknowledge the effect of the loan, and must be witnessed by a Plan representative or notary public. Such consent shall thereafter be binding with respect to the consenting spouse or any subsequent spouse with respect to that loan.

9.09. Transfer and Distribution of Loan Amounts from Permissible Investments . The Employer shall confirm the order in which the Permissible Investments shall be liquidated in order that the loan amount can be transferred and distributed.

9.10. Default .   The Administrator shall treat a loan in default if

(a)  any scheduled repayment remains unpaid at the end of the period specified in the separate loan procedures (unless payment is not made due to a waiver of the amortization schedule for a "participant" who is on a leave of absence, as described in Section 9.07), or

(b)  there is an outstanding principal balance existing on a loan after the last scheduled repayment date.

Upon default, the entire outstanding principal and accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable. If a distributable event (as defined by the Code) has occurred, the Administrator shall direct the Trustee to foreclose on the promissory note and offset the "participant's" vested interest in his Account by the outstanding balance of the loan. If a distributable event has not occurred, the Administrator shall direct the Trustee to foreclose on the promissory note and offset the "participant's" vested interest in his Account as soon as a distributable event occurs. The Trustee shall have no obligation to foreclose on the promissory note and offset the outstanding balance of the loan except as directed by the Administrator.

9.11. Effect of Termination Where Participant has Outstanding Loan Balance . If a Participant has an outstanding loan balance at the time his employment terminates, the entire outstanding principal and accrued interest shall be immediately due and payable. Any outstanding loan amounts that are immediately due and payable hereunder shall be treated in accordance with the provisions of Sections 9.10 and 9.12 as if the Participant had defaulted on the outstanding loan.

9.12. Deemed Distributions Under Code Section 72(p) .   Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 9.10, if a "participant's" loan is in default, the "participant" shall be treated as having received a taxable "deemed distribution" for purposes of Code Section 72(p), whether or not a distributable event has occurred. The amount of a loan that is a deemed distribution ceases to be an outstanding loan for purposes of Code Section 72, except as otherwise specifically provided herein, and a Participant shall not be treated as having received a taxable distribution when the Participant's Account is offset by the outstanding balance of the loan amount as provided in Section 9.10. In addition, interest that accrues on a loan after it is deemed distributed shall not be treated as an additional loan to the Participant and shall not be included in the income of the Participant as a deemed distribution. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless a Participant repays a loan that has been deemed distributed, with interest thereon, the amount of such loan, with interest, shall be considered an outstanding loan under Code Section 72(p) for purposes of determining the applicable limitation on subsequent loans under Section 9.05.

If a Participant makes payments on a loan that has been deemed distributed, payments made on the loan after the date it was deemed distributed shall be treated as Employee Contributions to the Plan for purposes of increasing the Participant's tax basis in his Account, but shall not be treated as Employee Contributions for any other purpose under the Plan, including application of the "ACP" test described in Section 6.06 and application of the Code Section 415 limitations described in Section 6.12.

The provisions of this Section 9.12 regarding treatment of loans that are deemed distributed shall be effective as of

(a)                 the Effective Date, if the Plan is a new plan or is an amendment and restatement of a plan that administered loans in accordance with the provisions of Q & A 19 and 20 of Section 1.72(p)-1 of the Proposed Treasury Regulations immediately prior to the Effective Date or

(b)                 as of the January 1 coinciding with or immediately following the Effective Date, in any other case.

Any loan that was deemed distributed prior to the date the provisions of this Section 9.12 are effective shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9.12 to the extent such administration is consistent with the transition rules in Q & A 21(c)(2) of Section 1.72(p)-1 of the Proposed Treasury Regulations.

9.13. Determination of Account Value Upon Distribution Where Plan Loan is Outstanding .   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the portion of a "participant's" vested interest in his Account that is held by the Plan as security for a loan outstanding to the "participant" in accordance with the provisions of this Article shall reduce the amount of the Account payable at the time of death or distribution, but only if the reduction is used as repayment of the loan. If less than 100 percent of a "participant's" vested interest in his Account (determined without regard to the preceding sentence) is payable to the "participant's" surviving spouse or other Beneficiary, then the Account shall be adjusted by first reducing the "participant's" vested interest in his Account by the amount of the security used as repayment of the loan, and then determining the benefit payable to the surviving spouse or other Beneficiary.

 
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Article 10. In-Service Withdrawals .

10.01. Availability of In-Service Withdrawals .   Except as otherwise permitted under Section 11.02 with respect to Participants who continue in employment past Normal Retirement Age, or as required under Section 12.04 with respect to Participants who continue in employment past their Required Beginning Date, a Participant shall not be permitted to make a withdrawal from his Account under the Plan prior to retirement or termination of employment with the Employer and all Related Employers, if any, except as provided in this Article.

10.02. Withdrawal of Employee Contributions .   A Participant may elect to withdraw, in cash, up to 100 percent of the amount then credited to his Employee Contributions Account. Such withdrawals may be made at any time, unless the Employer elects in Subsection 1.18(c)(1)(A) of the Adoption Agreement to limit the frequency of such withdrawals.

10.03. Withdrawal of Rollover Contributions .   A Participant may elect to withdraw, in cash, up to 100 percent of the amount then credited to his Rollover Contributions Account. Such withdrawals may be made at any time.

10.04. Age 59 1/2 Withdrawals .   If so provided by the Employer in Subsection 1.18(b) or the Protected In-Service Withdrawals Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, a Participant who continues in employment as an Employee and who has attained the age of 59 1/2 is permitted to withdraw upon request all or any portion of the Accounts specified by the Employer in Subsection 1.18(b) or the Protected In-Service Withdrawals Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, as applicable.

10.05. Hardship Withdrawals .   If so provided by the Employer in Subsection 1.18(a) of the Adoption Agreement, a Participant who continues in employment as an Employee may apply to the Administrator for a hardship withdrawal of all or any portion of his Deferral Contributions Account (excluding any earnings thereon accrued after the later of December 31, 1988 or the last day of the last Plan Year ending before July 1, 1989) and, if so provided by the Employer in Subsection 1.18(d)(2), such other Accounts as may be specified in Subsection (c) of the Protected In-Service Withdrawals Addendum to the Adoption Agreement. The minimum amount that a Participant may withdraw because of hardship is $500.

For purposes of this Section 10.05, a withdrawal is made on account of hardship if made on account of an immediate and heavy financial need of the Participant where such Participant lacks other available resources. Determinations with respect to hardship shall be made by the Administrator and shall be conclusive for purposes of the Plan, and shall be based on the following special rules:

(a)  The following are the only financial needs considered immediate and heavy:

(1)  expenses incurred or necessary for medical care (within the meaning of Code Section 213(d)) of the Participant, the Participant's spouse, children, or dependents;

(2)  the purchase (excluding mortgage payments) of a principal residence for the Participant;

(3)  payment of tuition, related educational fees, and room and board for the next 12 months of post-secondary education for the Participant, the Participant's spouse, children or dependents;

(4)  the need to prevent the eviction of the Participant from, or a foreclosure on the mortgage of, the Participant's principal residence; or

(5)  any other financial need determined to be immediate and heavy under rules and regulations issued by the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate.

(b)  A distribution shall be considered as necessary to satisfy an immediate and heavy financial need of the Participant only if:

(1)  The Participant has obtained all distributions, other than the hardship withdrawal, and all nontaxable (at the time of the loan) loans currently available under all plans maintained by the Employer or any Related Employer;

(2)  The Participant suspends Deferral Contributions and Employee Contributions to the Plan for the 12-month period following the date of his hardship withdrawal. The suspension must also apply to all elective contributions and employee contributions to all other qualified plans and non-qualified plans maintained by the Employer or any Related Employer, other than any mandatory employee contribution portion of a defined benefit plan, including stock option, stock purchase, and other similar plans, but not including health and welfare benefit plans (other than the cash or deferred arrangement portion of a cafeteria plan);

(3)  The withdrawal amount is not in excess of the amount of an immediate and heavy financial need (including amounts necessary to pay any Federal, state or local income taxes or penalties reasonably anticipated to result from the distribution); and

(4)  The Participant agrees to limit Deferral Contributions (and "elective deferrals", as defined in Subsection 6.01(i)) to the Plan and any other qualified plan maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer for the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant received the hardship withdrawal to the applicable limit under Code Section 402(g) for such calendar year less the amount of the Participant's Deferral Contributions (and "elective deferrals") for the calendar year in which the Participant received the hardship withdrawal.

10.06. Preservation of Prior Plan In-Service Withdrawal Rules .   As indicated by the Employer in Subsection 1.18(d) of the Adoption Agreement, to the extent required under Code Section 411(d)(6), in-service withdrawals that were available under a prior plan shall be available under the Plan.

(a)  If the Plan is a profit sharing plan, the following provisions shall apply to preserve prior in-service withdrawal provisions.

(1)                 If the Plan is an amendment and restatement of a prior plan or is a transferee plan of a prior plan that provided for in-service withdrawals from a Participant's Matching Employer and/or Nonelective Employer Contributions Accounts of amounts that have been held in such Accounts for a specified period of time, a Participant shall be entitled to withdraw at any time prior to his termination of employment, subject to any restrictions applicable under the prior plan that the Employer elects in Subsection 1.18(d)(1)(A)(i) of the Adoption Agreement to continue under the Plan as amended and restated hereunder (other than any mandatory suspension of contributions restriction), any vested amounts held in such Accounts for the period of time specified by the Employer in Subsection 1.18(d)(1)(A) of the Adoption Agreement.

(2)  If the Plan is an amendment and restatement of a prior plan or is a transferee plan of a prior plan that provided for in-service withdrawals from a Participant's Matching Employer and/or Nonelective Employer Contributions Accounts by Participants with at least 60 months of participation, a Participant with at least 60 months of participation shall be entitled to withdraw at any time prior to his termination of employment, subject to any restrictions applicable under the prior plan that the Employer elects in Subsection 1.18(d)(1)(B)(i) of the Adoption Agreement to continue under the Plan as amended and restated hereunder (other than any mandatory suspension of contributions restriction), any vested amounts held in such Accounts.

(3)  If the Plan is an amendment and restatement of a prior plan or is a transferee plan of a prior plan that provided for in-service withdrawals from a Participant's Matching Employer and/or Nonelective Employer Contributions Accounts under any other circumstances, a Participant who has met any applicable requirements, as set forth in the Protected In-Service Withdrawals Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, shall be entitled to withdraw at any time prior to his termination of employment any vested amounts held in such Accounts, subject to any restrictions applicable under the prior plan that the Employer elects to continue under the Plan as amended and restated hereunder, as set forth in the Protected In-Service Withdrawal Addendum to the Adoption Agreement.

(b)                 If the Plan is a money purchase pension plan that is an amendment and restatement of a prior profit sharing plan or is a transferee plan of a prior profit sharing plan that provided for in-service withdrawals from any portion of a Participant's Account other than his Employee Contributions and/or Rollover Contributions Accounts, a Participant who has met any applicable requirements, as set forth in the Protected in-Service Withdrawals Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, shall be entitled to withdraw at any time prior to his termination of employment his vested interest in amounts attributable to such prior profit sharing accounts, subject to any restrictions applicable under the prior plan that the Employer elects to continue under the Plan as amended and restated hereunder (other than any mandatory suspension of contributions restriction), as set forth in the Protected In-Service Withdrawal Addendum to the Adoption Agreement.
 
 
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10.07. Restrictions on In-Service Withdrawals .   The following restrictions apply to any in-service withdrawal made from a Participant's Account under this Article:

(a)  If the provisions of Section 14.04 apply to a Participant's Account, the Participant must obtain the consent of his spouse, if any, to obtain an in-service withdrawal.

(b)  In-service withdrawals shall be made in a lump sum payment, except that if the provisions of Section 14.04 apply to a Participant's Account, the Participant may receive the in-service withdrawal in the form of a "qualified joint and survivor annuity", as defined in Subsection 14.01(a).

(c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary other than the provisions of Section 11.02, a Participant shall not be permitted to make an in-service withdrawal from his Account of amounts attributable to contributions made to a money purchase pension plan, except employee and/or rollover contributions that were held in a separate account(s) under such plan.

10.08. Distribution of Withdrawal Amounts .   The Employer shall confirm the order in which the Permissible Investments shall be liquidated in order that the withdrawal amount can be distributed.


Article 11. Right to Benefits .

11.01. Normal or Early Retirement .   Each Participant who continues in employment as an Employee until his Normal Retirement Age or, if so provided by the Employer in Subsection 1.13(b) of the Adoption Agreement, Early Retirement Age, shall have a vested interest in his Account of 100 percent regardless of any vesting schedule elected in Section 1.15 of the Adoption Agreement. If a Participant retires upon the attainment of Normal or Early Retirement Age, such retirement is referred to as a normal retirement.

11.02. Late Retirement .   If a Participant continues in employment as an Employee after his Normal Retirement Age, he shall continue to have a 100 percent vested interest in his Account and shall continue to participate in the Plan until the date he establishes with the Employer for his late retirement. Until he retires, he has a continuing election to receive all or any portion of his Account.

11.03. Disability Retirement .   If so provided by the Employer in Subsection 1.13(c) of the Adoption Agreement, a Participant who becomes disabled while employed as an Employee shall have a 100 percent vested interest in his Account regardless of any vesting schedule elected in Section 1.15 of the Adoption Agreement. An Employee is considered disabled if he satisfies any of the requirements for disability retirement selected by the Employer in Section 1.14 of the Adoption Agreement and terminates his employment with the Employer. Such termination of employment is referred to as a disability retirement. Determinations with respect to disability shall be made by the Administrator.

11.04. Death .   If a Participant who is employed as an Employee dies, his Account shall become 100 percent vested and his designated Beneficiary shall be entitled to receive the balance of his Account, plus any amounts thereafter credited to his Account. If a Participant whose employment as an Employee has terminated dies, his designated Beneficiary shall be entitled to receive the Participant's vested interest in his Account.

A copy of the death notice or other sufficient documentation must be filed with and approved by the Administrator. If upon the death of the Participant there is, in the opinion of the Administrator, no designated Beneficiary for part or all of the Participant's Account, such amount shall be paid to his surviving spouse or, if none, to his estate (such spouse or estate shall be deemed to be the Beneficiary for purposes of the Plan). If a Beneficiary dies after benefits to such Beneficiary have commenced, but before they have been completed, and, in the opinion of the Administrator, no person has been designated to receive such remaining benefits, then such benefits shall be paid in a lump sum to the deceased Beneficiary's estate.

Subject to the requirements of Section 14.04, a Participant may designate a Beneficiary, or change any prior designation of Beneficiary by giving notice to the Administrator on a form designated by the Administrator. If more than one person is designated as the Beneficiary, their respective interests shall be as indicated on the designation form. In the case of a married Participant, the Participant's spouse shall be deemed to be the designated Beneficiary unless the Participant's spouse has consented to another designation in the manner described in Section 14.06.

11.05. Other Termination of Employment .   If a Participant terminates his employment with the Employer and all Related Employers, if any, for any reason other than death or normal, late, or disability retirement, he shall be entitled to a termination benefit equal to the sum of (a) his vested interest in the balance of his Matching Employer and/or Nonelective Employer Contributions Account(s), other than the balance attributable to safe harbor Matching Employer and/or safe harbor Nonelective Employer Contributions elected by the Employer in Subsection 1.10(a)(3) or 1.11(a)(3) of the Adoption Agreement, such vested interest to be determined in accordance with the vesting schedule(s) selected by the Employer in Section 1.15 of the Adoption Agreement, and (b) the balance of his Deferral, Employee, Qualified Nonelective Employer, Qualified Matching Employer, and Rollover Contributions Accounts, and the balance of his Matching Employer or Nonelective Employer Contributions Account that is attributable to safe harbor Matching Employer and/or safe harbor Nonelective Employer Contributions.

11.06. Application for Distribution .   Unless a Participant's Account is cashed out as provided in Section 13.02, a Participant (or his Beneficiary, if the Participant has died) who is entitled to a distribution hereunder must make application, in a form acceptable to the Administrator, for a distribution from his Account. No distribution shall be made hereunder without proper application therefore, except as otherwise provided in Section 13.02.
 
 
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11.07. Application of Vesting Schedule Following Partial Distribution .   If a distribution from a Participant's Matching Employer and/or Nonelective Employer Contributions Account has been made to him at a time when he is less than 100 percent vested in such Account balance, the vesting schedule(s) in Section 1.15 of the Adoption Agreement shall thereafter apply only to the balance of his Account attributable to Matching Employer and/or Nonelective Employer Contributions allocated after such distribution. The balance of the Account from which such distribution was made shall be transferred to a separate account immediately following such distribution.

At any relevant time prior to a forfeiture of any portion thereof under Section 11.08, a Participant's vested interest in such separate account shall be equal to P(AB + (RxD))-(RxD), where P is the Participant's vested interest at the relevant time determined under Section 11.05; AB is the account balance of the separate account at the relevant time; D is the amount of the distribution; and R is the ratio of the account balance at the relevant time to the account balance after distribution. Following a forfeiture of any portion of such separate account under Section 11.08 below, any balance in the Participant's separate account shall remain 100 percent vested.

11.08. Forfeitures .   If a Participant terminates his employment with the Employer and all Related Employers before he is 100 percent vested in his Matching Employer and/or Nonelective Employer Contributions Accounts, the non-vested portion of his Account (including any amounts credited after his termination of employment) shall be forfeited by him as follows:

(a)  If the Inactive Participant elects to receive distribution of his entire vested interest in his Account, the non-vested portion of his Account shall be forfeited upon the complete distribution of such vested interest, subject to the possibility of reinstatement as provided in Section 11.10. For purposes of this Subsection, if the value of an Employee's vested interest in his Account balance is zero, the Employee shall be deemed to have received a distribution of his vested interest immediately following termination of employment.

(b) If the Inactive Participant elects not to receive distribution of his vested interest in his Account following his termination of employment, the non-vested portion of his Account shall be forfeited after the Participant has incurred five consecutive Breaks in Vesting Service.

No forfeitures shall occur solely as a result of a Participant's withdrawal of Employee Contributions.

11.09. Application of Forfeitures .   Any forfeitures occurring during a Plan Year shall be applied to reduce the contributions of the Employer, unless the Employer has elected in Subsection 1.15(d)(3) of the Adoption Agreement that such remaining forfeitures shall be allocated among the Accounts of Active Participants who are eligible to receive allocations of Nonelective Employer Contributions for the Plan Year in which the forfeiture occurs. Forfeitures that are allocated among the Accounts of eligible Active Participants shall be allocated in the same manner as Nonelective Employer Contributions. If the plan is a money purchase pension plan or the Employer has elected a fixed Nonelective Employer Contribution rate rather than a discretionary rate, forfeitures shall incrementally increase the amount allocated to the Accounts of eligible Active Participants. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, forfeitures may first be used to pay administrative expenses under the Plan, as directed by the Employer. To the extent that forfeitures are not used to reduce administrative expenses under the Plan, as directed by the Employer, forfeitures will be applied in accordance with this Section 11.09.

Pending application, forfeitures shall be held in the Permissible Investment selected by the Employer for such purpose or, absent Employer selection, in the most conservative Permissible Investment designated by the Employer in the Service Agreement.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event may forfeitures be used to reduce the Employer's obligation to remit to the Trust (or other appropriate Plan funding vehicle) loan repayments made pursuant to Article 9, Deferral Contributions or Employee Contributions.

11.10. Reinstatement of Forfeitures .   If a Participant forfeits any portion of his Account under Subsection 11.08(a) because of distribution of his complete vested interest in his Account, but again becomes an Employee, then the amount so forfeited, without any adjustment for the earnings, expenses, losses, or gains of the assets credited to his Account since the date forfeited, shall be recredited to his Account (or to a separate account as described in Section 11.07, if applicable) if he meets all of the following requirements:

(a) he again becomes an Employee before the date he incurs five-consecutive Breaks in Vesting Service following the date complete distribution of his vested interest was made to him; and

(b)  he repays to the Plan the amount previously distributed to him, without interest, within five years of his Reemployment Date. If an Employee is deemed to have received distribution of his complete vested interest as provided in Section 11.08, the Employee shall be deemed to have repaid such distribution on his Reemployment Date.

Upon such an actual or deemed repayment, the provisions of the Plan (including Section 11.07) shall thereafter apply as if no forfeiture had occurred. The amount to be recredited pursuant to this paragraph shall be derived first from the forfeitures, if any, which as of the date of recrediting have yet to be applied as provided in Section 11.09 and, to the extent such forfeitures are insufficient, from a special contribution to be made by the Employer.

11.11. Adjustment for Investment Experience . If any distribution under this Article 11 is not made in a single payment, the amount retained by the Trustee after the distribution shall be subject to adjustment until distributed to reflect the income and gain or loss on the investments in which such amount is invested and any expenses properly charged under the Plan and Trust to such amounts.

Article 12. Distributions .

12.01. Restrictions on Distributions .   A Participant, or his Beneficiary, may not receive a distribution from his Deferral Contributions, Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions, Qualified Matching Employer Contributions, safe harbor Matching Employer Contributions or safe harbor Nonelective Employer Contributions Accounts earlier than upon the Participant's separation from service with the Employer and all Related Employers, death, or disability, except as otherwise provided in Article 10, Section 11.02 or Section 12.04. Notwithstanding the foregoing, amounts may also be distributed from such Accounts, in the form of a lump sum only, upon

(a)  Termination of the Plan without establishment of another defined contribution plan, other than an employee stock ownership plan (as defined in Code Section 4975(e) or 409) or a simplified employee pension plan as defined in Code Section 408(k).

(b)  The disposition by a corporation to an unrelated corporation of substantially all of the assets (within the meaning of Code Section 409(d)(2)) used in a trade or business of such corporation if such corporation continues to maintain the Plan after the disposition, but only with respect to former Employees who continue employment with the corporation acquiring such assets.

(c)  The disposition by a corporation to an unrelated entity of such corporation's interest in a subsidiary (within the meaning of Code Section 409(d)(3)) if such corporation continues to maintain this Plan, but only with respect to former Employees who continue employment with such subsidiary.

 
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12.02. Timing of Distribution Following Retirement or Termination of Employment . Except as otherwise elected by the Employer in Subsection 1.20(b) and provided in the Postponed Distribution Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, the balance of a Participant's vested interest in his Account shall be distributable upon his termination of employment with the Employer and all Related Employers, if any, because of death, normal, early, or disability retirement (as permitted under the Plan), or other termination of employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant whose vested interest in his Account exceeds $5,000 as determined under Section 13.02 (or such larger amount as may be specified in Code Section 417(e)(1)) may elect to postpone distribution of his Account until his Required Beginning Date. A Participant who elects to postpone distribution has a continuing election to receive such distribution prior to the date as of which distribution is required, unless such Participant is reemployed as an Employee.

12.03. Participant Consent to Distribution .   If a Participant's vested interest in his Account exceeds $5,000 as determined under Section 13.02 (or such larger amount as may be specified in Code Section 417(e)(1)), no distribution shall be made to the Participant before he reaches his Normal Retirement Age (or age 62, if later), unless the consent of the Participant has been obtained. Such consent shall be made within the 90-day period ending on the Participant's Annuity Starting Date.

The consent of the Participant's spouse must also be obtained if the Participant's Account is subject to the provisions of Section 14.04, unless the distribution shall be made in the form of a "qualified joint and survivor annuity" as defined in Section 14.01. A spouse's consent to early distribution, if required, must satisfy the requirements of Section 14.06.

Neither the consent of the Participant nor the Participant's spouse shall be required to the extent that a distribution is required to satisfy Code Section 401(a)(9) or Code Section 415. In addition, upon termination of the Plan if it does not offer an annuity option (purchased from a commercial provider) and if the Employer or any Related Employer does not maintain another defined contribution plan (other than an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)) the Participant's Account shall, without the Participant's consent, be distributed to the Participant. However, if any Related Employer maintains another defined contribution plan (other than an employee stock ownership plan as defined in Code Section 4975(e)(7)) then the Participant's Account shall be transferred, without the Participant's consent, to the other plan if the Participant does not consent to an immediate distribution.

12.04. Required Commencement of Distribution to Participants .   In no event shall distribution to a Participant commence later than the earlier of the dates described in (a) and (b) below:

(a)  unless the Participant (and his spouse, if appropriate) elects otherwise, the 60th day after the close of the Plan Year in which occurs the latest of (i) the date on which the Participant attains Normal Retirement Age, or age 65, if earlier, (ii) the date on which the Participant's employment with the Employer and all Related Employers ceases, or (iii) the 10th anniversary of the year in which the Participant commenced participation in the Plan; and

(b)  the Participant's Required Beginning Date.

Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection 12.04(a) above, the failure of a Participant (and the Participant's spouse, if applicable) to consent to a distribution as required under Section 12.03, shall be deemed to be an election to defer commencement of payment as provided in Subsection 12.04(a) above.

12.05. Required Commencement of Distribution to Beneficiaries .   If a Participant dies before his Annuity Starting Date, the Participant's Beneficiary shall receive distribution of the Participant's vested interest in his Account in the form provided under Article 13 or 14, as applicable, beginning as soon as reasonably practicable following the date the Beneficiary's application for distribution is filed with the Administrator. Unless distribution is to be made over the life or over a period certain not greater than the life expectancy of the Beneficiary, distribution of the Participant's entire vested interest shall be made to the Beneficiary no later than the end of the fifth calendar year beginning after the Participant's death. If distribution is to be made over the life or over a period certain no greater than the life expectancy of the Beneficiary, distribution shall commence no later than:

(a)
If the Beneficiary is not the Participant's spouse, the end of the first calendar year beginning after the Participant's death; or

(b)
If the Beneficiary is the Participant's spouse, the later of (i) the end of the first calendar year beginning after the Participant's death or (ii) the end of the calendar year in which the Participant would have attained age 70 1/2 .

If distribution is to be made to a Participant's spouse, it shall be made available within a reasonable period of time after the Participant's death that is no less favorable than the period of time applicable to other distributions. In the event such spouse dies prior to the date distribution commences, he shall be treated for purposes of this Section 12.05 (other than Subsection 12.05(b) above) as if he were the Participant. Any amount paid to a child of the Participant shall be treated as if it had been paid to the surviving spouse if the amount becomes payable to the surviving spouse when the child reaches the age of majority.

If the Participant has not designated a Beneficiary, or the Participant or Beneficiary has not effectively selected a method of distribution, distribution of the Participant's benefit shall be completed by the close of the calendar year in which the fifth anniversary of the death of the Participant occurs.

If a Participant dies on or after his Annuity Starting Date, but before his entire vested interest in his Account is distributed, his Beneficiary shall receive distribution of the remainder of the Participant's vested interest in his Account beginning as soon as reasonably practicable following the Participant's date of death in a form that provides for distribution at least as rapidly as under the form in which the Participant was receiving distribution.

12.06. Whereabouts of Participants and Beneficiaries .   The Administrator shall at all times be responsible for determining the whereabouts of each Participant or Beneficiary who may be entitled to benefits under the Plan and shall at all times be responsible for instructing the Trustee in writing as to the current address of each such Participant or Beneficiary. The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the latest written statement received from the Administrator as to such addresses. The Trustee shall be under no duty to make any distributions under the Plan unless and until it has received written instructions from the Administrator satisfactory to the Trustee containing the name and address of the distributee, the time when the distribution is to occur, and the form which the distribution shall take.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Trustee attempts to make a distribution in accordance with the Administrator's instructions but is unable to make such distribution because the whereabouts of the distributee is unknown, the Trustee shall notify the Administrator of such situation and thereafter the Trustee shall be under no duty to make any further distributions to such distributee until it receives further written instructions from the Administrator.

If the Administrator is unable after diligent attempts to locate a Participant or Beneficiary who is entitled to a benefit under the Plan, the benefit otherwise payable to such Participant or Beneficiary shall be forfeited and applied as provided in Section 11.09. If a benefit is forfeited because the Administrator determines that the Participant or Beneficiary cannot be found, such benefit shall be reinstated by the Employer if a claim is filed by the Participant or Beneficiary with the Administrator and the Administrator confirms the claim to the Employer. Notwithstanding the above, forfeiture of a Participant's or Beneficiary's benefit may occur only if a distribution could be made to the Participant or Beneficiary without obtaining the Participant's or Beneficiary's consent in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.411(a)-11 of the Treasury Regulations.

 
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Article 13. Form of Distribution .

13.01. Normal Form of Distribution Under Profit Sharing Plan .   Unless the Plan is a money purchase pension plan subject to the requirements of Article 14, or a Participant's Account is otherwise subject to the requirements of Section 14.03 or 14.04, distributions to a Participant or to the Beneficiary of the Participant shall be made in a lump sum in cash or, if elected by the Participant (or the Participant's Beneficiary, if applicable) and provided by the Employer in Section 1.19 of the Adoption Agreement, under a systematic withdrawal plan (installments). A Participant (or the Participant's Beneficiary, if applicable) who is receiving distribution under a systematic withdrawal plan may elect to accelerate installment payments or to receive a lump sum distribution of the remainder of his Account balance. Distribution may also be made hereunder in any non-annuity form that is a protected benefit and is provided by the Employer in Section 1.19(d) of the Adoption Agreement.

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if a distribution to a Participant commences on the Participant’s Required Beginning Date as determined under Subsection 2.01(ss), the Participant may elect to receive distributions under a systematic withdrawal plan that provides the minimum distributions required under Code Section 401(a)(9).

Distributions shall be made in cash, except that distributions may be made in Fund Shares of marketable securities (as defined in Code Section 731(c)(2)), other than Fund Shares of Employer Stock, at the election of the Participant, pursuant to the qualifying rollover of such distribution to a Fidelity Investments â individual retirement account.  A distribution may be made in the form of Fund Shares of Employer Stock or an in-kind distribution of Plan investments that are not marketable securities only if and to the extent provided in Section 1.19(d) of the Adoption Agreement; provided, however, that notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, the right of a Participant to receive a distribution in the form of Fund Shares of Employer Stock or an in-kind distribution of Plan investments that are not marketable securities applies only to that portion of the Participant's Account invested in such form at the time of distribution.

13.02. Cash Out Of Small Accounts .   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, if a Participant's vested interest in his Account is $5,000 (or such larger amount as may be specified in Code Section 417(e)(1)) or less, the Participant's vested interest in his Account shall be distributed in a lump sum as soon as practicable following the Participant's termination of employment because of retirement, disability, death or other termination of employment. For purposes of this Section, until final Treasury Regulations are issued to the contrary, if either (a) a Participant has commenced distribution of his Account under a systematic withdrawal plan or (b) his Account is subject to the provisions of Section 14.04 and the Participant's Annuity Starting Date has occurred with respect to amounts currently held in his Account, the Participant's vested interest in his Account shall be deemed to exceed $5,000 (or such larger amount as may be specified in Code Section 417(e)(1)) if the Participant's vested interest in such amounts exceeded such dollar amount on the Participant's Annuity Starting Date.

Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 13.02, the Employer may determine not to cash out Participant Accounts in accordance with the foregoing provisions, provided that such determination is uniform with respect to all Participants and non-discriminatory.

13.03. Minimum Distributions .   This Section applies to distributions under a systematic withdrawal plan that are made on or after a Participant's Required Beginning Date or his date of death, if earlier. This Section shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the regulations under Code Section 401(a)(9), including the minimum distribution incidental benefit requirement of Section 1.401(a)(9)-2 of the Proposed Treasury Regulations, or any successor regulations of similar import.

Distribution must be made in substantially equal annual, or more frequent, installments, in cash, over a period certain which does not extend beyond the life expectancy or joint life expectancies of the Participant and his Beneficiary or, if the Participant dies prior to the commencement of distributions from his Account, the life expectancy of the Participant's Beneficiary. The amount to be distributed for each calendar year for which a minimum distribution is required shall be at least an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's interest in his Account by the life expectancy of the Participant or Beneficiary or the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the Participant and his Beneficiary, whichever is applicable. The amount to be distributed for each calendar year shall not be less than an amount equal to the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant's interest in his Account by the lesser of (a) the applicable life expectancy, or (b) if a Participant's Beneficiary is not his spouse, the applicable divisor determined under Section 1.401(a)(9)-2, Q&A 4 of the Proposed Treasury Regulations, or any successor regulations of similar import. Distributions after the death of the Participant shall be made using the applicable life expectancy under (a) above, without regard to Section 1.401(a)(9)-2 of such regulations. For purposes of this Section 13.03, life expectancy and joint life and last survivor expectancy shall be computed by use of the expected return multiples in Table V and VI of Section 1.72-9 of the Treasury Regulations.

For purposes of this Section 13.03, the life expectancy of a Participant or a Beneficiary who is the Participant's surviving spouse shall be recalculated annually unless the Participant or the Participant's spouse irrevocably elects otherwise prior to the time distributions are required to begin. If not recalculated in accordance with the foregoing, life expectancy shall be calculated using the attained age of the Participant or Beneficiary, whichever is applicable, as of such individual's birth date in the first year for which a minimum distribution is required reduced by one for each elapsed calendar year since the date life expectancy was first calculated.

If the Participant dies after distribution of his benefits has begun, distributions to the Participant's Beneficiary shall be made at least as rapidly as under the method of distribution being used as of the date of the Participant's death.

A Participant's interest in his Account for purposes of this Section 13.03 shall be determined as of the last valuation date in the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year for which a minimum distribution is required, increased by the amount of any contributions allocated to, and decreased by any distributions from, such Account after the valuation date. Any distribution for the first year for which a minimum distribution is required made after the close of such year shall be treated as if made prior to the close of such year.

The Administrator shall notify the Trustee in writing whenever a distribution is necessary in order to comply with the minimum distribution rules set forth in this Section 13.03.
 
 
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13.04. Direct Rollovers .   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, a "distributee" may elect, at the time and in the manner prescribed by the Administrator, to have any portion or all of an "eligible rollover distribution" paid directly to an "eligible retirement plan" specified by the "distributee" in a direct rollover; provided, however, that this provision shall not apply if the total "eligible rollover distribution" that the "distributee" is reasonably expected to receive for the calendar year is less than $200 and that a "distributee" may not elect a direct rollover with respect to a portion of an "eligible rollover distribution" if such portion totals less than $500. For purposes of this Section 13.04, the following definitions shall apply:

(a)  "Distributee" means a Participant , the Participant's surviving spouse, and the Participant's spouse or former spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order, who is entitled to receive a distribution from the Participant's vested interest in his Account.

(b)  "Eligible retirement plan" means an individual retirement account described in Code Section 408(a), an individual retirement annuity described in Code Section 408(b), an annuity plan described in Code Section 403(a), or a qualified trust described in Code Section 401(a), that accepts "eligible rollover distributions". However, in the case of an "eligible rollover distribution" to a surviving spouse, an "eligible retirement plan" means an individual retirement account or individual retirement annuity.

(c)  "Eligible rollover distribution" means any distribution of all or any portion of the balance to the credit of the "distributee", except that an "eligible rollover distribution" does not include the following:

(1)  any distribution that is one of a series of substantially equal periodic payments (not less frequently than annually) made for the life (or life expectancy) of the "distributee" or the joint lives (or joint life expectancies) of the "distributee" and the "distributee's" designated beneficiary, or for a specified period of ten years or more;

(2)  any distribution to the extent such distribution is required under Code Section 401(a)(9);

(3) the portion of any distribution that is not includable in gross income (determined without regard to the exclusion for net unrealized appreciation with respect to employer securities);

(4)  any hardship withdrawal of Deferral Contributions made in accordance with the provisions of Section 10.05 or the Protected In-Service Withdrawals Addendum to the Adoption Agreement.

13.05. Notice Regarding Timing and Form of Distribution .   Within the period beginning 90 days before a Participant's Annuity Starting Date and ending 30 days before such date, the Administrator shall provide such Participant with written notice containing a general description of the material features and an explanation of the relative values of the forms of benefit available under the Plan and informing the Participant of his right to defer receipt of the distribution until his Required Beginning Date and his right to make a direct rollover.

Distribution may commence fewer than 30 days after such notice is given, provided that:

(a)  the Administrator clearly informs the Participant that the Participant has a right to a period of at least 30 days after receiving the notice to consider the decision of whether or not to elect a distribution (and, if applicable, a particular distribution option);

(b)  the Participant, after receiving the notice, affirmatively elects a distribution, with his spouse's written consent, if necessary;

(c)  if the Participant's Account is subject to the requirements of Section 14.04, the following additional requirements apply:

(1)  the Participant is permitted to revoke his affirmative distribution election at any time prior to the later of (A) his Annuity Starting Date or (B) the expiration of the seven-day period beginning the day after such notice is provided to him; and

(2)  distribution does not begin to such Participant until such revocation period ends.

13.06. Determination of Method of Distribution .   Subject to Section 13.02, the Participant shall determine the method of distribution of benefits to himself and may determine the method of distribution to his Beneficiary. Such determination shall be made prior to the time benefits become payable under the Plan. If the Participant does not determine the method of distribution to his Beneficiary or if the Participant permits his Beneficiary to override his determination, the Beneficiary, in the event of the Participant's death, shall determine the method of distribution of benefits to himself as if he were the Participant. A determination by the Beneficiary must be made no later than the close of the calendar year in which distribution would be required to begin under Section 12.05 or, if earlier, the close of the calendar year in which the fifth anniversary of the death of the Participant occurs.

13.07. Notice to Trustee .   The Administrator shall notify the Trustee in any medium acceptable to the Trustee, which may be specified in the Service Agreement, whenever any Participant or Beneficiary is entitled to receive benefits under the Plan. The Administrator's notice shall indicate the form of payment of benefits that such Participant or Beneficiary shall receive, (in the case of distributions to a Participant) the name of any designated Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, and such other information as the Trustee shall require.


Article 14. Superseding Annuity Distribution Provisions .

14.01. Special Definitions .   For purposes of this Article, the following special definitions shall apply:

(a)  " Qualified joint and survivor annuity " means (1) if the Participant is not married on his Annuity Starting Date, an immediate annuity payable for the life of the Participant or (2) if the Participant is married on his Annuity Starting Date, an immediate annuity for the life of the Participant with a survivor annuity for the life of the Participant's spouse (to whom the Participant was married on the Annuity Starting Date) which is equal to at least 50 percent of the amount of the annuity which is payable during the joint lives of the Participant and such spouse, provided that the survivor annuity shall not be payable to a Participant's spouse if such spouse is not the same spouse to whom the Participant was married on his Annuity Starting Date.

(b)  " Qualified preretirement survivor annuity " means an annuity purchased with at least 50 percent of a Participant's vested interest in his Account that is payable for the life of a Participant's surviving spouse. The Employer shall specify that portion of a Participant's vested interest in his Account that is to be used to purchase the "qualified preretirement survivor annuity" in Section 1.19 of the Adoption Agreement.

14.02. Applicability .   The provisions of this Article shall apply to a Participant's Account if:

(a)
the Plan is a money purchase pension plan;

(b)                 the Plan is an amendment and restatement of a plan that provided an annuity form of payment and such form of payment has not been eliminated pursuant to Subsection 1.19(e) and the Forms of Payment Addendum to the Adoption Agreement;

(c)                 the Participant's Account contains assets attributable to amounts directly or indirectly transferred from a plan that provided an annuity form of payment and such form of payment has not been eliminated pursuant to Subsection 1.19(e) and the Forms of Payment Addendum to the Adoption Agreement.

 
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14.03. Annuity Form of Payment .   To the extent provided in Section 1.19 of the Adoption Agreement, a Participant may elect distributions made in whole or in part in the form of an annuity contract. Any annuity contract distributed under the Plan shall be subject to the provisions of this Section 14.03 and, to the extent provided therein, Sections 14.04 through 14.09.

(a)  At the direction of the Administrator, the Trustee shall purchase the annuity contract on behalf of a Participant or Beneficiary from an insurance company. Such annuity contract shall be nontransferable.

(b)  The terms of the annuity contract shall comply with the requirements of the Plan and distributions under such contract shall be made in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(9) and the regulations thereunder.

(c)  The annuity contract may provide for payment over the life of the Participant and, upon the death of the Participant, may provide a survivor annuity continuing for the life of the Participant's designated Beneficiary. Such an annuity may provide for an annuity certain feature for a period not exceeding the life expectancy of the Participant or, if the annuity is payable to the Participant and a designated Beneficiary, the joint life and last survivor expectancy of the Participant and such Beneficiary. If the Participant dies prior to his Annuity Starting Date, the annuity contract distributed to the Participant's Beneficiary may provide for payment over the life of the Beneficiary, and may provide for an annuity certain feature for a period not exceeding the life expectancy of the Beneficiary. The types of annuity contracts provided under the Plan shall be limited to the types of annuities described in Section 1.19 and the Forms of Payment Addendum to the Adoption Agreement.

(d)  The annuity contract must provide for nonincreasing payments.

14.04. "Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity" and "Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity" Requirements .   The requirements of this Section 14.04 apply to a Participant's Account if:

(a)  the Plan is a money purchase pension plan;

(b) the Plan is a profit sharing plan and the Employer has selected distribution in the form of a life annuity as the normal form of distribution with respect to such Participant's Account in Subsection 1.19(c)(2)(B) of the Adoption Agreement; or

(c) the Plan is a profit sharing plan and the Employer has specified distribution in the form of a life annuity as the normal form of distribution in Subsection (c)(2)(B) of the Forms of Payment Addendum to the Adoption Agreement and the Participant's Annuity Starting Date occurs prior to the date specified in Subsection (c)(4) of the Forms of Payment Addendum to the Adoption Agreement;

(d)  the Participant is permitted to elect and has elected distribution in the form of an annuity contract payable over the life of the Participant.

If a Participant's Account is subject to the requirements of this Section 14.04, distribution shall be made to the Participant in the form of a "qualified joint and survivor annuity" (with a survivor annuity in the percentage amount specified by the Employer in Subsection 1.19 of the Adoption Agreement), unless the Participant waives the "qualified joint and survivor annuity" as provided in Section 14.05. If the Participant dies prior to his Annuity Starting Date, distribution shall be made to the Participant's surviving spouse, if any, in the form of a "qualified preretirement survivor annuity", unless the Participant waives the "qualified preretirement survivor annuity" as provided in Section 14.05, or the Participant's surviving spouse elects in writing to receive distribution in one of the other forms of payment provided under the Plan. If the Employer has specified in Section 1.19 of the Adoption Agreement that less than 100 percent of a Participant's Account shall be used to purchase the "qualified preretirement survivor annuity", distribution of the balance of the Participant's vested interest in his Account that is not used to purchase the "qualified preretirement survivor annuity" shall be distributed to the Participant's designated Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of Sections 11.04 and 12.05.

14.05. Waiver of the "Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity" and/or "Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity" Rights .   A Participant may waive the "qualified joint and survivor annuity" described in Section 14.04 and elect another form of distribution permitted under the Plan at any time during the 90-day period ending on his Annuity Starting Date; provided, however, that if the Participant is married, his spouse must consent in writing to such election as provided in Section 14.06. Spousal consent is not required if the Participant elects distribution in the form of a different "qualified joint and survivor annuity".

A Participant may waive the "qualified preretirement survivor annuity" and designate a non-spouse Beneficiary at any time during the "applicable election period"; provided, however, that the Participant's spouse must consent in writing to such election as provided in Section 14.06. The "applicable election period" begins on the later of (1) the date the Participant's Account becomes subject to the requirements of Section 14.04 or (2) the first day of the Plan Year in which the Participant attains age 35 or, if he terminates employment prior to such date, the date he terminates employment with the Employer and all Related Employers. The "applicable election period" ends on the earlier of the Participant's Annuity Starting Date or the date of the Participant's death. A Participant whose employment has not terminated may elect to waive the "qualified preretirement survivor annuity" prior to the Plan Year in which he attains age 35, provided that any such waiver shall cease to be effective as of the first day of the Plan Year in which the Participant attains age 35.

If the Employer has specified in Section 1.19 of the Adoption Agreement that less than 100 percent of a Participant's Account shall be used to purchase the "qualified preretirement survivor annuity", the Participant may designate a non-spouse Beneficiary for the balance of the Participant's vested interest in his Account that is not used to purchase the "qualified preretirement survivor annuity". Such designation shall not be subject to the spousal consent requirements of Section 14.06.

14.06. Spouse's Consent to Waiver .   A spouse's written consent to a Participant's waiver of the "qualified joint and survivor annuity" or "qualified preretirement survivor annuity" forms of distribution must acknowledge the effect of the Participant's election and must be witnessed by a Plan representative or a notary public. In addition, the spouse's written consent must either (a) specify the form of distribution elected instead of the "qualified joint and survivor annuity", if applicable, and that such form may not be changed (except to a "qualified joint and survivor annuity") without written spousal consent and specify any non-spouse Beneficiary designated by the Participant, if applicable, and that such designation may not be changed without written spousal consent or (b) acknowledge that the spouse has the right to limit consent as provided in clause (a) above, but permit the Participant to change the form of distribution elected or the designated Beneficiary without the spouse's further consent.

A Participant's spouse shall be deemed to have given written consent to a Participant's waiver if the Participant establishes to the satisfaction of a Plan representative that spousal consent cannot be obtained because the spouse cannot be located or because of other circumstances set forth in Code Section 401(a)(11) and Treasury Regulations issued thereunder.

Any written consent given or deemed to have been given by a Participant's spouse hereunder shall be irrevocable and shall be effective only with respect to such spouse and not with respect to any subsequent spouse.

A spouse's consent to a Participant's waiver shall be valid only if the applicable notice described in Section 14.07 or 14.08 has been provided to the Participant.

 
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14.07. Notice Regarding "Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity" .   The notice provided to a Participant under Section 14.05 shall include a written explanation of (a) the terms and conditions of the "qualified joint and survivor annuity" provided herein, (b) the Participant's right to make, and the effect of, an election to waive the "qualified joint and survivor annuity", (c) the rights of the Participant's spouse under Section 14.06, and (d) the Participant's right to revoke an election to waive the "qualified joint and survivor annuity" prior to his Annuity Starting Date.

14.08. Notice Regarding "Qualified Preretirement Survivor Annuity" .   If a Participant's Account is subject to the requirements of Section 14.04, the Administrator shall provide the Participant with a written explanation of the "qualified preretirement survivor annuity" comparable to the written explanation provided with respect to the "qualified joint and survivor annuity", as described in Section 14.07. Such explanation shall be furnished within whichever of the following periods ends last:

(a)                 the period beginning with the first day of the Plan Year in which the Participant reaches age 32 and ending with the end of the Plan Year preceding the Plan Year in which he reaches age 35;

(b)                 a reasonable period ending after the Employee becomes an Active Participant;

(c)                 a reasonable period ending after Section 14.04 first becomes applicable to the Participant's Account; or

(d)                 in the case of a Participant who separates from service before age 35, a reasonable period ending after such separation from service.

For purposes of the preceding sentence, the two-year period beginning one year prior to the date of the event described in Subsection 14.08(b), (c) or (d) above, whichever is applicable, and ending one year after such date shall be considered reasonable, provided, that in the case of a Participant who separates from service under Subsection 14.08(d) above and subsequently recommences employment with the Employer, the applicable period for such Participant shall be redetermined in accordance with this Section 14.08.

14.09. Former Spouse .   For purposes of this Article, a former spouse of a Participant shall be treated as the spouse or surviving spouse of the Participant, and a current spouse shall not be so treated, to the extent required under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Code Section 414(p).


Article 15. Top-Heavy Provisions .

15.01. Definitions .   For purposes of this Article, the following special definitions shall apply:

(a)  " Determination date " means, for any Plan Year subsequent to the first Plan Year, the last day of the preceding Plan Year. For the first Plan Year of the Plan, "determination date" means the last day of that Plan Year.

(b)  " Determination period " means the Plan Year containing the "determination date" and the four preceding Plan Years.

(c)  " Key employee " means any Employee or former Employee (and the  Beneficiary of any such Employee) who at any time during the "determination period" was (1) an officer of the Employer or a Related Employer whose annual Compensation exceeds 50 percent of the dollar limitation under Code Section 415(b)(1)(A), (2) one of the ten Employees whose annual Compensation from the Employer or a Related Employer exceeds the dollar limitation under Code Section 415(c)(1)(A) and who owns (or is considered as owning under Code Section 318) one of the largest interests in the Employer and all Related Employers, (3) a five percent owner of the Employer and all Related Employers, or (4) a one percent owner of the Employer and all Related Employers whose annual Compensation exceeds $150,000. The determination of who is a "key employee" shall be made in accordance with Code Section 416(i)(1)  and regulations issued thereunder.

(d)  " Permissive aggregation group " means the "required aggregation group" plus any other qualified plans of the Employer or a Related Employer which, when considered as a group with the "required aggregation group", would continue to satisfy the requirements of Code Sections 401(a)(4) and 410.

(e)  " Required aggregation group " means:

(1)  Each qualified plan of the Employer or Related Employer in which at least one "key employee" participates, or has participated at any time during the "determination period" (regardless of whether the plan has terminated), and

(2)  any other qualified plan of the Employer or Related Employer which enables a plan described in Subsection 15.01(e)(1) above to meet the requirements of Code Section 401(a)(4) or 410.

(f)    " Top-heavy plan " means a plan in which any of the following conditions exists:

(1)  the "top-heavy ratio" for the plan exceeds 60 percent and the Plan is not part of any "required aggregation group" or "permissive aggregation group";

(2)  the plan is a part of a "required aggregation group" but not part of a "permissive aggregation group" and the "top-heavy ratio" for the "required aggregation group" exceeds 60 percent; or

(3)  the plan is a part of a "required aggregation group" and a "permissive aggregation group" and the "top-heavy ratio" for both groups exceeds 60 percent.

 
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(g)  " Top-heavy ratio " means:

(1)  With respect to the Plan, or with respect to any "required aggregation group" or "permissive aggregation group" that consists solely of defined contribution plans (including any simplified employee pension, as defined in Code Section 408(k)), a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the account balances of all "key employees" under the plans as of the "determination date" (including any part of any account balance distributed during the five-year period ending on the "determination date"), and the denominator of which is the sum of all account balances (including any part of any account balance distributed during the five-year period ending on the "determination date") of all participants under the plans as of the "determination date". Both the numerator and denominator of the "top-heavy ratio" shall be increased, to the extent required by Code Section 416, to reflect any contribution which is due but unpaid as of the "determination date".

(2)  With respect to any "required aggregation group" or "permissive aggregation group" that includes one or more defined benefit plans which, during the five-year period ending on the "determination date", has covered or could cover an Active Participant in the Plan, a fraction, the numerator of which is the sum of the account balances under the defined contribution plans for all "key employees" and the present value of accrued benefits under the defined benefit plans for all "key employees", and the denominator of which is the sum of the account balances under the defined contribution plans for all participants and the present value of accrued benefits under the defined benefit plans for all participants. Both the numerator and denominator of the "top-heavy ratio" shall be increased for any distribution of an account balance or an accrued benefit made during the five-year period ending on the "determination date" and any contribution due but unpaid as of the "determination date".

For purposes of Subsections 15.01(g)(1) and (2) above, the value of accounts and the present value of accrued benefits shall be determined as of the most recent "determination date", except as provided in Code Section 416 and the regulations issued thereunder for the first and second plan years of a defined benefit plan. When aggregating plans, the value of accounts and accrued benefits shall be calculated with reference to the "determination dates" that fall within the same calendar year. The present value of accrued benefits shall be determined using the interest rate and mortality table specified in Subsection 1.21(b) of the Adoption Agreement.

The accounts and accrued benefits of a Participant who is not a "key employee" but who was a "key employee" in a prior year, or who has not performed services for the Employer or any Related Employer at any time during the five-year period ending on the "determination date", shall be disregarded. The calculation of the "top-heavy ratio", and the extent to which distributions, rollovers, and transfers are taken into account, shall be made in accordance with Code Section 416 and the regulations issued thereunder. Deductible employee contributions shall not be taken into account for purposes of computing the "top-heavy ratio".

For purposes of determining if the Plan, or any other plan included in a "required aggregation group" of which the Plan is a part, is a "top-heavy plan", the accrued benefit in a defined benefit plan of an Employee other than a "key employee" shall be determined under the method, if any, that uniformly applies for accrual purposes under all plans maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer, or, if there is no such method, as if such benefit accrued not more rapidly than the slowest accrual rate permitted under the fractional accrual rate of Code Section 411(b)(1)(C).

15.02. Application .   If the Plan is or becomes a "top-heavy plan" in any Plan Year or is automatically deemed to be a "top-heavy plan" in accordance with the Employer's selection in Subsection 1.21(a)(1) of the Adoption Agreement, the provisions of this Article shall apply and shall supersede any conflicting provision in the Plan.

15.03. Minimum Contribution .   Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Section 15.03, the Nonelective Employer Contributions made for the Plan Year on behalf of any Active Participant who is not a "key employee" shall not be less than the lesser of three percent (or such other percentage selected by the Employer in Subsection 1.21(c) of the Adoption Agreement) of such Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year or, in the case where neither the Employer nor any Related Employer maintains a defined benefit plan which uses the Plan to satisfy Code Section 401(a)(4) or 410, the largest percentage of Employer contributions made on behalf of any "key employee" for the Plan Year, expressed as a percentage of the "key employee's" Compensation for the Plan Year, unless the Employer has provided in Subsection 1.21(c) of the Adoption Agreement that the minimum contribution requirement shall be met under the other plan or plans of the Employer.

The minimum contribution required under this Section 15.03 shall be made to the Account of an Active Participant even though, under other Plan provisions, the Active Participant would not otherwise be entitled to receive a contribution, or would have received a lesser contribution for the Plan Year, because (a) the Active Participant failed to complete the Hours of Service requirement selected by the Employer in Subsection 1.10(d) or 1.11(c) of the Adoption Agreement, or (b) the Participant's Compensation was less than a stated amount; provided, however, that no minimum contribution shall be made for a Plan Year to the Account of an Active Participant who is not employed by the Employer or a Related Employer on the last day of the Plan Year.

The minimum contribution for the Plan Year made on behalf of each Active Participant who is not a "key employee" and who is a participant in a defined benefit plan maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer shall not be less than five percent of such Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year, unless the Employer has provided in Subsection 1.21(c) of the Adoption Agreement that the minimum contribution requirement shall be met under the other plan or plans of the Employer.

That portion of a Participant's Account that is attributable to minimum contributions required under this Section 15.03, to the extent required to be nonforfeitable under Code Section 416(b), may not be forfeited under Code Section 411(a)(3)(B).

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, for purposes of this Article, Compensation shall include amounts that are not includable in the gross income of the Participant under a salary reduction agreement by reason of the application of Code Section 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h), or 403(b). Compensation shall generally be based on the amount actually paid to the Eligible Employee during the Plan Year or during that portion of the Plan Year during which the Eligible Employee is an Active Participant, as elected by the Employer in Subsection 1.05(c) of the Adoption Agreement.
 
 
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15.04. Modification of Allocation Provisions to Meet Minimum Contribution Requirements .   If the Employer elected a discretionary Nonelective Employer Contribution in Subsection 1.11(b) of the Adoption Agreement, the provisions for allocating Nonelective Employer Contributions described in Subsection 5.10(b) shall be modified as provided herein to meet the minimum contribution requirements of Section 15.03.

(a)  If the Employer selected the non-integrated formula in Subsection 1.11(b)(1) of the Adoption Agreement, Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated as follows:

(1)  Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated to each eligible Active Participant, as determined under this Section 15.04, who is not a "key employee" in the same ratio that the eligible Active Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the total Compensation of all such eligible Active Participants for the Plan Year; provided, however that such ratio shall not exceed three percent of a Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year (or such other percentage selected by the Employer in Subsection 1.21(c) of the Adoption Agreement).

(2)  If any Nonelective Employer Contributions remain after the allocation in Subsection 15.04(a)(1) above, the remaining Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated to each eligible Active Participant, as determined under this Section 15.04, who is a "key employee" in the same ratio that the eligible Active Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the total Compensation of all such eligible Active Participants for the Plan Year; provided, however that such ratio shall not exceed three percent of a Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year (or such other percentage selected by the Employer in Subsection 1.21(c) of the Adoption Agreement).

(3)  If any Nonelective Employer Contributions remain after the allocation in Subsection 15.04(a)(2) above, the remaining Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated to each eligible Active Participant, as determined under this Section 15.04, in the same ratio that the eligible Active Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the total Compensation of all such eligible Active Participants for the Plan Year.

(b)  If the Employer selected the integrated formula in Subsection 1.11(b)(2) of the Adoption Agreement, the "permitted disparity limit", as defined in Subsection 1.11(b)(2) of the Adoption Agreement, shall be reduced by the percentage allocated under Subsection 15.04(b)(1) or (2) below, and the allocation steps in Subsection 5.10(b)(2) shall be preceded by the following steps:

(1)  Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated to each eligible Active Participant, as determined under this Section 15.04, who is not a "key employee" in the same ratio that the eligible Active Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the total Compensation of all such eligible Active Participants for the Plan Year; provided, however that such ratio shall not exceed three percent of a Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year (or such other percentage selected by the Employer in Subsection 1.21(c) of the Adoption Agreement).

(2)  If any Nonelective Employer Contributions remain after the allocation in Subsection 15.04(b)(1) above, the remaining Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated to each eligible Active Participant, as determined under this Section 15.04, who is a "key employee" in the same ratio that the eligible Active Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the total Compensation of all such eligible Active Participants for the Plan Year; provided, however that such ratio shall not exceed three percent of a Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year (or such other percentage selected by the Employer in Subsection 1.21(c) of the Adoption Agreement).

(3)  If any Nonelective Employer Contributions remain after the allocation in Subsection 15.04(b)(2) above, the remaining Nonelective Employer Contributions shall be allocated to each eligible Active Participant in the same ratio that the eligible Active Participant's Excess Compensation for the Plan Year bears to the total Excess Compensation of all eligible Participants for the Plan Year; provided, however, that such ratio shall not exceed three percent (or such other percentage selected by the Employer in Subsection 1.21(c) of the Adoption Agreement).

15.05. Adjustment to the Limitation on Contributions and Benefits .   For Limitation Years beginning prior to January 1, 2000, if the Plan is a "top-heavy plan", the number 100 shall be substituted for the number 125 in determining the "defined benefit fraction", as defined in Subsection 6.01(f) and the "defined contribution fraction", as defined in Subsection 6.01(g). However, this substitution shall not take effect with respect to the Plan in any Plan Year in which the following requirements are satisfied:

(a)  The Employer contributions for such Plan Year made on behalf of each eligible Active Participant, as determined under Section 15.03, who is not a "key employee" and who is a participant in a defined benefit plan maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer is not less than 7 1/2 percent of such eligible Active Participant's Compensation.

(b)  The "top-heavy ratio" for the Plan (or the "required aggregation group" or "permissible aggregation group", as applicable) does not exceed 90 percent.

The substitutions of the number 100 for 125 shall not take effect in any Limitation Year with respect to any Participant for whom no benefits are accrued or contributions made for the Limitation Year.

15.06. Accelerated Vesting .   For any Plan Year in which the Plan is or is deemed to be a "top-heavy plan" and all Plan Years thereafter, the top-heavy vesting schedule selected by the Employer in Subsection 1.21(d) of the Adoption Agreement shall automatically apply to the Plan. The top-heavy vesting schedule applies to all benefits within the meaning of Code Section 411(a)(7) except those already subject to a vesting schedule which vests at least as rapidly in all cases as the schedule elected in Subsection 1.21(d) of the Adoption Agreement, including benefits accrued before the Plan becomes a "top-heavy plan". Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 15.06, the top-heavy vesting schedule does not apply to the Account of any Participant who does not have an Hour of Service after the Plan initially becomes or is deemed to have become a "top-heavy plan" and such Employee's Account attributable to Employer Contributions shall be determined without regard to this Section 15.06.

15.07. Exclusion of Collectively-Bargained Employees .   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article 15, Employees who are included in a unit covered by an agreement which the Secretary of Labor finds to be a collective bargaining agreement between employee representatives and one or more employers shall not be included in determining whether or not the Plan is a "top-heavy plan". In addition, such Employees shall not be entitled to a minimum contribution under Section 15.03 or accelerated vesting under Section 15.06, unless otherwise provided in the collective bargaining agreement.

 
 
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Article 16. Amendment and Termination .

16.01. Amendments by the Employer that do Not Affect Prototype Status .   The Employer reserves the authority through a board of directors' resolution or similar action, subject to the provisions of Article 1 and Section 16.04, to amend the Plan as provided herein, and such amendment shall not affect the status of the Plan as a prototype plan.

(a)  
The Employer may amend the Adoption Agreement to make a change or changes in the provisions previously elected by it. Such amendment may be made either by (1) completing an amended Adoption Agreement on which the Employer has indicated the change or changes, or (2) adopting an amendment, executed by the Employer only, in the form provided by the Prototype Sponsor, that provides replacement pages to be inserted into the Adoption Agreement, which pages include the change or changes. Any such amendment must be filed with the Trustee.
(b)  The Employer may make a separate amendment to the Plan as necessary to satisfy Code Section 415 or 416 because of the required aggregation of multiple plans by completely overriding the Basic Plan Document provisions.

(c)  The Employer may adopt certain model amendments published by the Internal Revenue Service which specifically provide that their adoption shall not cause the Plan to be treated as an individually designed plan.

16.02. Amendments by the Employer that Affect Prototype Status .   The Employer reserves the authority through a board of directors' resolution or similar action, subject to the provisions of Section 16.04, to amend the Plan in a manner other than that provided in Section 16.01. However, upon making such amendment, including, if the Plan is a money purchase pension plan, a waiver of the minimum funding requirement under Code Section 412(d), the Employer may no longer participate in this prototype plan arrangement and shall be deemed to have an individually designed plan. Following such amendment, the Trustee may transfer the assets of the Trust to the trust forming part of such newly adopted plan upon receipt of sufficient evidence (such as a determination letter or opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Trustee) that such trust shall be a qualified trust under the Code.

16.03. Amendment by the Mass Submitter Sponsor and the Prototype Sponsor .   The Mass Submitter Sponsor may in its discretion amend the mass submitter prototype plan at any time, subject to the provisions of Article 1 and Section 16.04, and provided that the Mass Submitter Sponsor mails a copy of such amendment to each Prototype Sponsor that maintains the prototype plan or a minor modifier of the prototype plan. Each Prototype Sponsor shall provide a copy of such amendment to each Employer adopting its prototype plan at the Employer's last known address as shown on the books maintained by the Prototype Sponsor or its affiliates.

The Prototype Sponsor may, in its discretion, amend the Plan or the Adoption Agreement, subject to the provisions of Article 1 and Section 16.04, and provided that such amendment does not change the Plan's status as a word for word adoption of the mass submitter prototype plan or a minor modifier of the mass submitter prototype plan, unless such Prototype Sponsor elects no longer to be a sponsoring organization with respect to the mass submitter prototype plan. The Prototype Sponsor shall provide a copy of such amendment to each Employer adopting its prototype plan at the Employer's last known address as shown on the books maintained by the Prototype Sponsor or its affiliates.

16.04. Amendments Affecting Vested and/or Accrued Benefits .   Except as permitted by Section 16.05, Section 1.19(e) and the Forms of Payment Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, and/or Code Section 411(d)(6) and regulations issued thereunder, no amendment to the Plan shall be effective to the extent that it has the effect of decreasing a Participant's Account or eliminating an optional form of benefit with respect to benefits attributable to service before the amendment. Furthermore, if the vesting schedule of the Plan is amended, the nonforfeitable interest of a Participant in his Account, determined as of the later of the date the amendment is adopted or the date it becomes effective, shall not be less than the Participant's nonforfeitable interest in his Account determined without regard to such amendment.

If the Plan is a money purchase pension plan, no amendment to the Plan that provides for a significant reduction in contributions to the Plan shall be made unless notice has been furnished to Participants and alternate payees under a qualified domestic relations order as provided in ERISA Section 204(h).

If the Plan's vesting schedule is amended because of a change to "top-heavy plan" status, as described in Subsection 15.01(f), the accelerated vesting provisions of Section 15.06 shall continue to apply for all Plan Years thereafter, regardless of whether the Plan is a "top-heavy plan" for such Plan Year.

If the Plan's vesting schedule is amended and an Employee's vested interest, as calculated by using the amended vesting schedule, is less in any year than the Employee's vested interest calculated under the Plan's vesting schedule immediately prior to the amendment, the amended vesting schedule shall apply only to Employees hired on or after the effective date of the change in vesting schedule.

16.05. Retroactive Amendments made by Mass Submitter or Prototype Sponsor .   An amendment made by the Mass Submitter Sponsor or Prototype Sponsor in accordance with Section 16.03 may be made effective on a date prior to the first day of the Plan Year in which it is adopted if, in published guidance, the Internal Revenue Service either permits or requires such an amendment to be made to enable the Plan and Trust to satisfy the applicable requirements of the Code and all requirements for the retroactive amendment are satisfied.

16.06. Termination .   The Employer has adopted the Plan with the intention and expectation that contributions shall be continued indefinitely. However, said Employer has no obligation or liability whatsoever to maintain the Plan for any length of time and may amend the Plan to discontinue contributions under the Plan or terminate the Plan at any time without any liability hereunder for any such discontinuance or termination. The Employer may terminate the Plan by written notice delivered to the Trustee.

 
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16.07. Distribution upon Termination of the Plan .   Upon termination or partial termination of the Plan or complete discontinuance of contributions thereunder, each Participant (including a terminated Participant with respect to amounts not previously forfeited by him) who is affected by such termination or partial termination or discontinuance shall have a vested interest in his Account of 100 percent. Subject to Section 12.01 and Article 14, upon receipt of written instructions from the Administrator, the Trustee shall distribute to each Participant or other person entitled to distribution the balance of the Participant's Account in a single lump sum payment. In the absence of such instructions, the Trustee shall notify the Administrator of such situation and the Trustee shall be under no duty to make any distributions under the Plan until it receives written instructions from the Administrator. Upon the completion of such distributions, the Trust shall terminate, the Trustee shall be relieved from all liability under the Trust, and no Participant or other person shall have any claims thereunder, except as required by applicable law.

If distribution is to be made to a Participant or Beneficiary who cannot be located, the Administrator shall give written instructions to the Trustee to (a) escheat the distributable amount to the State or Commonwealth of the distributee's last known address or (b) draw a check in the distributable amount and mail it to the distributee's last known address. In the absence of such instructions, the Trustee shall make distribution to the distributee by drawing a check in the distributable amount and mailing it to the distributee's last known address.

16.08. Merger or Consolidation of Plan; Transfer of Plan Assets .   In case of any merger or consolidation of the Plan with, or transfer of assets and liabilities of the Plan to, any other plan, provision must be made so that each Participant would, if the Plan then terminated, receive a benefit immediately after the merger, consolidation or transfer which is equal to or greater than the benefit he would have been entitled to receive immediately before the merger, consolidation or transfer if the Plan had then terminated.


Article 17. Amendment and Continuation of Prior Plan; Transfer of Funds to or from Other Qualified Plans .

17.01. Amendment and Continuation of Prior Plan .   In the event the Employer has previously established a plan (the "prior plan") which is a defined contribution plan under the Code and which on the date of adoption of the Plan meets the applicable requirements of Code Section 401(a), the Employer may, in accordance with the provisions of the prior plan, amend and restate the prior plan in the form of the Plan and become the Employer hereunder, subject to the following:

(a) Subject to the provisions of the Plan, each individual who was a Participant in the prior plan immediately prior to the effective date of such amendment and restatement shall become a Participant in the Plan.

(b) Except as provided in Section 16.04, no election may be made under the vesting provisions of the Adoption Agreement if such election would reduce the benefits of a Participant under the Plan to less than the benefits to which he would have been entitled if he voluntarily separated from the service of the Employer immediately prior to such amendment and restatement.

(c) No amendment to the Plan shall decrease a Participant's accrued benefit or eliminate an optional form of benefit, except as permitted under Section 1.19(e) and the Forms of Payment Addendum to the Adoption Agreement.

(d) The amounts standing to the credit of a Participant's account immediately prior to such amendment and restatement which represent the amounts properly attributable to (1) contributions by the Participant and (2) contributions by the Employer and forfeitures shall constitute the opening balance of his Account or Accounts under the Plan.

(e)  Amounts being paid to an Inactive Participant or to a Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the prior plan shall continue to be paid in accordance with such provisions.

(f)  Any election and waiver of the "qualified preretirement survivor annuity", as defined in Section 14.01, in effect after August 23, 1984, under the prior plan immediately before such amendment and restatement shall be deemed a valid election and waiver of Beneficiary under Section 14.04 if such designation satisfies the requirements of Sections 14.05 and 14.06, unless and until the Participant revokes such election and waiver under the Plan.

(g)  Unless the Employer and the Trustee agree otherwise, all assets of the predecessor trust shall be deemed to be assets of the Trust as of the effective date of such amendment. Such assets shall be invested by the Trustee as soon as reasonably practicable pursuant to Article 8. The Employer agrees to assist the Trustee in any way requested by the Trustee in order to facilitate the transfer of assets from the predecessor trust to the Trust Fund.

17.02. Transfer of Funds from an Existing Plan .   The Employer may from time to time direct the Trustee, in accordance with such rules as the Trustee may establish, to accept cash, allowable Fund Shares or participant loan promissory notes transferred for the benefit of Participants from a trust forming part of another qualified plan under the Code, provided such plan is a defined contribution plan. Such transferred assets shall become assets of the Trust as of the date they are received by the Trustee. Such transferred assets shall be credited to Participants' Accounts in accordance with their respective interests immediately upon receipt by the Trustee. A Participant's interest under the Plan in transferred assets which were fully vested and nonforfeitable under the transferring plan or which were transferred to the Plan in a manner intended to satisfy the requirements of subsection (b) of this Section 17.02 shall be fully vested and nonforfeitable at all times. A Participant's interest under the Plan in transferred assets which were transferred to the Plan in a manner intended to satisfy the requirements of subsection (a) of this Section 17.02 shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the Plan unless the transferor plan's vesting schedule is more favorable.  Such transferred assets shall be invested by the Trustee in accordance with the provisions of Subsection 17.01(g) as if such assets were transferred from a prior plan. Except as otherwise provided below, no transfer of assets in accordance with this Section 17.02 may cause a loss of an accrued or optional form of benefit protected by Code Section 411(d)(6).

Effective for transfers made on or after January 1, 2002, the terms of the Plan as in effect at the time of the transfer shall apply to the amounts transferred regardless of whether such application would have the effect of eliminating or reducing an optional form of benefit protected by Code Section 411(d)(6) which was previously available with respect to any amount transferred to the Plan pursuant to this Section 17.02, provided that such transfer satisfies the requirements set forth in either (a) or (b):
 
(a)(1) The transfer is conditioned upon a voluntary, fully informed election by the Participant to transfer his entire account balance to the Plan.  As an alternative to the transfer, the Participant is offered the opportunity to retain the form of benefit previously available to him (or, if the transferor plan is terminated, to receive any optional form of benefit for which the participant is eligible under the transferor plan as required by Code Section 411(d)(6));
 
(2)           If the defined contribution plan from which the transfer is made is a money purchase pension plan, the Plan is a money purchase plan or, if the defined contribution plan from which the transfer is made includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement, the Plan includes a cash or deferred arrangement; and
 
(3) The transfer is made either in connection with an asset or stock acquisition, merger or other similar transaction involving a change in employer of the employees of a trade or business (i.e., an acquisition or disposition within the meaning of Section 1.410(b)-2(f)) or in connection with the participant's change in employment status such that the participant is not entitled to additional allocations under the transferor plan.
 
 
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(b)(1) The transfer satisfies the requirements of subsection (a)(1) of this Section 17.02;
 
(2) The transfer occurs at a time when the Participant is eligible, under the terms of the transferor plan, to receive an immediate distribution of his account;
 
(3) If the transfer occurs on or after January 1, 2002, the transfer occurs at a time when the participant is not eligible to receive an immediate distribution of his entire nonforfeitable account balance in a single sum distribution that would consist entirely of an eligible rollover distribution within the meaning of Code Section 401(a)(31)(C); and
 
(4) The amount transferred, together with the amount of any contemporaneous Code Section 401(a)(31) direct rollover to the Plan, equals the entire nonforfeitable account of the participant whose account is being transferred.
 
It is the Employer ' s obligation to ensure that all assets of the Plan, other than those maintained in a separate trust or fund pursuant to the provisions of Section 20.10, are transferred to the Trustee. The Trustee shall have no liability for and no duty to inquire into the administration of such transferred assets for periods prior to the transfer.

17.03. Acceptance of Assets by Trustee .   The Trustee shall not accept assets which are not either in a medium proper for investment under the Plan, as set forth in the Plan and the Service Agreement, or in cash. Such assets shall be accompanied by instructions in writing (or such other medium as may be acceptable to the Trustee) showing separately the respective contributions by the prior employer and by the Participant, and identifying the assets attributable to such contributions. The Trustee shall establish such accounts as may be necessary or appropriate to reflect such contributions under the Plan. The Trustee shall hold such assets for investment in accordance with the provisions of Article 8, and shall in accordance with the written instructions of the Employer make appropriate credits to the Accounts of the Participants for whose benefit assets have been transferred.

17.04. Transfer of Assets from Trust .   Effective on or after January 1, 2002, the Employer may direct the Trustee to transfer all or a specified portion of the Trust assets to any other plan or plans maintained by the Employer or the employer or employers of an Inactive Participant or Participants, provided that the Trustee has received evidence satisfactory to it that such other plan meets all applicable requirements of the Code, subject to the following:

(a)  
The assets so transferred shall be accompanied by instructions in writing (or such other medium as may be acceptable to the Trustee) from the Employer naming the persons for whose benefit such assets have been transferred, showing separately the respective contributions by the Employer and by each Inactive Participant, if any, and identifying the assets attributable to the various contributions. The Trustee shall not transfer assets hereunder until all applicable filing requirements are met. The Trustee shall have no further liabilities with respect to assets so transferred.

(b) A transfer of assets made pursuant to this Section 17.04 may result in the elimination or reduction of an optional form of benefit protected by Code Section 411(d)(6), provided that the transfer satisfies the requirements set forth in either (1) or (2):
 
(1)(i) The transfer is conditioned upon a voluntary, fully informed election by the Participant to transfer his entire Account to the other defined contribution plan.  As an alternative to the transfer, the Participant is offered the opportunity to retain the form of benefit previously available to him (or, if the Plan is terminated, to receive any optional form of benefit for which the Participant is eligible under the Plan as required by Code Section 411(d)(6));
 
(ii)               If the Plan is a money purchase pension plan, the defined contribution plan to which the transfer is made must be a money purchase pension plan and if the Plan includes a qualified cash or deferred arrangement under Code Section 401(k), the defined contribution plan to which the transfer is made must include a qualified cash or deferred arrangement; and
 
(iii)               The transfer is made either in connection with an asset or stock acquisition, merger or other similar transaction involving a change in employer of the employees of a trade or business (i.e., an acquisition or disposition within the meaning of Section 1.410(b)-2(f)) or in connection with the Participant's change in employment status such that the Participant becomes an Inactive Participant.
 
(2)(i) The transfer satisfies the requirements of subsection (1)(i) of this Section 17.04;
 
(ii) The transfer occurs at a time when the Participant is eligible, under the terms of the Plan, to receive an immediate distribution of his benefit;
 
(iii) If the transfer occurs on or after January 1, 2002, the transfer occurs at a time when the Participant is not eligible to receive an immediate distribution of his entire nonforfeitable Account in a single sum distribution that would consist entirely of an eligible rollover distribution within the meaning of Code Section 401(a)(31)(C);
 
(iv) The Participant is fully vested in the transferred amount in the transferee plan; and
 
(v) The amount transferred, together with the amount of any contemporaneous Code Section 401(a)(31) direct rollover to the transferee plan, equals the entire nonforfeitable Account of the Participant whose Account is being transferred.
 
 
 
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Article 18. Miscellaneous .

18.01. Communication to Participants .   The Plan shall be communicated to all Eligible Employees by the Employer promptly after the Plan is adopted.

18.02. Limitation of Rights .   Neither the establishment of the Plan and the Trust, nor any amendment thereof, nor the creation of any fund or account, nor the payment of any benefits, shall be construed as giving to any Participant or other person any legal or equitable right against the Employer, Administrator or Trustee, except as provided herein; and in no event shall the terms of employment or service of any Participant be modified or in any way affected hereby. It is a condition of the Plan, and each Participant expressly agrees by his participation herein, that each Participant shall look solely to the assets held in the Trust for the payment of any benefit to which he is entitled under the Plan.

18.03. Nonalienability of Benefits . Except as provided in Code Sections 401(a)(13)(C) and (D) (relating to offsets ordered or required under a criminal conviction involving the Plan, a civil judgment in connection with a violation or alleged violation of fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA, or a settlement agreement between the Participant and the Department of Labor in connection with a violation or alleged violation of fiduciary responsibilities under ERISA), Section 1.401(a)-13(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations (relating to Federal tax levies), or as otherwise required by law, the benefits provided hereunder shall not be subject to alienation, assignment, garnishment, attachment, execution or levy of any kind, either voluntarily or involuntarily, and any attempt to cause such benefits to be so subjected shall not be recognized. The preceding sentence shall also apply to the creation, assignment, or recognition of a right to any benefit payable with respect to a Participant pursuant to a domestic relations order, unless such order is determined by the Administrator to be a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Code Section 414(p), or any domestic relations order entered before January 1, 1985.

18.04. Qualified Domestic Relations Orders Procedures . The Administrator must establish reasonable procedures to determine the qualified status of a domestic relations order. Upon receiving a domestic relations order, the Administrator shall promptly notify the Participant and any alternate payee named in the order, in writing, of the receipt of the order and the Plan's procedures for determining the qualified status of the order. Within a reasonable period of time after receiving the domestic relations order, the Administrator must determine the qualified status of the order and must notify the Participant and each alternate payee, in writing, of its determination. The Administrator shall provide such notice by mailing to the individual's address specified in the domestic relations order, or in a manner consistent with the Department of Labor regulations.

If any portion of the Participant's Account is payable during the period the Administrator is making its determination of the qualified status of the domestic relations order, the Administrator must make a separate accounting of the amounts payable. If the Administrator determines the order is a qualified domestic relations order within 18 months of the date amounts first are payable following receipt of the order, the Administrator shall direct the Trustee to distribute the payable amounts in accordance with the order. If the Administrator does not make his determination of the qualified status of the order within the 18-month determination period, the Administrator shall direct the Trustee to distribute the payable amounts in the manner the Plan would distribute if the order did not exist and shall apply the order prospectively if the Administrator later determines the order is a qualified domestic relations order.

The Trustee shall set up segregated accounts for each alternate payee when properly notified by the Administrator.

A domestic relations order shall not fail to be deemed a qualified domestic relations order merely because it requires the distribution or segregation of all or part of a Participant's Account with respect to an alternate payee prior to the Participant's earliest retirement age (as defined in Code Section 414(p)) under the Plan. A distribution to an alternate payee prior to the Participant's attainment of the earliest retirement age is available only if (a) the order specifies distribution at that time and (b) if the present value of the alternate payee's benefits under the Plan exceeds $5,000 as determined under Section 13.02 (or such larger amount as may be specified in Code Section 417(e)(1)), and the order requires, and the alternate payee consents to, a distribution occurring prior to the Participant's attainment of earliest retirement age.

18.05. Additional Rules for Paired Plans .   If the Employer has adopted both a money purchase pension plan and a profit sharing plan under this Basic Plan Document which are to be considered paired plans, the elections in Section 1.04 of the Adoption Agreement must be identical with respect to both plans. When the paired plans are "top-heavy plans", as defined in Subsection 15.01(f), or are deemed to be "top-heavy plans", the money purchase pension plan shall provide the minimum contribution required under Section 15.03, unless contributions under the money purchase pension plan are frozen.

18.06. Application of Plan Provisions in Multiple Employer Plans .   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, if one of the Employers designated in Subsection 1.02(b) of the Adoption Agreement is not a Related Employer, the Prototype Sponsor reserves the right to take any or all of the following actions:

(a)  treat the Plan as a multiple employer plan;

(b)  permit the Employer to amend the Plan to exclude the un-Related Employer from participation in the Plan; or

(c)  treat the Employer as having amended the Plan in the manner described in Section 16.02 such that the Employer may no longer participate in this prototype plan arrangement.

For the period, if any, that the Prototype Sponsor elects to treat the Plan as a multiple employer plan, each un-Related Employer shall be treated as a separate Employer for purposes of contributions, application of the "ADP" and "ACP" tests described in Sections 6.03 and 6.06, application of the Code Section 415 limitations described in Section 6.12, top-heavy determinations and application of the top-heavy requirements under Article 15, and application of such other Plan provisions as the Employers determine to be appropriate. For any such period, the Prototype Sponsor shall continue to treat the Employer as participating in this prototype plan arrangement for purposes of Plan administration, notices or other communications in connection with the Plan, and other Plan-related services; provided, however, that if the Employer applies to the Internal Revenue Service for a determination letter, the multiple employer plan shall be filed on the form appropriate for multiple employer plans. The Administrator shall be responsible for administering the Plan as a multiple employer plan.

 
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18.07. Veterans Reemployment Rights .   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, contributions, benefits, and service credit with respect to qualified military service shall be provided in accordance with Code Section 414(u). The Administrator shall notify the Trustee of any Participant with respect to whom additional contributions are made because of qualified military service.

18.08. Facility of Payment .   In the event the Administrator determines, on the basis of medical reports or other evidence satisfactory to the Administrator, that the recipient of any benefit payments under the Plan is incapable of handling his affairs by reason of minority, illness, infirmity or other incapacity, the Administrator may direct the Trustee to disburse such payments to a person or institution designated by a court which has jurisdiction over such recipient or a person or institution otherwise having the legal authority under state law for the care and control of such recipient. The receipt by such person or institution of any such payments shall be complete acquittance therefore, and any such payment to the extent thereof, shall discharge the liability of the Trust for the payment of benefits hereunder to such recipient.

18.09. Information between Employer and Trustee .   The Employer agrees to furnish the Trustee, and the Trustee agrees to furnish the Employer, with such information relating to the Plan and Trust as may be required by the other in order to carry out their respective duties hereunder, including without limitation information required under the Code and any regulations issued or forms adopted by the Treasury Department thereunder or under the provisions of ERISA and any regulations issued or forms adopted by the Department of Labor thereunder.

18.10. Effect of Failure to Qualify Under Code .   Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, if the Employer fails to obtain or retain approval of the Plan by the Internal Revenue Service as a qualified Plan under the Code, the Employer may no longer participate in this prototype Plan arrangement and shall be deemed to have an individually designed plan.

18.11. Directions, Notices and Disclosure .   Any notice or other communication in connection with this Plan shall be deemed delivered in writing if addressed as provided below and if either actually delivered at said address or, in the case of a letter, three business days shall have elapsed after the same shall have been deposited in the United States mails, first-class postage prepaid and registered or certified:

(a)  If to the Employer or Administrator, to it at the address set forth in the Adoption Agreement, and, if to the Employer, to the attention of the contact specified in Subsection 1.02(a) of the Adoption Agreement;

(b)  If to the Trustee, to it at the address set forth in Subsection 1.03(a) the Adoption Agreement;

or, in each case at such other address as the addressee shall have specified by written notice delivered in accordance with the foregoing to the addressor's then effective notice address.

Any direction, notice or other communication provided to the Employer, the Administrator or the Trustee by another party which is stipulated to be in written form under the provisions of this Plan may also be provided in any medium which is permitted under applicable law or regulation. Any written communication or disclosure to Participants required under the provisions of this Plan may be provided in any other medium (electronic, telephone or otherwise) that is permitted under applicable law or regulation.

18.12. Governing Law .   The Plan and the accompanying Adoption Agreement shall be construed, administered and enforced according to ERISA, and to the extent not preempted thereby, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Nothing contained in Sections 8.02, 19.01 or 19.05 or this Section 18.13 shall be construed in a manner which subjects a governmental plan (as defined in Code Section 414(d)) or a non-electing church plan (as described in Code Section 410(d)) to the fiduciary provisions of Title I of ERISA.

 
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Article 19. Plan Administration .

19.01. Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator .   The Administrator has the full power and the full responsibility to administer the Plan in all of its details, subject, however, to the requirements of ERISA. In addition to the powers and authorities expressly conferred upon it in the Plan, the Administrator shall have all such powers and authorities as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of the Plan, including the discretionary power and authority to interpret and construe the provisions of the Plan, such interpretation to be final and conclusive on all persons claiming benefits under the Plan; to make benefit determinations; to utilize the correction programs or systems established by the Internal Revenue Service (such as the Employee Plans Compliance and Resolution System) or the Department of Labor; and to resolve any disputes arising under the Plan. The Administrator may, by written instrument, allocate and delegate its fiduciary responsibilities in accordance with ERISA Section 405, including allocation of such responsibilities to an administrative committee formed to administer the Plan.

19.02. Nondiscriminatory Exercise of Authority .   Whenever, in the administration of the Plan, any discretionary action by the Administrator is required, the Administrator shall exercise its authority in a nondiscriminatory manner so that all persons similarly situated shall receive substantially the same treatment.

19.03. Claims and Review Procedures .   Except to the extent that the provisions of any collective-bargaining agreement provide another method of resolving claims for benefits under the Plan, the provisions of this Section 19.03 shall control with respect to the resolution of such claims; provided, however, that the Employer may institute alternative claims procedures that are more restrictive on the Employer and more generous with respect to persons claiming a benefit under the Plan.

(a)   Claims Procedure . Whenever a request for benefits under the Plan is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator shall notify the person claiming such benefits of its decision in writing. Such notification shall contain (1) specific reasons for the denial of the claim, (2) specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions, (3) a description of any additional material or information necessary for such person to perfect such claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and (4) information as to the steps to be taken if the person wishes to submit a request for review. Such notification shall be given within 90 days after the claim is received by the Administrator (or within 180 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, and if written notice of such extension and circumstances is given to such person within the initial 90-day period). If such notification is not given within such period, the claim shall be considered denied as of the last day of such period and such person may request a review of his claim.

(b)   Review Procedure . Within 60 days after the date on which a person receives a written notice of a denied claim (or, if applicable, within 60 days after the date on which such denial is considered to have occurred), such person (or his duly authorized representative) may (1) file a written request with the Administrator for a review of his denied claim and of pertinent documents and (2) submit written issues and comments to the Administrator. The Administrator shall notify such person of its decision in writing. Such notification shall be written in a manner calculated to be understood by such person and shall contain specific reasons for the decision as well as specific references to pertinent Plan provisions. The decision on review shall be made within 60 days after the request for review is received by the Administrator (or within 120 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the request, such as an election by the Administrator to hold a hearing, and if written notice of such extension and circumstances is given to such person within the initial 60-day period). If the decision on review is not made within such period, the claim shall be considered denied.

19.04. Named Fiduciary .   The Administrator is a "named fiduciary" for purposes of ERISA Section 402(a)(1) and has the powers and responsibilities with respect to the management and operation of the Plan described herein.

19.05. Costs of Administration .   Unless some or all are paid by the Employer, all reasonable costs and expenses (including legal, accounting, and employee communication fees) incurred by the Administrator and the Trustee in administering the Plan and Trust may be paid from the forfeitures (if any) resulting under Section 11.08, or from the remaining Trust Fund. All such costs and expenses paid from the Trust Fund shall, unless allocable to the Accounts of particular Participants, be charged against the Accounts of all Participants on a pro rata basis or in such other reasonable manner as may be directed by the Employer and accepted by the Trustee.


Article 20. Trust Agreement .

20.01. Acceptance of Trust Responsibilities .   By executing the Adoption Agreement, the Employer establishes a trust to hold the assets of the Plan that are invested in Permissible Investments. By executing the Adoption Agreement, the Trustee agrees to accept the rights, duties and responsibilities set forth in this Article. If the Plan is an amendment and restatement of a prior plan, the Trustee shall have no liability for and no duty to inquire into the administration of the assets of the Plan for periods prior to the date such assets are transferred to the Trust.

20.02. Establishment of Trust Fund .   A trust is hereby established under the Plan. The Trustee shall open and maintain a trust account for the Plan and, as part thereof, Accounts for such individuals as the Employer shall from time to time notify the Trustee are Participants in the Plan. The Trustee shall accept and hold in the Trust Fund such contributions on behalf of Participants as it may receive from time to time from the Employer. The Trust Fund shall be fully invested and reinvested in accordance with the applicable provisions of the Plan in Fund Shares or as otherwise provided in Section 20.10.

The Trust is intended to qualify as a domestic trust in accordance with Code Section 7701(a)(30)(E) and any regulations issued thereunder. Accordingly, only United States persons (as defined in Code Section 7701(a)(30) may have the authority to control all substantial decisions regarding the Trust (including decisions to appoint, retain or replace the Trustee), unless the Plan filed a domestic trust election pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 301.7701-7(f) or any subsequent guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service, or except as otherwise provided in applicable regulation or legislation.

20.03. Exclusive Benefit .   The Trustee shall hold the assets of the Trust Fund for the exclusive purpose of providing benefits to Participants and Beneficiaries and defraying the reasonable expenses of administering the Plan. No assets of the Plan shall revert to the Employer except as specifically permitted by the terms of the Plan.

 
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20.04. Powers of Trustee .   The Trustee shall have no discretion or authority with respect to the investment of the Trust Fund but shall act solely as a directed trustee of the funds contributed to it. In addition to and not in limitation of such powers as the Trustee has by law or under any other provisions of the Plan, the Trustee shall have the following powers, each of which the Trustee exercises solely as directed Trustee in accordance with the written direction of the Employer except to the extent a Plan asset is subject to Participant direction of investment and provided that no such power shall be exercised in any manner inconsistent with the provisions of ERISA:

(a)  to deal with all or any part of the Trust Fund and to invest all or a part of the Trust Fund in Permissible Investments, without regard to the law of any state regarding proper investment;

(b)  to transfer to and invest all or any part of the Trust in any collective investment trust which is then maintained by a bank or trust company (or any affiliate) and which is tax-exempt pursuant to Code Section 501(a) and Rev. Rul. 81-100; provided that such collective investment trust is a Permissible Investment; and provided, further, that the instrument establishing such collective investment trust, as amended from time to time, shall govern any investment therein, and is hereby made a part of the Plan and this Trust Agreement to the extent of such investment therein;

(c)  to retain uninvested such cash as it may deem necessary or advisable, without liability for interest thereon, for the administration of the Trust;

(d)  to sell, lease, convert, redeem, exchange, or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the assets constituting the Trust Fund;

(e)  to borrow funds from a bank or other financial institution not affiliated with the Trustee in order to provide sufficient liquidity to process Plan transactions in a timely fashion, provided that the cost of borrowing shall be allocated in a reasonable fashion to the Permissible Investment(s) in need of liquidity;

(f)  to enforce by suit or otherwise, or to waive, its rights on behalf of the Trust, and to defend claims asserted against it or the Trust, provided that the Trustee is indemnified to its satisfaction against liability and expenses;

(g)  to employ such agents and counsel as may be reasonably necessary in collecting, managing, administering, investing, distributing and protecting the Trust Fund or the assets thereof and to pay them reasonable compensation;

(h)  to compromise, adjust and settle any and all claims against or in favor of it or the Trust;

(i)  to oppose, or participate in and consent to the reorganization, merger, consolidation, or readjustment of the finances of any enterprise, to pay assessments and expenses in connection therewith, and to deposit securities under deposit agreements;

(j)  to apply for or purchase annuity contracts in accordance with Article 14;

(k)  to hold securities unregistered, or to register them in its own name or in the name of nominees;

(l)  to appoint custodians to hold investments within the jurisdiction of the district courts of the United States and to deposit securities with stock clearing corporations or depositories or similar organizations;

(m)  to make, execute, acknowledge and deliver any and all instruments that it deems necessary or appropriate to carry out the powers herein granted;

(n)  generally to exercise any of the powers of an owner with respect to all or any part of the Trust Fund; and

(o)  to take all such actions as may be necessary under the Trust Agreement, to the extent consistent with applicable law.

The Employer specifically acknowledges and authorizes that affiliates of the Trustee may act as its agent in the performance of ministerial, nonfiduciary duties under the Trust. The expenses and compensation of such agent shall be paid by the Trustee.

The Trustee shall provide the Employer with reasonable notice of any claim filed against the Plan or Trust or with regard to any related matter, or of any claim filed by the Trustee on behalf of the Plan or Trust or with regard to any related matter.

20.05. Accounts .   The Trustee shall keep full accounts of all receipts and disbursements and other transactions hereunder. Within 120 days after the close of each Plan Year, within 90 days after termination of the Trust, and at such other times as may be appropriate, the Trustee shall determine the then net fair market value of the Trust Fund as of the close of the Plan Year, as of the termination of the Trust, or as of such other time, whichever is applicable, and shall render to the Employer and Administrator an account of its administration of the Trust during the period since the last such accounting, including all allocations made by it during such period.

20.06. Approval of Accounts .   To the extent permitted by law, the written approval of any account by the Employer or Administrator shall be final and binding, as to all matters and transactions stated or shown therein, upon the Employer, Administrator, Participants and all persons who then are or thereafter become interested in the Trust. The failure of the Employer or Administrator to notify the Trustee within six months after the receipt of any account of its objection to the account shall, to the extent permitted by law, be the equivalent of written approval. If the Employer or Administrator files any objections within such six month period with respect to any matters or transactions stated or shown in the account, and the Employer or Administrator and the Trustee cannot amicably settle the question raised by such objections, the Trustee shall have the right to have such questions settled by judicial proceedings. Nothing herein contained shall be construed so as to deprive the Trustee of the right to have judicial settlement of its accounts. In any proceeding for a judicial settlement of any account or for instructions, the only necessary parties shall be the Trustee, the Employer and the Administrator.

20.07. Distribution from Trust Fund .   The Trustee shall make such distributions from the Trust Fund as the Employer or Administrator may direct (in writing or such other medium as may be acceptable to the Trustee), consistent with the terms of the Plan and either for the exclusive benefit of Participants or their Beneficiaries, or for the payment of expenses of administering the Plan.

20.08. Transfer of Amounts from Qualified Plan .   If amounts are to be transferred to the Plan from another qualified plan or trust under Code Section 401(a), such transfer shall be made in accordance with the provisions of the Plan and with such rules as may be established by the Trustee. The Trustee shall only accept assets which are in a medium proper for investment under this Trust Agreement or in cash, and that are accompanied in a timely manner, as agreed to by the Administrator and the Trustee, by instructions in writing (or such other medium as may be acceptable to the Trustee) showing separately the respective contributions by the prior employer and the transferring Employee, the records relating to such contributions, and identifying the assets attributable to such contributions. The Trustee shall hold such assets for investment in accordance with the provisions of this Trust Agreement.

 
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20.09. Transfer of Assets from Trust .   Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Employer may direct the Trustee to transfer all or a specified portion of the Trust assets to any other plan or plans maintained by the Employer or the employer or employers of an Inactive Participant or Participants, provided that the Trustee has received evidence satisfactory to it that such other plan meets all applicable requirements of the Code. The assets so transferred shall be accompanied by written instructions from the Employer naming the persons for whose benefit such assets have been transferred, showing separately the respective contributions by the Employer and by each Participant, if any, and identifying the assets attributable to the various contributions. The Trustee shall have no further liabilities with respect to assets so transferred.

20.10. Separate Trust or Fund for Existing Plan Assets .   With the consent of the Trustee, the Employer may maintain a trust or fund (including a group annuity contract) under this prototype plan document separate from the Trust Fund for Plan assets purchased prior to the adoption of this prototype plan document which are not Permissible Investments listed in the Service Agreement. The Trustee shall have no authority and no responsibility for the Plan assets held in such separate trust or fund. The Employer shall be responsible for assuring that such separate trust or fund is maintained pursuant to a separate trust agreement signed by the Employer and the trustee. The duties and responsibilities of the trustee of a separate trust shall be provided by the separate trust agreement, between the Employer and the trustee.

Notwithstanding the preceding paragraph, the Trustee or an affiliate of the Trustee may agree in writing to provide ministerial recordkeeping services for guaranteed investment contracts held in the separate trust or fund. The guaranteed investment contract(s) shall be valued as directed by the Employer or the trustee of the separate trust.

The trustee of the separate trust (hereafter referred to as "trustee") shall be the owner of any insurance contract purchased prior to the adoption of this prototype plan document. The insurance contract(s) must provide that proceeds shall be payable to the trustee; provided, however, that the trustee shall be required to pay over all proceeds of the contract(s) to the Participant's designated Beneficiary in accordance with the distribution provisions of this Plan. A Participant's spouse shall be the designated Beneficiary of the proceeds in all circumstances unless a qualified election has been made in accordance with Article 14. Under no circumstances shall the trust retain any part of the proceeds. In the event of any conflict between the terms of the Plan and the terms of any insurance contract purchased hereunder, the Plan provisions shall control.

Any life insurance contracts held in the Trust Fund or in the separate trust are subject to the following limits:

(a)  Ordinary life - For purposes of these incidental insurance provisions, ordinary life insurance contracts are contracts with both nondecreasing death benefits and nonincreasing premiums. If such contracts are held, less than 1/2 of the aggregate employer contributions allocated to any Participant shall be used to pay the premiums attributable to them.

(b)  Term and universal life - No more than 1/4 of the aggregate employer contributions allocated to any participant shall be used to pay the premiums on term life insurance contracts, universal life insurance contracts, and all other life insurance contracts which are not ordinary life.

(c)  Combination - The sum of 1/2 of the ordinary life insurance premiums and all other life insurance premiums shall not exceed 1/4 of the aggregate employer contributions allocated to any Participant.

20.11. Self-Directed Brokerage Option .   If one of the Permissible Investments under the Plan is the self-directed brokerage option, the Employer hereby directs the Trustee to use Fidelity Brokerage Services LLC, Member NYSE, SIPC or any of the Trustee ' s affiliates or subsidiaries (collectively, "FBS"), an affiliate of the Trustee, to purchase or sell individual securities for Participant Accounts in accordance with investment directions provided by such Participants. The provision of brokerage services by FBS shall be subject to the following:

(a)  The Trustee shall provide the Employer with an annual report which summarizes brokerage transactions and transaction-related charges incurred by the Plan.

(b) Any successor organization of FBS, through reorganization, consolidation, merger, or otherwise, shall, upon consummation of such transaction, become the successor broker in accordance with the terms of this direction provision.

(c)  The Trustee and FBS shall continue to rely on this direction provision until notified to the contrary. The Employer reserves the right to terminate this direction upon sixty (60) days written notice to FBS (or its successor) and the Trustee, and such termination shall also have the effect of terminating the self-directed brokerage option for the Plan.

(d)  The Trustee shall provide the Employer with a list of the types of securities that may not be purchased or held under this self-directed brokerage option. The Trustee shall provide the Employer with administrative procedures and fees governing investment in and withdrawals or exchanges from the self-directed brokerage option. The Trustee shall have no liability in the event a Participant purchases a restricted security.

(e)  Participants may authorize the use of an agent to have limited trading authority over assets in their Accounts invested under the self-directed brokerage option provided that the Participant completes and files with FBS a limited trading authorization and indemnification form in the form prescribed by FBS.

(f)                 FBS shall provide all proxies and other shareholder materials to each Participant with such securities allocated to his or her Account under the self-directed brokerage option. The Participant shall have the authority to direct the exercise of all shareholder rights attributable to the securities allocated to his or her Account and it is intended that all such Participant directions shall be subject to ERISA Section 404(c). The Trustee shall not exercise any such shareholder rights in the absence of a direction from the Participant.

(g)  Self-directed brokerage accounts held under the Plan are subject to fees as more fully described in the related self-directed brokerage documents provided to the Employer. If there are insufficient funds to cover the self-directed brokerage account trades and expenses, a liquidation may be made to cover the debit balance and, in doing so, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have exercised any discretion.
 
 
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20.12. Employer Stock Investment Option .   If one of the Permissible Investments is equity securities issued by the Employer or a Related Employer ("Employer Stock"), such Employer Stock must be publicly traded and "qualifying employer securities" within the meaning of Section 407(d)(5) of ERISA. Plan investments in Employer Stock shall be made via the Employer Stock Investment Fund (the "Stock Fund") which shall consist of either (i) the shares of Employer Stock held for each Participant who participates in the Stock Fund (a "Share Accounting Stock Fund"), or (ii) a combination of shares of Employer Stock and short-term liquid investments, consisting of mutual fund shares or commingled money market pool units as agreed to by the Employer and the Trustee, which are necessary to satisfy the Stock Fund's cash needs for transfers and payments (a "Unitized Stock Fund"). Dividends received by the Stock Fund are reinvested in additional shares of Employer Stock or, in the case of a Unitized Stock Fund, in short-term liquid investments. The determination of whether each Participant's interest in the Stock Fund is administered on a share-accounting or a unitized basis shall be determined by the Employer's election in the Service Agreement.

In the case of a Unitized Stock Fund, such units shall represent a proportionate interest in all assets of the Unitized Stock Fund, which includes shares of Employer Stock, short-term investments, and at times, receivables for dividends and/or Employer Stock sold and payables for Employer Stock purchased. A net asset value per unit shall be determined daily for each cash unit outstanding of the Unitized Stock Fund. The return earned by the Unitized Stock Fund shall represent a combination of the dividends paid on the shares of Employer Stock held by the Unitized Stock Fund, gains or losses realized on sales of Employer Stock, appreciation or depreciation in the market price of those shares owned, and interest on the short-term investments held by the Unitized Stock Fund. A target range for the short-term liquid investments shall be maintained for the Unitized Stock Fund. The Named Fiduciary shall, after consultation with the Trustee, establish and communicate to the Trustee in writing such target range and a drift allowance for such short-term liquid investments.  Such target range and drift allowance may be changed by the Named Fiduciary, after consultation with the Trustee, provided any such change is communicated to the Trustee in writing.  The Trustee is responsible for ensuring that the actual short-term liquid investments held in the Unitized Stock Fund fall within the agreed upon target range over time, subject to the Trustee's ability to execute open-market trades in Employer Stock or to otherwise trade with the Employer.
 
Investments in Employer Stock shall be subject to the following limitations:

(a)   Acquisition Limit . Pursuant to the Plan, the Trust may be invested in Employer Stock to the extent necessary to comply with investment directions under Section 8.02 of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective for Deferral Contributions made for Plan Years beginning on or after January 1, 1999, the portion of a Participant's Deferral Contributions that the Employer may require to be invested in Employer Stock for a Plan Year cannot exceed one percent of such Participant's Compensation for the Plan Year.

(b)   Fiduciary Duty of Named Fiduciary . The Administrator or any person designated by the Administrator as a named fiduciary under Section 19.01 (the "named fiduciary") shall continuously monitor the suitability under the fiduciary duty rules of ERISA Section 404(a)(1) (as modified by ERISA Section 404(a)(2)) of acquiring and holding Employer Stock. The Trustee shall not be liable for any loss, or by reason of any breach, which arises from the directions of the named fiduciary with respect to the acquisition and holding of Employer Stock, unless it is clear on their face that the actions to be taken under those directions would be prohibited by the foregoing fiduciary duty rules or would be contrary to the terms of the Plan or this Trust Agreement.

(c)   Execution of Purchases and Sales . Purchases and sales of Employer Stock shall be made on the open market on the date on which the Trustee receives in good order all information and documentation necessary to accurately effect such purchases and sales or (i) if later, in the case of purchases, the date on which the Trustee has received a transfer of the funds necessary to make such purchases, (ii) as otherwise provided in the Service Agreement, or (iii) as provided in Subsection (d) below. Such general rules shall not apply in the following circumstances:

(1)  If the Trustee is unable to determine the number of shares required to be purchased or sold on such day;

(2)  If the Trustee is unable to purchase or sell the total number of shares required to be purchased or sold on such day as a result of market conditions; or

(3)  If the Trustee is prohibited by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the New York Stock Exchange, or any other regulatory body from purchasing or selling any or all of the shares required to be purchased or sold on such day.

In the event of the occurrence of the circumstances described in (1), (2), or (3) above, the Trustee shall purchase or sell such shares as soon as possible thereafter and, in the case of a Share Accounting Stock Fund, shall determine the price of such purchases or sales to be the average purchase or sales price of all such shares purchased or sold, respectively.

(d)   Purchases and Sales from or to Employer . If directed by the Employer in writing prior to the trading date, the Trustee may purchase or sell Employer Stock from or to the Employer if the purchase or sale is for adequate consideration (within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(18)) and no commission is charged. If Employer contributions or contributions made by the Employer on behalf of the Participants under the Plan are to be invested in Employer Stock, the Employer may transfer Employer Stock in lieu of cash to the Trust. In such case, the shares of Employer Stock to be transferred to the Trust will be valued at a price that constitutes adequate consideration (within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(18)).

(e)   Use of Broker to Purchase Employer Stock . The Employer hereby directs the Trustee to use Fidelity Capital Markets, Inc., an affiliate of the Trustee, or any other affiliate or subsidiary of the Trustee (collectively, "Capital Markets"), to provide brokerage services in connection with all market purchases and sales of Employer Stock for the Stock Fund, except in circumstances where the Trustee has determined, in accordance with its standard trading guidelines or pursuant to Employer direction, to seek expedited settlement of trades.   The Trustee shall provide the Employer with the commission schedule for such transactions, a copy of Capital Markets' brokerage placement practices, and an annual report which summarizes all securities transaction-related charges incurred by the Plan. The following shall apply as well:

(1)                 Any successor organization of Capital Markets through reorganization, consolidation, merger, or similar transactions, shall, upon consummation of such transaction, become the successor broker in accordance with the terms of this provision.

(2)                 The Trustee shall continue to rely on this Employer direction until notified to the contrary. The Employer reserves the right to terminate this authorization upon sixty (60) days written notice to Capital Markets (or its successor) and the Trustee and the Employer and the Trustee shall decide on a mutually-agreeable alternative procedure for handling brokerage transactions on behalf of the Stock Fund.
 
 
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(f)   Securities Law Reports . The named fiduciary shall be responsible for filing all reports required under Federal or state securities laws with respect to the Trust's ownership of Employer Stock; including, without limitation, any reports required under Section 13 or 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and shall immediately notify the Trustee in writing of any requirement to stop purchases or sales of Employer Stock pending the filing of any report. The Trustee shall provide to the named fiduciary such information on the Trust's ownership of Employer Stock as the named fiduciary may reasonably request in order to comply with Federal or state securities laws.

(g)   Voting and Tender Offers . Notwithstanding any other provision of the Trust Agreement the provisions of this Subsection shall govern the voting and tendering of Employer Stock. For purposes of this Subsection, each Participant shall be designated as a named fiduciary under ERISA with respect to shares of Employer Stock that reflect that portion, if any, of the Participant's interest in the Stock Fund not acquired at the direction of the Participant in accordance with ERISA Section 404(c).

The Employer, after consultation with the Trustee, shall provide and pay for all printing, mailing, tabulation and other costs associated with the voting and tendering of Employer Stock, except as required by law. The Trustee, after consultation with the Employer, shall prepare the necessary documents associated with the voting and tendering of Employer Stock, unless the Employer directs the Trustee not to do so.
 
(1)   Voting .

(A)  When the issuer of the Employer Stock prepares for any annual or special meeting, the Employer shall notify the Trustee thirty (30) days in advance of the intended record date and shall cause a copy of all proxy solicitation materials to be sent to the Trustee. If requested by the Trustee, the Employer shall certify to the Trustee that the aforementioned materials represent the same information that is distributed to shareholders of Employer Stock.   Based on these materials the Trustee shall prepare a voting instruction form. At the time of mailing of notice of each annual or special stockholders' meeting of the issuer of the Employer Stock, the Employer shall cause a copy of the notice and all proxy solicitation materials to be sent to each Participant with an interest in Employer Stock held in the Trust, together with the foregoing voting instruction form to be returned to the Trustee or its designee. The form shall show the proportional interest in the number of full and fractional shares of Employer Stock credited to the Participant's Sub-Accounts held in the Stock Fund. The Employer shall provide the Trustee with a copy of any materials provided to the Participants and shall (if the mailing is not handled by the Trustee) notify the Trustee that the materials have been mailed or otherwise sent to Participants.

(B)  Each Participant with an interest in the Stock Fund shall have the right to direct the Trustee as to the manner in which the Trustee is to vote (including not to vote) that number of shares of Employer Stock that is credited to his Account, if the Plan uses share accounting, or, if accounting is by units of participation, that reflects such Participant's proportional interest in the Stock Fund (both vested and unvested). Directions from a Participant to the Trustee concerning the voting of Employer Stock shall be communicated in writing, or by such other means mutually acceptable to the Trustee and the Employer. These directions shall be held in confidence by the Trustee and shall not be divulged to the Employer, or any officer or employee thereof, or any other person, except to the extent that the consequences of such directions are reflected in reports regularly communicated to any such persons in the ordinary course of the performance of the Trustee's services hereunder. Upon its receipt of the directions, the Trustee shall vote the shares of Employer Stock that reflect the Participant's interest in the Stock Fund as directed by the Participant. The Trustee shall not vote shares of Employer Stock that reflect a Participant's interest in the Stock Fund for which the Trustee has received no direction from the Participant, except as required by law.

(2)   Tender Offers .

(A)           Upon commencement of a tender offer for any securities held in the Trust that are Employer Stock, the Employer shall timely notify the Trustee in advance of the intended tender date and shall cause a copy of all materials to be sent to the Trustee.  The Employer shall certify to the Trustee that the aforementioned materials represent the same information distributed to shareholders of Employer Stock. Based on these materials, and after consultation with the Employer, the Trustee shall prepare a tender instruction form and shall provide a copy of all tender materials to be sent to each Participant with an interest in the Stock Fund, together with the foregoing tender instruction form, to be returned to the Trustee or its designee. The tender instruction form shall show the number of full and fractional shares of Employer Stock credited to the Participant's Account, if the Plan uses share accounting, or, if accounting is by units of participation, that reflect the Participant's proportional interest in the Stock Fund (both vested and unvested). The Employer shall notify each Participant with an interest in such Employer Stock of the tender offer and utilize its best efforts to timely distribute or cause to be distributed to the Participant the tender materials and the tender instruction form described herein. The Employer shall provide the Trustee with a copy of any materials provided to the Participants and shall (if the mailing is not handled by the Trustee) notify the Trustee that the materials have been mailed or otherwise sent to Participants.
 
(B)           Each Participant with an interest in the Stock Fund shall have the right to direct the Trustee to tender or not to tender some or all of the shares of Employer Stock that are credited to his Account, if the Plan uses share accounting, or, if accounting is by units of participation, that reflect such Participant's proportional interest in the Stock Fund (both vested and unvested).  Directions from a Participant to the Trustee concerning the tender of Employer Stock shall be communicated in writing, or by such other means as is agreed upon by the Trustee and the Employer under the preceding paragraph.  These directions shall be held in confidence by the Trustee and shall not be divulged to the Employer, or any officer or employee thereof, or any other person, except to the extent that the consequences of such directions are reflected in reports regularly communicated to any such persons in the ordinary course of the performance of the Trustee's services hereunder.  The Trustee shall tender or not tender shares of Employer Stock as directed by the Participant. Except as otherwise required by law, the Trustee shall not tender shares of Employer Stock that are credited to a Participant's Account, if the Plan uses share accounting, or, if accounting is by units of participation, that reflect a Participant's proportional interest in the Stock Fund for which the Trustee has received no direction from the Participant.
 
 
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(C)  A Participant who has directed the Trustee to tender some or all of the shares of Employer Stock that reflect the Participant's proportional interest in the Stock Fund may, at any time prior to the tender offer withdrawal date, direct the Trustee to withdraw some or all of such tendered shares, and the Trustee shall withdraw the directed number of shares from the tender offer prior to the tender offer withdrawal deadline. A Participant shall not be limited as to the number of directions to tender or withdraw that the Participant may give to the Trustee.

(D)  A direction by a Participant to the Trustee to tender shares of Employer Stock that reflect the Participant's proportional interest in the Stock Fund shall not be considered a written election under the Plan by the Participant to withdraw, or have distributed, any or all of his withdrawable shares. If the Plan uses share accounting, the Trustee shall credit to the Participant's Account the proceeds received by the Trustee in exchange for the shares of Employer Stock tendered from the Participant's Account. If accounting is by units of participation, the Trustee shall credit to each proportional interest of the Participant from which the tendered shares were taken the proceeds received by the Trustee in exchange for the shares of Employer Stock tendered from that interest. Pending receipt of direction (through the Administrator) from the Participant or the named fiduciary, as provided in the Plan, as to which of the remaining Permissible Investments the proceeds should be invested in, the Trustee shall invest the proceeds in the Permissible Investment specified for such purposes in the Service Agreement or, if no such Permissible Investment has been specified, the most conservative Permissible Investment designated by the Employer in the Service Agreement.

(h)   Shares Credited . If accounting with respect to the Stock Fund is by units of participation, then for all purposes of this Section 20.12, the number of shares of Employer Stock deemed "reflected" in a Participant's proportional interest shall be determined as of the last preceding valuation date. The trade date is the date the transaction is valued.

(i)   General . With respect to all rights other than the right to vote, the right to tender, and the right to withdraw shares previously tendered, in the case of Employer Stock credited to a Participant's Account or proportional interest in the Stock Fund, the Trustee shall follow the directions of the Participant and if no such directions are received, the directions of the named fiduciary. The Trustee shall have no duty to solicit directions from Participants.

(j)   Conversion . All provisions in this Section 20.12 shall also apply to any securities received as a result of a conversion to Employer Stock.

20.13. Voting; Delivery of Information .   The Trustee shall deliver, or cause to be executed and delivered, to the Employer or Administrator all notices, prospectuses, financial statements, proxies and proxy soliciting materials received by the Trustee relating to securities held by the Trust or, if applicable, deliver these materials to the appropriate Participant or the Beneficiary of a deceased Participant. The Trustee shall not vote any securities held by the Trust except in accordance with the instructions of the Employer, Participant, or the Beneficiary of the Participant if the Participant is deceased; provided, however, that the Trustee may, in the absence of instructions, vote "present" for the sole purpose of allowing such shares to be counted for establishment of a quorum at a shareholders' meeting. The Trustee shall have no duty to solicit instructions from Participants, Beneficiaries, or the Employer.

20.14. Compensation and Expenses of Trustee .   The Trustee's fee for performing its duties hereunder shall be such reasonable amounts as the Trustee may from time to time specify in the Service Agreement or any other written agreement with the Employer. Such fee, any taxes of any kind which may be levied or assessed upon or with respect to the Trust Fund, and any and all expenses, including without limitation legal fees and expenses of administrative and judicial proceedings, reasonably incurred by the Trustee in connection with its duties and responsibilities hereunder shall, unless some or all have been paid by said Employer, be paid either from forfeitures resulting under Section 11.08, or from the remaining Trust Fund and shall, unless allocable to the Accounts of particular Participants, be charged against the respective Accounts of all Participants, in such reasonable manner as the Trustee may determine.

20.15. Reliance by Trustee on Other Persons .   The Trustee may rely upon and act upon any writing from any person authorized by the Employer or the Administrator pursuant to the Service Agreement or any other written direction to give instructions concerning the Plan and may conclusively rely upon and be protected in acting upon any written order from the Employer or the Administrator or upon any other notice, request, consent, certificate, or other instructions or paper reasonably believed by it to have been executed by a duly authorized person, so long as it acts in good faith in taking or omitting to take any such action. The Trustee need not inquire as to the basis in fact of any statement in writing received from the Employer or the Administrator.

The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the latest certificate it has received from the Employer or the Administrator as to any person or persons authorized to act for the Employer or the Administrator hereunder and to sign on behalf of the Employer or the Administrator any directions or instructions, until it receives from the Employer or the Administrator written notice that such authority has been revoked.

Notwithstanding any provision contained herein, the Trustee shall be under no duty to take any action with respect to any Participant's Account (other than as specified herein) unless and until the Employer or the Administrator furnishes the Trustee with written instructions on a form acceptable to the Trustee, and the Trustee agrees thereto in writing. The Trustee shall not be liable for any action taken pursuant to the Employer's or the Administrator's written instructions (nor for the collection of contributions under the Plan, nor the purpose or propriety of any distribution made thereunder).

20.16. Indemnification by Employer .   The Employer shall indemnify and save harmless the Trustee, and all affiliates, employees, agents and sub-contractors of the Trustee, from and against any and all liability or expense (including reasonable attorneys' fees) to which the Trustee, or such other individuals or entities, may be subjected by reason of any act or conduct being taken in the performance of any Plan-related duties, including those described in this Trust Agreement and the Service Agreement, unless such liability or expense results from the Trustee's, or such other individuals' or entities', negligence or willful misconduct.
 
 
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20.17. Consultation by Trustee with Counsel .   The Trustee may consult with legal counsel (who may be but need not be counsel for the Employer or the Administrator) concerning any question which may arise with respect to its rights and duties under the Plan and Trust, and the opinion of such counsel shall, to the extent permitted by law, be full and complete protection in respect of any action taken or omitted by the Trustee hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the opinion of such counsel.

20.18. Persons Dealing with the Trustee .   No person dealing with the Trustee shall be bound to see to the application of any money or property paid or delivered to the Trustee or to inquire into the validity or propriety of any transactions.

20.19. Resignation or Removal of Trustee .   The Trustee may resign at any time by written notice to the Employer, which resignation shall be effective 60 days after delivery to the Employer. The Trustee may be removed by the Employer by written notice to the Trustee, which removal shall be effective 60 days after delivery to the Trustee or such shorter period as may be mutually agreed upon by the Employer and the Trustee.

Except in the case of Plan termination, upon resignation or removal of the Trustee, the Employer shall appoint a successor trustee. Any such successor trustee shall, upon written acceptance of his appointment, become vested with the estate, rights, powers, discretion, duties and obligations of the Trustee hereunder as if he had been originally named as Trustee in this Agreement.

Upon resignation or removal of the Trustee, the Employer shall no longer participate in this prototype plan and shall be deemed to have adopted an individually designed plan. In such event, the Employer shall appoint a successor trustee within said 60-day period and the Trustee shall transfer the assets of the Trust to the successor trustee upon receipt of sufficient evidence (such as a determination letter or opinion letter from the Internal Revenue Service or an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Trustee) that such trust shall be a qualified trust under the Code.

The appointment of a successor trustee shall be accomplished by delivery to the Trustee of written notice that the Employer has appointed such successor trustee, and written acceptance of such appointment by the successor trustee. The Trustee may, upon transfer and delivery of the Trust Fund to a successor trustee, reserve such reasonable amount as it shall deem necessary to provide for its fees, compensation, costs and expenses, or for the payment of any other liabilities chargeable against the Trust Fund for which it may be liable. The Trustee shall not be liable for the acts or omissions of any successor trustee.

20.20. Fiscal Year of the Trust .   The fiscal year of the Trust shall coincide with the Plan Year.

20.21. Discharge of Duties by Fiduciaries .   The Trustee and the Employer and any other fiduciary shall discharge their duties under the Plan and this Trust Agreement solely in the interests of Participants and their Beneficiaries in accordance with the requirements of ERISA.

20.22. Amendment .   In accordance with provisions of the Plan, and subject to the limitations set forth therein, this Trust Agreement may be amended by an instrument in writing signed by the Employer and the Trustee. No amendment to this Trust Agreement shall divert any part of the Trust Fund to any purpose other than as provided in Section 20.03.

20.23. Plan Termination .   Upon termination or partial termination of the Plan or complete discontinuance of contributions thereunder, the Trustee shall make distributions to the Participants or other persons entitled to distributions as the Employer or Administrator directs in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. In the absence of such instructions and unless the Plan otherwise provides, the Trustee shall notify the Employer or Administrator of such situation and the Trustee shall be under no duty to make any distributions under the Plan until it receives written instructions from the Employer or Administrator. Upon the completion of such distributions, the Trust shall terminate, the Trustee shall be relieved from all liability under the Trust, and no Participant or other person shall have any claims thereunder, except as required by applicable law.

20.24. Permitted Reversion of Funds to Employer .   If it is determined by the Internal Revenue Service that the Plan does not initially qualify under Code Section 401, all assets then held under the Plan shall be returned by the Trustee, as directed by the Administrator, to the Employer, but only if the application for determination is made by the time prescribed by law for filing the Employer's return for the taxable year in which the Plan was adopted or such later date as may be prescribed by regulations. Such distribution shall be made within one year after the date the initial qualification is denied. Upon such distribution the Plan shall be considered to be rescinded and to be of no force or effect.

Contributions under the Plan are conditioned upon their deductibility under Code Section 404. In the event the deduction of a contribution made by the Employer is disallowed under Code Section 404, such contribution (to the extent disallowed) must be returned to the Employer within one year of the disallowance of the deduction.

Any contribution made by the Employer because of a mistake of fact must be returned to the Employer within one year of the contribution.

 
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20.25. Governing Law .   This Trust Agreement shall be construed, administered and enforced according to ERISA and, to the extent not preempted thereby, the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Nothing contained in Sections 20.04, 20.13 or 20.21 or this Section 20.25 shall be construed in a manner which subjects a governmental plan (as defined in Code Section 414(d)) or a non-electing church plan (as described in Code Section 410(d)) to the fiduciary provisions of Title I of ERISA.

The CORPORATEplan for Retirement SM  Basic Plan Document 02
 10/09/2003

Ó 2003 FMR Corp.
All rights reserved.
 
 
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ADDENDUM

IRS Model Amendment for Proposed Regulations Under Section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code


Distributions for Calendar Years Beginning on or After 2002.   With respect to distributions under the Plan for calendar years beginning on or after January 1, 2002, the Plan will apply the minimum distribution requirements of section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code in accordance with the regulations under section 401(a)(9) that were proposed on January 17, 2001, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary.  This amendment shall continue in effect until the end of the last calendar year beginning before the effective date of final regulations under section 401(a)(9) or such other date as may be specified in guidance
published by the Internal Revenue Service.

ã 2003 FMR Corp.
All rights reserved.
1
 
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The CORPORATEplan for Retirement SM
ADDENDUM
Re: Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001
(“ EGTRRA”)
Amendments for Fidelity Basic Plan Document No. 02



PREAMBLE

Adoption and Effective Date of Amendment .  This amendment of the Plan is adopted to reflect certain provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 ("EGTRRA"). This amendment is intended as good faith compliance with the requirements of EGTRRA and is to be construed in accordance with EGTRRA and guidance issued thereunder.  Except as otherwise provided below, this amendment shall be effective as of the first day of the first plan year beginning after December 31, 2001.

Supersession of Inconsistent Provisions .  This amendment shall supersede the provisions of the Plan to the extent those provisions are inconsistent with the provisions of this amendment.

1.   
Section 2.01(j), "Compensation," is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph to the end thereof:

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the annual Compensation of each Participant taken into account in determining allocations for any Plan Year beginning after December 31, 2001, shall not exceed $200,000, as adjusted for cost-of-living increases in accordance with Code Section 401(a)(17)(B). Annual Compensation means Compensation during the Plan Year or such other consecutive 12-month period over which Compensation is otherwise determined under the Plan (the determination period). The cost-of-living adjustment in effect for a calendar year applies to annual Compensation for the determination period that begins with or within such calendar year.

2.  
Section 2.01(l), "Deferral Contribution," is hereby amended by replacing the period with a semicolon and adding the following to the end thereof:

provided, however, that the term ‘Deferral Contribution’ shall exclude all catch-up contributions as described in Section 5.03(b)(1) for purposes of Matching Employer Contributions as described in Section 1.10 of the Adoption Agreement, unless otherwise elected by the Employer in Section (c) of the EGTRRA Amendments Addendum to the Adoption Agreement.

3.  
Section 2.01(tt) “Rollover Contribution” is hereby amended as follows:

‘Rollover Contribution’ means any distribution from an eligible retirement plan as defined in Section 5.06 that an Employee elects to contribute to the Plan in accordance with the terms of such Section 5.06.

4.  
The existing text of Section 5.03 is hereby redesignated as Section 5.03(a), and a new Section 5.03(b) is hereby added to read as follows

(b)  
Catch-up Contributions .

(1)  
If elected by the Employer in Section (a) of the EGTRRA Amendments Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, all Participants   who are eligible to make Deferral Contributions under the Plan and who are projected to attain age 50 before the close of the calendar year shall be eligible to make catch-up contributions in accordance with, and subject to the limitations of, Code Section 414(v). Such catch-up contributions shall not be taken into account for purposes of the provisions of the Plan implementing the required limitations of Code Sections 402(g) and 415. The Plan shall not be treated as failing to satisfy the provisions of the Plan implementing the requirements of Code Section 401(k)(3), 401(k)(11), 401(k)(12), 410(b), or 416, as applicable, by reason of the making of such catch-up contributions.

(2)  
Unless otherwise elected by the Employer in Section (b) of the EGTRRA Amendments Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, if the Plan permits catch-up contributions, as described in paragraph (1) above on April 1, 2002,  then, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, effective April 1, 2002, the limit on Deferral Contributions, as otherwise provided in Section 1.07(a)(1) (the “Plan Limit”) shall be 60% of Compensation for the payroll period in question, provided, however, that this Section 5.03(b)(2) shall be inapplicable if the Plan’s Section 1.01(g)(2)(B) Amendment Effective Date is after April 1, 2002.

(3)  
In the event that the Plan Limit is changed during the Plan Year, for purposes of determining catch-up contributions for the Plan Year, as described in paragraph (1) above, the Plan Limit shall be determined pursuant to the time-weighted average method described in Proposed Income Tax Regulation Section 1.414(v)-1(b)(2)(i).

5.  
Section 5.06 is hereby amended to add the following paragraph to the end thereof:

Unless otherwise elected by the Employer in Section (e) of the EGTRRA Amendments Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, the Plan will accept Participant Rollover Contributions and/or direct rollovers of distributions made after December 31, 2001 (including Rollover Contributions received by the Participant as a surviving spouse, or a spouse or former spouse who is an alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order), from the following types of plans:

(a)  
a qualified plan described in Code Section 401(a) or 403(a), including after-tax employee contributions (provided, however, that any such after-tax employee contributions must be contributed in a direct rollover);

(b)  
an annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b), excluding after-tax employee contributions;


(c)  
an eligible plan under Code Section 457(b) that is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state; and

(d)  
Participant Rollover Contributions of the portion of a distribution from an individual retirement account or annuity described in Code Section 408(a) or 408(b) that is eligible to be rolled over and would otherwise be includible in gross income, provided, however, that the Plan will in no event accept a rollover contribution consisting of nondeductible individual retirement account or annuity contributions.
 
 
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6.  
The first paragraph of Section 6.02 is hereby amended by replacing the first sentence thereof with the following:

In no event shall the amount of Deferral Contributions made under the Plan for a calendar year, when aggregated with the ‘elective deferrals’ made under any other plan maintained by the Employer or a Related Employer, exceed the dollar limitation contained in Code Section 402(g) in effect at the beginning of such calendar year, except to the extent permitted under Section 5.03(b)(1)  and Code Section 414(v), if applicable.

7.  
Section 6.08 is hereby amended by adding the following sentence to the end thereof:

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the multiple use test described in Treasury Regulation Section 1.401(m)-2 and this Section 6.08 shall not apply for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001.

8.  
Section 6.12 is hereby amended by adding a new subsection 6.12(e) thereto as follows:

(e)  
Maximum Annual Additions for Limitation Years Beginning After December 31, 2001 .   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this subsection (e) shall be effective for Limitation Years beginning after December 31, 2001. Except to the extent permitted under Section 5.03(b)(1) and Code Section 414(v), if applicable, the ‘annual additions’ that may be contributed or allocated to a Participant's Account under the Plan for any Limitation Year shall not exceed the lesser of:

(1)  
$40,000, as adjusted for increases in the cost-of-living under Code Section 415(d), or

(2)  
100 percent of the Participant's compensation, within the meaning of Code Section 415(c)(3), for the Limitation Year.

The compensation limit referred to in (2) shall not apply to any contribution for medical benefits after separation from service (within the meaning of Code Section 401(h) or 419A(f)(2)) that is otherwise treated as an ‘annual addition’.

9.  
Section 9.04 is hereby amended by replacing the final period in the first paragraph with a semi-colon and adding the following to the end thereof:

provided, however, that notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, effective for Plan loans made after December 31, 2001, Plan provisions prohibiting loans to any ‘owner-employee’ or ‘shareholder-employee’ shall cease to apply.

10.  
Section 10.05(b)(2) is hereby amended by replacing the semicolon with a period and adding the following to the end thereof:

Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the rule in this Section 10.05(b)(2) shall be applied to a Participant who receives a distribution after December 31, 2001, on account of hardship, by substituting the phrase ‘the 6-month period’ for the phrase ‘the 12-month period’.

11.   
Section 10.05(b)(4) is hereby amended by adding the following phrase to the beginning thereof:

Effective for calendar years beginning before January 1, 2002, for a Participant who received a hardship distribution before January 1, 2001,

12.  
The existing text of Section 11.05 is hereby redesignated as Section 11.05(a), and a new Section 11.05(b) is hereby added to read as follows:

(b)  
Vesting of Matching Employer Contributions .   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary , the vesting schedule elected by the Employer in Section (d)(1) of the EGTRRA Amendments Addendum to the Adoption Agreement shall apply to all accrued benefits derived from Matching Employer Contributions for Participants who complete an Hour of Service in a Plan Year beginning after December 31, 2001, except as otherwise elected by the Employer in Section (d)(2) or Section (d)(3) of the EGTRRA Amendments Addendum to the Adoption Agreement. With respect to Participants covered by a collective bargaining agreement, the vesting schedule elected in Section (d)(1) of the EGTRRA Amendments Addendum to the Adoption Agreement shall take effect on a later date if so elected in Section (d)(2). If so elected in Section (d)(3) of the EGTRRA Amendments Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, the vesting schedule elected in Section (d)(1) shall apply only to the accrued benefits derived from Matching Employer Contributions made with respect to Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001 (or such later date as may be provided in Section (d)(2) for Participants covered by a collective bargaining agreement).

13.  
The existing text of Section 12.01 is hereby redesignated as Section 12.01(a), current subsections (a), (b), and (c) thereof are redesignated as paragraphs (1), (2), and (3), respectively, and the first sentence thereof is replaced with the following:

Subject to the application of Section 12.01(b), a Participant or his Beneficiary may not receive a distribution from his Deferral Contributions, Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions, Qualified Matching Employer Contributions, safe harbor Matching Employer Contributions or safe harbor Nonelective Employer Contributions Accounts earlier than upon the Participant’s separation from service with the Employer and all Related Employers, death, or disability, except as otherwise provided in Article 10 or Section 12.04.
 
 
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14.  
Section 12.01 is hereby amended by adding a new subsection (b) to the end thereof:

(b)  If elected by the Employer in Section (f) of the EGTRRA Amendments Addendum to the Adoption Agreement, notwithstanding subsection (a) of this Section 12.01, a Participant, or his Beneficiary, may receive a distribution after December 31, 2001 (or such later date as specified therein), from his Deferral Contributions, Qualified Nonelective Employer Contributions, Qualified Matching Employer Contributions, safe harbor Matching Employer Contributions or safe harbor Nonelective Employer Contributions Accounts on account of the Participant’s severance from employment occurring after the dates specified in Section (f) of the EGTRRA Amendments Addendum to the Adoption Agreement.

15.  
Section 13.04 is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph to the end thereof:
 
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the following provisions shall apply to distributions made after December 31, 2001:  
 
 
(i)  
Modification of definition of eligible retirement plan .  For purposes of this Section 13.04, an ‘eligible retirement plan’ shall also mean an annuity contract described in Code Section 403(b) and an eligible deferred compensation plan under Code Section 457(b) that is maintained by a state, political subdivision of a state, or any agency or instrumentality of a state or political subdivision of a state and which agrees to separately account for amounts transferred into such plan from this Plan. The definition of ‘eligible retirement plan’ shall also apply in the case of a distribution to a surviving spouse, or to a spouse or former spouse who is the alternate payee under a qualified domestic relations order, as defined in Code Section 414(p).
 
 
(ii)  
Modification of definition of eligible rollover distribution to exclude hardship distributions .  For purposes of this Section 13.04, any amount that is distributed on account of hardship shall not be an ‘eligible rollover distribution’ and the ‘distributee’ may not elect to have any portion of such a distribution paid directly to an ‘eligible retirement plan.’
 
 
(iii)  
Modification of definition of eligible rollover distribution to include after-tax Employee Contributions .  For purposes of this Section 13.04, a portion of a distribution shall not fail to be an "eligible rollover distribution" merely because the portion consists of after-tax Employee Contributions which are not includible in gross income. However, such portion may be transferred only to an individual retirement account or annuity described in Code Section 408(a) or (b), or to a qualified defined contribution plan described in Code Section 401(a) or 403(a) that agrees to separately account for amounts so transferred, including separately accounting for the portion of such distribution which is includible in gross income and the portion of such distribution which is not so includible.
 
 

 
16.  
Article 15 is hereby amended by adding a new Section 15.08 at the end thereof as follows:

15.08.    Modification of Top-Heavy Provisions.   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Section 15.08 shall apply for purposes of determining whether the Plan is a top-heavy plan under Code Section 416(g) for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2001, and whether the Plan satisfies the minimum benefits requirements of Code Section 416(c) for such years.  This Section modifies the rules in this Article 15 of the Plan for Plan Years beginning after
December 31, 2001.

(a) Determination of top-heavy status .

     (1)  Key employee . Key employee means any Employee or former Employee (including any deceased Employee)   who at any time during the Plan Year that includes the determination date was an officer of the Employer having annual compensation greater than $130,000 (as adjusted under Code Section 416(i)(1) for Plan Years beginning after December 31, 2002), a 5-percent owner of the Employer, or a 1-percent owner of the Employer having annual compensation of more than $150,000. For this purpose, annual compensation means compensation within the meaning of Code Section 415(c)(3). The determination of who is a key employee will be made in accordance with Code Section 416(i)(1) and the applicable regulations and other guidance of general applicability issued thereunder.

     (2)  Determination of present values and amounts . This Section 15.08(a)(2 ) shall apply for purposes of determining the present values of accrued benefits and the amounts of account balances of Employees as of the determination date.

                      (A) Distributions during year ending on the determination date . The present values of accrued benefits and the amounts of account balances of an Employee as of the determination date shall be increased by the distributions made with respect to the Employee under the Plan and any plan aggregated with the Plan under Code Section 416(g)(2) during the 1-year period ending on the determination date. The preceding sentence shall also apply to distributions under a terminated plan which, had it not been terminated, would have been aggregated with the Plan under Code Section 416(g)(2)(A)(i). In the case of a distribution made for a reason other than separation from service, death, or disability, this provision shall be applied by substituting the phrase "5-year period" for the phrase "1-year period."

                      (B)   Employees not performing services during year ending on the determination date . The accrued benefits and accounts of any individual who has not performed services for the Employer during the 1-year period ending on the determination date shall not be taken into account.
 
                             (b)   Minimum benefits .

(1)  
Matching contributions .  Matching Employer Contributions shall be taken into account for purposes of satisfying the minimum contribution requirements of Code Section 416(c)(2) and the Plan.  The preceding sentence shall apply with respect to Matching Employer Contributions under the Plan or, if the Plan provides that the minimum contribution requirement shall be met in another plan, such other plan.  Matching Employer Contributions that are used to satisfy the minimum contribution requirements shall be treated as matching contributions for purposes of the actual contribution percentage test and other requirements of Code Section 401(m).

(2)  
Contributions under other plans .  The Employer may provide in the Adoption Agreement that the minimum benefit requirement shall be met in another plan (including another plan that consists solely of a cash or deferred arrangement which meets the requirements of Code Section 401(k)(12) and matching contributions with respect to which the requirements of Code Section 401(m)(11) are met).


(c)   Other Modifications .  The top-heavy requirements of Code Section 416 and this Article 15 shall not apply in any year beginning after December 31, 2001, in which the Plan consists solely of a cash or deferred arrangement which meets the requirements of Code Section 401(k)(12) and Matching Employer Contributions with respect to which the requirements of Code Section 401(m)(11) are met.


 
52



ADDENDUM

IRS Model Amendment for Final and Temporary Regulations
Under Internal Revenue Code Section 401(a)(9)

Section 1.  General Rules

1.1  
Effective Date.  The provisions of this addendum will apply for purposes of determining required minimum distributions for calendar years beginning with the 2003 calendar year.

1.2  
Precedence.  The requirements of this addendum will take precedence over any inconsistent provisions of the Plan.

1.3  
Requirements of Treasury Regulations Incorporated.  All distributions required under this addendum will be determined and made in accordance with the Treasury regulations under section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code.

1.4  
TEFRA Section 242(b)(2) Elections.  Notwithstanding the other provisions of this addendum, distributions may be made under a designation made before January 1, 1984, in accordance with section 242(b)(2) of the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act (TEFRA) and the provisions of the Plan that relate to section 242(b)(2) of TEFRA.


Section 2.  Time and Manner of Distribution.

2.1  
Required Beginning Date.  The Participant’s entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, to the Participant no later than the Participant’s Required Beginning Date.

2.2  
Death of Participant Before Distributions Begin.  If the Participant dies before distributions begin, the Participant’s entire interest will be distributed, or begin to be distributed, no later than as follows:

(a)  
If the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary, then, except as otherwise elected under section 6, distributions to the surviving spouse will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant died, or by December 31 of the calendar year in which the Participant would have attained age 70 ½, if later.

(b)  
If the Participant’s surviving spouse is not the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary, then, except as otherwise elected under section 6, distributions to the designated Beneficiary will begin by December 31 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant died.

(c)  
If there is no designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Participant’s death, the Participant’s entire interest will be distributed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant’s death.

(d)  
If the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary and the surviving spouse dies after the Participant but before distributions to the surviving spouse begin, this section 2.2, other than section 2.2(a), will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Participant.

For purposes of this section 2.2 and section 4, unless section 2.2(d) applies, distributions are considered to begin on the Participant’s Required Beginning Date.  If section 2.2(d) applies, distributions are considered to begin on the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under section 2.2(a).  If distributions under an annuity purchased from an insurance company irrevocably commence to the Participant before the Participant’s Required Beginning Date (or to the Participant’s surviving spouse before the date distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under section 2.2(a)), the date distributions are considered to begin is the date distributions actually commence.

2.3
Forms of Distribution.  Unless the Participant’s interest is distributed in the form of an annuity purchased from an insurance company or in a single sum on or before the Required Beginning Date, as of the first distribution calendar year distributions will be made in accordance with sections 3 and 4 of this addendum.  If the Participant’s interest is distributed in the form of an annuity purchased from an insurance company, distributions thereunder will be made in accordance with the requirements of section 401(a)(9) of the Code and the Treasury regulations.
 

53


Section 3.  Required Minimum Distributions During Participant’s Lifetime.

3.1  
Amount of Required Minimum Distribution For Each Distribution Calendar Year.  During the Participant’s lifetime, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year is the lesser of:

(a)  
the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s account balance by the distribution period in the Uniform Lifetime Table set forth in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury regulations, using the Participant’s age as of the Participant’s birthday in the distribution calendar year; or

(b)  
if the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary for the distribution calendar year is the Participant’s spouse, the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s account balance by the number in the Joint and Last Survivor Table set forth in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury regulations, using the Participant’s and spouse’s attained ages as of the Participant’s and spouse’s birthdays in the distribution calendar year.

3.2  
Lifetime Required Minimum Distributions Continue Through Year of Participant’s Death.  Required minimum distributions will be determined under this section 3 beginning with the first distribution calendar year and up to and including the distribution calendar year that includes the Participant’s date of death.


Section 4.  Required Minimum Distributions After Participant’s Death.

4.1  
Death On or After Date Distributions Begin.

(a)  Participant Survived by Designated Beneficiary.  If the Participant dies on or after the date distributions begin and there is a designated Beneficiary, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant’s death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s account balance by the longer of the remaining life expectancy of the Participant or the remaining life expectancy of the Participant’s designated Beneficiary, determined as follows:

(1)  The Participant’s remaining life expectancy is calculated using the age of the Participant in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year.

(2)  If the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary, the remaining life expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant’s death using the surviving spouse’s age as of the spouse’s birthday in that year.  For distribution calendar years after the year of the surviving spouse’s death, the remaining life expectancy of the surviving spouse is calculated using the age of the surviving spouse as of the spouse’s birthday in the calendar year of the spouse’s death, reduced by one for each subsequent calendar year.

(3)  If the Participant’s surviving spouse is not the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary, the designated Beneficiary’s remaining life expectancy is calculated using the age of the Beneficiary in the year following the year of the Participant’s death, reduced by one for each subsequent year.

(b)  No Designated Beneficiary.  If the Participant dies on or after the date distributions begin and there is no designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year after the year of the Participant’s death, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant’s death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s account balance by the Participant’s remaining life expectancy calculated using the age of the Participant in the year of death, reduced by one for each subsequent year.

4.2  
Death Before Date Distributions Begin.

(a)  Participant Survived by Designated Beneficiary.  Except as otherwise elected under section 6, if the Participant dies before the date distributions begin and there is a designated Beneficiary, the minimum amount that will be distributed for each distribution calendar year after the year of the Participant’s death is the quotient obtained by dividing the Participant’s account balance by the remaining life expectancy of the Participant’s designated Beneficiary, determined as provided in section 4.1.

(b)  No Designated Beneficiary.  If the Participant dies before the date distributions begin and there is no designated Beneficiary as of September 30 of the year following the year of the Participant’s death, distribution of the Participant’s entire interest will be completed by December 31 of the calendar year containing the fifth anniversary of the Participant’s death.

(c)  Death of Surviving Spouse Before Distributions to Surviving Spouse Are Required to Begin.  If the Participant dies before the date distributions begin, the Participant’s surviving spouse is the Participant’s sole designated Beneficiary, and the surviving spouse dies before distributions are required to begin to the surviving spouse under section 2.2(a), this section 4.2 will apply as if the surviving spouse were the Participant.


Section 5.  Definitions.

5.1  
Designated Beneficiary.  The individual who is the designated Beneficiary, as such term is defined under section 2.01 of the Plan, and is the designated Beneficiary under section 401(a)(9) of the Internal Revenue Code and section 1.401(a)(9)-1, Q&A-4, of the Treasury regulations.

5.2  
Distribution calendar year.  A calendar year for which a minimum distribution is required.  For distributions beginning before the Participant’s death, the first distribution calendar year is the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year which contains the Participant’s Required Beginning Date.  For distributions beginning after the Participant’s death, the first distribution calendar year is the calendar year in which distributions are required to begin under section 2.2.  The required minimum distribution for the Participant’s first distribution calendar year will be made on or before the Participant’s Required Beginning Date.  The required minimum distribution for other distribution calendar years, including the required minimum distribution for the distribution calendar year in which the Participant’s Required Beginning Date occurs, will be made on or before December 31 of that distribution calendar year.

5.3  
Life expectancy.  Life expectancy as computed by use of the Single Life Table in section 1.401(a)(9)-9 of the Treasury regulations.

5.4  
Participant’s account balance.  The account balance as of the last valuation date in the calendar year immediately preceding the distribution calendar year (valuation calendar year) increased by the amount of any contributions made and allocated or forfeitures allocated to the account balance as of dates in the valuation calendar year after the valuation date and decreased by distributions made in the valuation calendar year after the valuation date.  The account balance for the valuation calendar year includes any amounts rolled over or transferred to the Plan either in the valuation calendar year or in the distribution calendar year if distributed or transferred in the valuation calendar year.

5.5  
Required Beginning Date.  The Required Beginning Date, as such term is defined in section 2.01 of the Plan.

 
 
54


 
Section 6.  Elections.

(a)           Participants or Beneficiaries May Elect 5-Year Rule.  Participants or Beneficiaries may elect on an individual basis whether the 5-year rule or the life expectancy rule in sections 2.2 and 4.2 of this addendum applies to distributions after the death of a Participant who has a designated Beneficiary.  The election must be made no later than the earlier of September 30 of the calendar year in which distribution would be required to begin under section 2.2 of this addendum, or by September 30 of the calendar year which contains the fifth anniversary of the Participant's (or, if applicable, the surviving spouse's) death.  If neither the Participant nor the Beneficiary makes an election under this section 6, distributions will be made in accordance with sections 2.2 and 4.2 of this addendum.
 

 
(b)           Designated Beneficiary Receiving Distributions Under 5-Year Rule May Elect Life Expectancy Distributions.  A designated Beneficiary who is receiving payments under the 5-year rule may make a new election to receive payments under the life expectancy rule until December 31, 2003, provided that all amounts that would have been required to be distributed under the life expectancy rule for all distribution calendar years before 2004 are distributed by the earlier of December 31, 2003 or the end of the 5-year period.


ã 2003 FMR Corp.
All rights reserved.
1
 
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The CORPORATEplan for Retirement SM
ADDENDUM
Re: Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001
(“ EGTRRA”)
Second Amendment for Fidelity Basic Plan Document No. 02


PREAMBLE

Adoption and Effective Date of Amendment .  This amendment of the Plan is adopted to reflect certain provisions of the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2001 ("EGTRRA"). This amendment is intended as good faith compliance with the requirements of EGTRRA and is to be construed in accordance with EGTRRA and guidance issued thereunder.  This amendment shall be effective December 1, 2003.

Supersession of Inconsistent Provisions .  This amendment shall supersede the provisions of the Plan to the extent those provisions are inconsistent with the provisions of this amendment.

The following paragraph is hereby added to the end of Section 16.04:
Notwithstanding anything in the Basic Plan Document or Adoption Agreement (including addenda thereto) to the contrary, to the extent permitted by any regulation or other guidance under the Code, forms of payment may be eliminated without the application of a waiting period and without prior notice to Participants effective with respect to Participants whose Annuity Starting Dates occur on or after the date the Plan amendment eliminating such forms of payment is adopted; provided, however, that to the extent any regulation or other guidance under the Code requires prior notice to Participants as a precondition to the elimination of any form of payment or imposes any other requirement on such elimination, no such elimination shall be effective unless the Plan Administrator has complied with such notice or other requirement.


 
 
56

Exhibit 10.23
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
 
AMENDED AND RESTATED CHANGE IN CONTROL
 
SEVERANCE PROTECTION AGREEMENT
 
This Amended and Restated Agreement , (the “Agreement”) is entered into effective as of ____________, 2008 (the “Agreement Date”), by and between Cabot Microelectronics Corporation , a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and [Executive] (the “Executive”);
 
Witnesseth That:
 
Whereas, the Executive is employed by the Company, and the Company desires to provide protection to the Executive in the event of a Change in Control of the Company;
 
Whereas, the Executive and the Company desire to amend and restate the Change in Control Severance Protection Agreement between the Company and the Executive, dated as of _______, ____ (the “Original Agreement”), in order to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and to make certain other clarifications to ensure that the intended benefits of the Original Agreement are provided to the Executive;
 
Now, Therefore, it is hereby agreed by and between the parties, for good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, as follows:
 
Article I.   Establishment and Purpose
 
1.1   Purpose of the Agreement.   The purpose of this Agreement is to advance the interests of the Company by providing the Executive with an assurance of equitable treatment, in terms of compensation and economic security, in the event of an acquisition or other Change in Control of the Company.  An assurance of equitable treatment will enable the Executive to maintain productivity and focus during the period of significant uncertainty that is inherent in an acquisition or other Change in Control.  Further, the Company believes that agreements of this kind will aid it in attracting and retaining the highly qualified, high-performing professionals who are essential to its success.
 
Article II.   Certain Definitions
 
2.1   “Affiliate” is any entity directly or indirectly controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.
 
2.2   “Cause” means either:
 
(a)   the Executive’s willful and continued failure to perform substantially the duties reasonably assigned to the Executive; or
 
(b)   the Executive’s willful engaging in conduct that is demonstrably and materially injurious to the Company, monetarily or otherwise.
 
The Executive’s willful failure to perform substantially his or her duties shall constitute “Cause” only if the Applicable Board (as defined in Section 5.2) has delivered a written demand for substantial performance to the Executive that specifically identifies the manner in which the Applicable Board believes the Executive has failed to perform, and has otherwise followed the procedure described in Section 5.2 below.  The Executive’s failure to perform substantially his or her assigned duties does not include either a failure that results from the Executive’s death, Disability, physical or mental incapacity, or an anticipated failure following the Executive’s notifying the Company that he or she intends to resign for Good Reason or during the One-Year Window Period.  No act or failure to act of the Executive’s will be deemed “willful” if the Executive acted (or failed to act) in good faith or in the reasonable belief that his or her act or omission was in the best interests of the Company.
 
2.3   “Change in Control” means the first to occur of any of the events or conditions described in subsections (a) through (e):
 
(a)   Any Person, together with all affiliates and associates (within the meaning of Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Exchange Act), acquires Beneficial Ownership, directly or indirectly, or securities of the Company representing at least thirty percent (30%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the acquisition of Voting Securities in a Non-Control Acquisition will not constitute a Change in Control.
 
(b)   During any period of twenty-four (24) consecutive months beginning on or after the Agreement Date, individuals who, at the beginning of that 24-month period, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Directors”), cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board.  A new director of the Company whose election or nomination for election as a director of the Company was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors will be deemed to be an Incumbent Director.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) a new director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 2.3(d) will not be deemed to be an Incumbent  Director and (ii) no individual will be considered to be an Incumbent Director if he or she initially assumed office through an actual or threatened “Election Contest” with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board (a “Proxy Contest”), including by reason of any agreement intended to avoid or settle any Election Contest or Proxy Contest.
 
 
 
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(c)   At any duly conducted election of directors at a special or annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders,
 
(i)  
two or more nominees who are both (A) nominees of and endorsed by the Company and (B) not employees of the Company or any Affiliate at the time of the election are not elected to serve as directors; and
 
(ii)  
any person not a nominee of, and endorsed by, the Company is elected to serve as a director of the Company.
 
(d)   The consummation of:
 
(i)  
a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company, unless the merger, consolidation or reorganization is a “Non-Control Transaction;” or
 
(ii)  
a transaction pursuant to which all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are sold or disposed of to any Person (other than a transfer to a Change in Control Subsidiary).
 
(e)   Approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company; or
 
(f)   This Section 2.3(f) contains the definitions of the capitalized terms used in subsections (a) through (e) above.
 
(i)  
“Voting Securities” are securities of the Company generally entitled to vote in the election of directors.
 
(ii)  
“Person” is used under this Agreement in the same way as under Section 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act.
 
(iii)  
“Beneficial Ownership” is used in the same way as under Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.
 
(iv)  
A “Non-Control Acquisition” is an acquisition (A) by an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or by a Change in Control Subsidiary; (B) by the Company or by a Change in Control Subsidiary; or (C) directly from the Company (1) by an underwriter in connection with an underwritten public offering or private placement, (2) of non-voting convertible debt or non-voting convertible preferred stock (until converted into Voting Securities), or (3) by a Person who, in connection with the acquisition, (a) enters into a standstill agreement with the Company that has a duration of at least two years and pursuant to which the Person agrees to vote the acquired securities on any matter either at the direction of the Board or in the same proportion as the Company’s other stockholders vote on the matter and (b) agrees to assume, honor and perform the Company’s obligations under this Agreement.  An acquisition pursuant to sub-clause (C)(3) will be a Non-Control Acquisition only for so long as the standstill agreement remains in effect.
 
(v)  
“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
 
(vi)  
A “Change in Control Subsidiary” is a corporation or other Person, a majority of whose voting power, voting equity securities or equity interest is owned directly or indirectly by the Company.
 
(vii)  
A “Non-Control Transaction” is a merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company where (A) the stockholders of the Company, immediately before the merger, consolidation or reorganization, own directly or indirectly immediately after the merger, consolidation or reorganization, at least sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from the merger, consolidation or reorganization (the “Surviving Corporation”) in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the Voting Securities immediately before the merger, consolidation or reorganization; (B) the individuals who were Incumbent Directors immediately before the agreement providing for the merger, consolidation or reorganization was executed constitute at least two-thirds of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation; and (C) no Person other than (1) the Company, (2) a Change in Control Subsidiary, or (3) an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company, the Surviving Corporation or a Change in Control Subsidiary, acquires Beneficial Ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Surviving Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities.
 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur solely because a Person acquires Beneficial Ownership of more than the permitted amount of the then outstanding Voting Securities as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company which, by reducing the number of Voting Securities then outstanding, increases the percentage of shares Beneficially Owned by the Person.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Change in Control would occur but for the operation of the preceding sentence as a result of the acquisition of Voting Securities by the Company, and after that acquisition by the Company, the Person described in the preceding sentence increases the percentage of then outstanding Voting Securities he or she owns, a Change in Control will occur.
 
 
 
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2.4   “Change in Control Period” means the period commencing on the Agreement Date and ending on the earliest to occur of the date that is (a) the first anniversary of the date as of which the Company or Committee notifies the Executive in writing that the Agreement is being terminated or (b) other than with respect to an Anticipatory Termination (as defined in Section 2.6), the date on which the Company and its Affiliates cease to employ the Executive, if such cessation occurs prior to a Change in Control.
 
2.5    “Disability” is a physical or mental condition that would entitle the Executive to benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, or if the Company maintains no such plan, then under the federal Social Security law.
 
2.6   “Effective Date” means the first date during the Change in Control Period on which a Change in Control occurs.  Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if a Change in Control occurs and if the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated during the one-year period prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (a) was at the request of a third party that has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (b) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change in Control, then “Effective Date” means the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment (an “Anticipatory Termination”).  In the event of an Anticipatory Termination, the Severance Benefits will be paid or provided as set forth in Section 4.2 and for purposes thereof the “Termination Date” shall be the date of the Change in Control.
 
2.7   “Good Reason” means the taking of actions by the Company that result in a material negative change in the Executive’s employment relationship.  For these purposes, a “material negative change in the Executive’s employment relationship” includes any of the events or conditions described below:
 
(i)  
There is a change in the Executive’s status, title, position or responsibilities (including reporting responsibilities and, if applicable, membership on the Board) which represents a material adverse change from those in effect as of immediately prior to the Change in Control;
 
(ii)  
The Executive is assigned duties or responsibilities that are materially inconsistent with the Executive’s status, title, position or responsibilities as of immediately prior to the Change in Control;
 
(iii)  
A material decrease in the Executive’s annual base salary from the rate in effect as of the date of the Change in Control or as of any date following the Change in Control, whichever is greater;
 
(iv)  
The offices of the Company or Operating Unit at which the Executive is principally employed are moved to a location that increases the Executive’s one-way commute by more than thirty-five (35) miles from the location of the offices occupied immediately prior to such relocation; or
 
(v)  
Any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach by the Company of this Agreement.
 
2.8   “One-Year Window Period” is the thirty (30)-day period commencing on the date of the first anniversary of a Change in Control.
 
Article III.   Employment Period
 
The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the day after the date that is thirteen months following the Effective Date (the “Employment Period”).  The Employment Period shall terminate upon the Executive’s termination of employment for any reason.  During the Employment Period, the Executive’s annual base salary shall be at least equal to the Executive’s annual base salary as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date and the Executive shall be eligible to participate in compensation and benefit plans that are no less favorable than those in which the Executive participated immediately prior to the Effective Date  and on terms and conditions no less favorable (including as to the amount of benefits provided and as to the level of the Executive’s participation) than those that applied immediately prior to the Effective Date (or, if more favorable, those in which similarly situated executives of the Company are eligible to participate during the Employment Period).
 
 
 
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Article IV.   Severance Benefits
 
4.1   Right to Severance Benefit.   The Executive will be entitled to receive from the Company the Severance Benefit provided in Section 4.2 if a Change in Control occurs and, within the Employment Period, the Executive’s employment with the Company and all of its Affiliates is (a) involuntarily terminated by the Company for any reason other than the Executive’s death or Disability or for Cause or (b) by the Executive (i) for Good Reason within the Employment Period (or due to an Anticipatory Termination) or (ii) during the One-Year Window Period.  Other than during the One-Year Window Period, if the Executive voluntarily terminates employment at any time for any reason other than Good Reason (or due to an Anticipatory Termination), the Executive will not be entitled to the Severance Benefit.
 
4.2   Severance Benefit.   The “Severance Benefit” to which the Executive will become entitled if the Executive meets the requirements of Section 4.1 is composed of all of the amounts and benefits described in subsections (a) through (f) below, paid or provided as described in those subsections.
 
(a)   The Company will pay the Executive all Accrued Compensation within ten (10) days after the Termination Date (as defined below).  The Executive’s “Accrued Compensation is all amounts earned or otherwise payable to the Executive as of the Termination Date, including base salary, reimbursement for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by the Executive on behalf of the Company through the Termination Date, vacation pay and earned and unpaid bonuses and incentive compensation with respect to periods prior to the Termination Date; provided, that notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive has made an irrevocable election under any deferred compensation arrangement subject to Section 409A of the Code to defer any portion of the annual base salary, bonuses or incentive compensation described above then for all purposes of this Agreement, such deferral election, and the terms of the applicable arrangement shall apply to the same portion of such amounts, and such portions shall not be considered as part of the “Accrued Compensation” but shall instead be considered as an “Other Amount” (as defined below) .
 
(b)   The Company will pay the Executive a Pro-rata Bonus within thirty (30) days after the Termination Date, subject to the proviso in Section 4.2(a) above.  The Executive’s “Pro-rata Bonus” shall be the amount equal to the Executive’s Bonus Amount (as defined below) multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days that have elapsed through the Termination Date in the Company’s then-current fiscal year and the denominator of which is 365.  For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s “Bonus Amount” shall equal the greatest of:
 
(i)  
the Executive’s target bonus amount for the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs under the Short-Term Incentive Plans (as defined below) in which the Executive is eligible to participate as of immediately prior to the Change in Control;
 
(ii)  
the Executive’s target bonus amount for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs under all Short-Term Incentive Plans in which the Executive is eligible to participate as of immediately prior to the Termination Date; and
 
(iii)  
the highest bonus amount paid or payable to the Executive under all Short-Term Incentive Plans in respect of any of the three fiscal years preceding the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs (or for such lesser number of full fiscal years prior to the Change in Control for which the Executive was eligible to earn such a bonus).
 
For purposes of determining the Bonus Amount, the bonus formulations set forth in clauses (i) through (iii) above shall include any portion of a bonus that the Executive elected to defer and any portion that is settled in equity awards and, for any fiscal year consisting of less than 12 full months or during which the Executive was employed for less than 12 full months and received a pro-rated bonus, shall be annualized.

“Short-Term Incentive Plans” are any bonus or incentive compensation plans, policies, programs or other arrangements that make cash awards to the Executive on the basis of award periods that are no longer than one year.
 
(c)   The Company will pay the Executive an amount equal to [ for executive officers other than the chief executive officer and principal accounting officer: two (2)] [ for the chief executive officer: three (3)][ for the principal accounting officer: one (1) time ]   times the sum of:  (i) the Executive’s annual base salary, (ii) the Executive’s Bonus Amount and (iii) an amount equal to the contributions made or credited by the Company under all qualified and non-qualified retirement plans for the benefit of the Executive for the most recently completed plan year of each such plan.  For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive’s “annual base salary” includes any amounts the Executive may have elected to defer, and will be calculated at the rate in effect immediately before the Change in Control or on the Termination Date, whichever is greater.  The Company will pay the amount described in this Section 4.2(c) in one lump sum, without any discount for accelerated payment, within ten (10) days after the Termination Date.
 
(d)   For the [ for executive officers other than the chief executive officer and principal accounting officer: twenty-four (24)-month][ for the chief executive officer: thirty-six (36)-month][ for the principal accounting officer: twelve (12)-month ] period beginning on the Termination Date (the “Benefits Continuation Period”), the Company will continue on behalf of the Executive and his or her dependents and beneficiaries, at the Company’s expense and without any required contribution by the Executive medical, health, dental and prescription drug benefits (the “Health Care Benefits”).
 
The Health Care Benefits (including deductibles, if any) provided under this Section 4.2(d) will be no less favorable to the Executive and the Executive’s beneficiaries than the most favorable of those coverages and benefits provided to the Executive and the Executive’s dependents during the ninety-day (90-day) period immediately before the earlier of the Executive’s Termination Date and the Change in Control, or as of any date following the Change in Control but preceding the Executive’s Termination Date (such period, the “Benefits Measurement Period”); provided , however , that the Healthcare Benefits provided during the Benefits Continuation Period shall be provided in such a manner that such benefits (and the costs and premiums thereof) are excluded from the Executive’s income for federal income tax purposes, and, if the Company reasonably determines that providing continued coverage under one or more of its welfare benefit plans contemplated herein could be taxable to the Executive, the Company shall provide such benefits at the level required hereby through the purchase of individual insurance coverage.  If the Executive obtains Health Care Benefits under a subsequent employer’s benefit plans during the Benefits Continuation Period, the Health Care Benefits provided hereunder shall be secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable period of eligibility.  In addition, the Company shall make a lump sum payment to the Executive, without any discount for accelerated payment, within ten (10) days after the Termination Date in an amount equal to the product of (i) the annual premium payments based on the conversion rates applicable to the Executive as of the Termination Date in respect of the group term life insurance policy and not any supplemental policies under which the Executive was covered immediately prior to the Date of Termination and (ii) [ for executive officers other than the chief executive officer and principal accounting officer: two (2)] [ for the chief executive officer: three (3)][ for the principal accounting officer: one (1) ].  To the extent requested by the Executive within 30 days following the Date of Termination, the Company shall take all action necessary, if any, to facilitate the Executive’s exercise of all conversion privileges, if any, under such group term life insurance policy.
 
 
 
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(e)   The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with outplacement assistance services the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in the Executive’s sole discretion, provided that the cost of such outplacement shall not exceed 15% of the Executive’s annual base salary; and provided, further, that such outplacement benefits shall end not later than the last day of the second calendar year that begins after the Termination Date.
 
(f)   All amounts earned by, or awarded to, the Executive under any incentive compensation plan or benefit plan and not specifically described in Sections 4.2(a) through (e) above (the “Other Amounts”) will immediately vest on the Executive’s Termination Date, and the Executive will be entitled to be paid such Other Amounts in accordance with the terms of the plans.  In addition, all stock options to acquire Company common stock, shares of restricted Company common stock and any other equity-related awards granted to the Executive under the Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 2000 Equity Incentive Plan or any successor plan will immediately vest and become freely exercisable upon a Change in Control, to the extent provided by the terms of that plan.  This Section 4.2(f) will not apply to any benefits allocated or accrued to the Executive under any plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code.
 
All payments described in this Section 4.2 are described gross of any withholding, and will be subject to any applicable requirement to withhold income, payroll or other taxes, except with respect to, and to the extent provided as, a Gross-up Payment as provided in Article VI below.
 
4.3   No Obligation to Mitigate.   The Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of the Severance Benefit or any portion of it by seeking other employment or otherwise.  Except as provided in Section 4.2(d), no portion of the Severance Benefit will be offset or reduced by the amount of any compensation or benefits provided to the Executive through subsequent employment.
 
Article V.   Termination of Employment
 
5.1   Termination Date.   The “Termination Date” is the date on which the Executive’s employment with the Company and all Affiliates terminates, pursuant to the provisions of this Article V.  The Company and the Executive shall take all steps necessary (including with regard to any post-termination services by the Executive) to ensure that any termination described in this Article V constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the date on which such separation from service takes place shall be the “Termination Date.”
 
5.2   Termination by Company for Cause.   At any time following a Change in Control and during the Employment Period, the Company must follow the procedure set forth in this Section 5.2, in order to terminate the Executive for Cause.  First, the Board of Directors of the Company (or if the Company is not the ultimate parent of the Company, the board of directors of the ultimate parent of the Company (the “Applicable Board”)) shall hold a meeting to determine whether Cause exists.  The Company must give the Executive reasonable advance written notice of the meeting and of the facts and circumstances that will be presented to the Applicable Board as constituting Cause, including facts evidencing that the Executive has been given at least a thirty (30) day opportunity within which to cure any facts and circumstances constituting Cause, unless the facts and circumstances alleged to constitute Cause do not allow for cure.  The Executive will have an opportunity, together with the Executive’s counsel, to be heard by the Applicable Board before the meeting.  If the Applicable Board finds, by a resolution duly adopted in good faith by affirmative vote of at least three-quarters of the entire membership of the Applicable Board, that Cause exists and that the Executive should be terminated for Cause, then the Applicable Board must set forth those findings in a written resolution that also includes the specific facts and circumstances found to constitute Cause (which cannot include any facts or circumstances not included in the written notice of the Applicable Board meeting given to the Executive).  The Company must furnish the Executive with a copy of the resolution, together with a written notice that the Executive is being terminated for Cause.  The notice must specify the effective date of the termination.  The effective date of the termination may not be sooner than five (5) business days after the date the Company delivers the resolution and notice to the Executive.  In any action to contest the existence of Cause, the Applicable Board’s findings will have no presumptive weight.  The Company may not later rely upon any facts or circumstances as Cause for the Executive’s termination, other than the facts or circumstances set forth in the notice of the Applicable Board meeting given to the Executive and found by the Applicable Board at that meeting to constitute Cause.
 
5.3   Termination by Company for Disability.   At any time following a Change in Control and during the Employment Period, the Company must follow the procedure set forth in this Section 5.3, in order to terminate the Executive for Disability.  If, as a result of Disability, the Executive has been absent from the performance of his or her duties for the Company for the elimination period provided in the Company’s long-term disability plan (or, if the Company does not maintain a long-term disability plan, for six (6) consecutive months) and the Executive is unable to return to his or her duties on a full-time basis, even with reasonable accommodations on the Company’s part, the Company may give the Executive written notice that it proposes to terminate the Executive’s employment for Disability.  The notice will state that the Company will terminate the Executive for Disability effective on a specific date, unless the Executive returns to the performance of his or her duties on a full-time basis by that date.  The effective date of the termination may not be sooner than thirty (30) days after the date the Company delivers the notice to the Executive.  The Executive will be terminated for Disability if and only if the Company has made all reasonable accommodations required to permit the Executive to return to work and the Executive has not returned on a full-time basis by the date specified in the notice.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 5.3, if the Executive elects a disability retirement under any qualified retirement plan of the Company, or begins to receive benefits under the Company’s long-term disability plan, he or she will be deemed to have been properly terminated for Disability by the Company.  The effective date of such a termination will be the Executive’s retirement date under the retirement plan or the date as of which long-term disability benefits begin under the Company’s long-term disability plan, whichever is sooner.
 
5.4   Termination by Executive for Good Reason.   Following a Change in Control and during the Employment Period, the Executive may terminate employment for Good Reason.  In order to invoke a termination for Good Reason, the Executive shall provide written notice to the Company of the existence of one or more of the conditions described in clauses (i) through (vi) of Section 2.7 within ninety (90) days following the initial existence of such condition or conditions, and, to the extent such condition is curable, the Company shall have thirty (30) days following receipt of such written notice (the “Cure Period”) during which it may remedy the condition.  In the event that the Company fails to remedy the condition constituting Good Reason during the Cure Period, the Executive must terminate employment, if at all, within ninety (90) days following the Cure Period in order to terminate employment for Good Reason.  The Executive’s mental or physical incapacity following the occurrence of an event described above in clauses (i) through (vi) of Section 2.7 shall not affect the Executive’s ability to terminate employment for Good Reason .
 
 
 
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5.5   Voluntary Termination by Executive during the One-Year Window Period. Following a Change in Control and during the Employment Period, the Executive may voluntarily terminate his or her employment with the Company and its Affiliates for any or no reason during the One-Year Window Period without giving prior notice to the Company, and will not be required to give any notice in order to perfect his or her rights under this Agreement on termination during the One-Year Window Period. The Executive will be deemed to voluntarily terminate his or her employment with the Company and all Affiliates during the One-Year Window Period only if the Executive actually terminates employment with the Company and all Affiliates before the end of the One-Year Window Period.
 
5.6   Other Termination.   Neither the Company nor the Executive must follow any particular procedures to effect a termination for a reason other than Cause, Disability or Good Reason, or for the Executive to terminate employment voluntarily at a time other than during the One-Year Window Period.
 
Article VI.   Parachute Payments
 
6.1   Excise Tax Gross-up Payment.   Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any amounts or benefits the Executive would receive , whether paid or provided under this Agreement or otherwise (such amounts and benefits that are in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code), the “Payments”), would subject the Executive to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), the Company will pay the Executive, in addition to the Severance Benefit and any other payments or benefits to which the Executive is entitled, a “Gross-up Payment.”  The Gross-up Payment will be in the amount such that, after payment by the Executive of all taxes (and any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, but excluding any income taxes and penalties imposed pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.  The Company’s obligation to make a Gross-Up Payment under this Section 6.1 shall not be conditioned upon the Executive’s termination of employment and shall survive the Executive’s termination of employment.
 
6.2   Determination of Gross-up Payment.   A nationally recognized certified public accounting firm or professional services firm with experience making such determinations, as may be designated by the Company prior to the Change in Control (the “Accounting Firm”), will make an initial determination of whether the Company must pay a Gross-up Payment, and if so, the amounts of any such Gross-up Payment.  The Accounting Firm will provide the Company and the Executive with the determination and detailed supporting calculations and documentation within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company.  The Company will pay the fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm.  The Executive will have the right to accept the determination, or to have the determination reviewed by a nationally recognized accounting firm selected by the Executive, at the Executive’s expense.  The determination of the second accounting firm will be binding, final and conclusive on the Company and the Executive.  The Company will pay the Gross-up Payment finally determined under this Section 6.2 within ten (10) days after it is finally determined or if earlier the date that it is due to the Internal Revenue Service or any other applicable taxing authority; provided that, the Gross-Up Payment shall in all events be paid no later than the end of the Executive’s taxable year next following the Executive’s taxable year in which the Excise Tax (and any income or other related taxes or interest or penalties thereon) on a Payment are remitted to the Internal Revenue Service or any other applicable taxing authority.  The Gross-Up Payment shall be paid to the Executive; provided that the Company, in its sole discretion, may withhold and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the Executive, all or any portion of any Gross-Up Payment, and the Executive hereby consents to such withholding.
 
Article VII.   Other Rights and Benefits Not Affected
 
7.1   Other Benefits.   Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement will not affect any other plan, program or arrangement under which the Executive may accrue or earn benefits or compensation.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive receives a Separation Benefit pursuant to Section 4.2 of this Agreement, the Executive shall not be entitled to any severance pay or benefits under any severance plan, program or policy of the Company and its Affiliates.
 
7.2   Employment Status.   This Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Executive or the Company any obligation to retain the Executive as an employee, to change the status of the Executive’s employment, or to change the Company’s policies regarding termination of employment.
 
Article VIII.   Successors and Beneficiaries
 
8.1   Successors.   The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise) of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
 
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees.  If the Executive should die while any amount would still be payable to him hereunder had the Executive continued to live, all such amounts, unless otherwise provided herein, shall be paid in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to the Executive’s devisee, legatee, or other designee, or if there is no such designee, to the Executive’s estate.
 
 
 
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8.2   Beneficiaries.   The Executive’s beneficiary under the Cabot Microelectronics Corporation 401(k) Plan (or any successor plan (and if there is no such successor plan the Executive’s beneficiary as noted on the records of the Company)) will be the Executive’s beneficiary under this Agreement, unless the Executive otherwise designates a beneficiary in the form of a signed writing acceptable to the Committee.  The Executive may make or change such designation at any time.
 
Article IX.   Legal Fees and Arbitration
 
The Company will indemnify and reimburse the Executive for all legal fees and related expenses (including the costs of experts, evidence and counsel, but not including the costs of an accounting firm selected by the Executive to perform a Gross-up Payment determination as provided in Section 6.2) (the “Legal Expenses”) reasonably incurred by the Executive:
 
(a)   to contest or dispute in good faith the Executive’s termination of employment with the Company and its Affiliates; or
 
(b)   to seek to obtain or enforce any benefit or right provided by this Agreement or by any other plan or arrangement maintained by the Company or its Affiliates and under which the Executive is or may be entitled to receive benefits upon or following the Executive’s termination of employment or a Change in Control.
 
In either case, the Executive will be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement of the Legal Expenses only if the termination of employment the Executive contests or disputes, or as to which the Executive seeks benefits or rights, arose in connection with a Change in Control or during the Employment Period.  In order to comply with Section 409A of the Code, (i) the Legal Expenses shall be reimbursed with respect to claims, actions or proceedings incurred at any time from the occurrence of a Change in Control through the Executive s remaining lifetime (or, if longer, through the 20 th anniversary of the occurrence of such Change in Control), (ii) in no event shall the payments by the Company under this Article IX be made later than the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which the Legal Expenses were incurred, provided that the Executive shall have submitted an invoice for such Legal Expenses at least ten (10) business days before the end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which such Legal Expenses were incurred; (iii) the amount of any Legal Expenses that the Company is obligated to pay in any given calendar year shall not affect the Legal Expenses that the Company is obligated to pay in any other calendar year; and (iv) the Executive’s right to have the Company pay such Legal Expenses may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit.
 
Article X.   Amendment, Modification, Termination and Substitution
 
10.1   Amendment, Modification, Termination and Substitution.   Subject to Sections 10.2 and 10.3, the Board may at any time and from time to time alter, amend, modify, extend or terminate this Agreement, or accept its surrender and execute a new agreement in substitution of it, by resolution or consent adopted by two-thirds of the Board.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no modification or substitution of this Agreement will, without the prior written consent of the Executive, alter or impair any rights or obligations under this Agreement.  The Executive must be given a copy of any instrument that purports to alter, amend, modify, extend or terminate this Agreement.
 
10.2   Limitations on Amendment, Modification, Termination and Substitution.   No amendment, termination, modification, extension or substitution of this Agreement will be effective if it would adversely affect the rights of the Executive, if a Change in Control occurs within one year after the date it is meant to be effective (or, if earlier, if a Change in Control occurs after the Executive’s Anticipatory Termination), and any such an amendment, termination, modification or substitution will be automatically rescinded, unless the rescission of any such amendment, termination, modification or substitution would result in adverse tax consequences to the Executive.  .  In addition, this Agreement may not be amended, modified, terminated, extended or substituted at the request of a third party who has indicated an intent, or taken steps to effect, a Change in Control, or otherwise in connection with or anticipation of a Change in Control.  From and after the occurrence of a Change in Control, this Agreement may not be amended, modified, terminated, extended or substituted in a manner that would in any way adversely affect the benefits or rights provided to the Executive.
 
10.3   Section 409A of the Code.   The payments and benefits under this Agreement are intended to be exempt from Code Section 409A pursuant to the exception for short-term deferrals, reimbursements, and in-kind distributions.  This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and administered in accordance with such intent.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive and the Company acknowledge that it may be necessary to amend this Agreement, within the time period permitted by the applicable Treasury Regulations, to make changes so as to cause such payments and benefits not to be considered “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, to cause the provisions of this Agreement to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, or a combination thereof, so as to avoid the imposition of  taxes and penalties on the Executive pursuant to Section 409A of the Code.  The Executive hereby agrees that, prior to a Change in Control, the Company may, without any further consent from the Executive, make any and all such changes to this Agreement as may be necessary or appropriate to avoid the imposition of penalties on the Executive pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, while not substantially reducing the aggregate value to the Executive of the payments and benefits to, or otherwise adversely affecting the rights of, the Executive under this Agreement.  Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.  In no event may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement.  All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under this Agreement shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and (i) shall be paid or provided within the time period permitted under Section 409A of the Code, (ii) the amount or benefit that the Company is obligated to pay or provide in any given calendar year shall not affect the amount or benefit that the Company is obligated to pay in any other calendar year and (iii) the Executive’s right to have the Company pay or provide the amount or benefit may not be liquidated or exchanged for any other benefit .
 
 
 
7

 
 
Article XI.   Miscellaneous
 
11.1   Severability.   If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal or invalid for any reason, the illegality or invalidity will not affect the remaining parts of the Agreement, and the Agreement will be construed and enforced as if the illegal or invalid provision had not been included.
 
11.2   Unfunded Status of Agreement.   This Agreement is intended to constitute an “unfunded” arrangement for executive compensation.  As to any payments due but not yet made under this Agreement, the Executive’s rights are no greater than those of a general creditor of the Company.  The Company is not required to fund or otherwise set aside assets to pay the amounts owed under this Agreement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, immediately prior to a Change in Control, the Company or its successor must and will establish a “rabbi” trust with a nationally recognized financial institution as trustee and fully fund the Severance Benefit, Gross-up Payment (if any), and any other amounts that may become payable under this Agreement; provided, however, that the trust shall not be funded if the funding thereof would result in taxable income to the Executive by reason of Section 409A(b) of the Code; and provided, further, in no event shall any trust assets at any time be located or transferred outside of the United States, within the meaning of Section 409A(b) of the Code.  Any fees and expenses of the trustee of any such rabbi trust shall be paid by the Company.
 
11.3   Governing Law.   The laws of the State of Illinois, other than its conflict of law principles, will govern in all matters relating to this Agreement.
 
11.4   Nonassignability. Neither the Executive nor his or her beneficiaries or legal representatives may assign or transfer this Agreement or any right under it, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, and legatees.
 
11.5   Settlement of Claims. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreements will not be affected by any circumstances, including, without limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, defense, recoupment or other right which the Company may have against the Executive or others.
 
11.6   Survivorship.   Upon the expiration or other termination of this Agreement or the Executive’s employment, the respective rights and obligations of the parties hereto shall survive to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of the parties under this Agreement.
 
11.7   Entire Agreement.   From and after the Agreement Date, this Agreement shall supersede the Original Agreement.  From and after the Effective Date, this Agreement shall supersede any other employment, severance or change of control agreement between the parties   with respect to the subject matter hereof.
 





 
8

 






In Witness Whereof, the Company and the Executive have duly executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
 


Cabot Microelectronics Corporation




By:______________________________________

Its:______________________________________



_________________________________________
                    (Executive’s Signature)


Executive’s Name and Address for notices:

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

 
 
 
9
Exhibit 10.28
CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
 
DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

AS AMENDED AND RESTATED SEPTEMBER 23, 2008

 
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the "Company") desires to amend and restate the Directors' Deferred Compensation Plan (the "Plan").  The Plan as originally adopted March 13, 2001 and as amended as of June 17, 2003 (attached hereto as Exhibit A) remains in effect for amounts deferred prior to January 1, 2005.  The Plan was previously amended and restated as of September 26, 2006, and is further amended and restated effective September 23, 2008 as set forth herein.
 
The Plan is designed to assist the Company in attracting and retaining persons of competence and stature to serve as Directors by giving those Directors the option of deferring receipt of the fees payable to them by the Company for their services as Directors and creating an opportunity for appreciation of fees deferred based on appreciation of the Company's Common Shares.
 
Therefore, the Company hereby adopts the Plan as hereinafter set forth:
 
1.   Effective Date .  The Plan is amended and restated effective as of the date executed as set forth below.
 
2.   Eligibility and Participation .   Each Director of the Company who: (a) is duly elected to the Company's Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors" or the "Board"); (b) receives fees, stipends, awards, or other remuneration ("Directors' Fees") from the Company for services as a Director; and (c) is not an employee of the Company, is an "Eligible Director."  Each Eligible Director may defer receipt of Directors' Fees otherwise payable to that Eligible Director, as provided for in the Plan, beginning on the date he or she is first elected to the Company's Board.  Each Eligible Director who elects to defer Directors' Fees under the Plan is a "Participant" in the Plan.
 
3.   Administration .   The Board appoints the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the Company's General Counsel to act as the administrators of the Plan (separately and collectively referred to herein as the "Administrator").  The Administrator will serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and will administer, construe and interpret the Plan.  The Administrator will not be liable for any act done or determination made in good faith.  The Board of Directors has the power to designate an additional or replacement Administrator at its discretion. The expense of administering the Plan shall be borne by the Company and shall not be charged against benefits payable hereunder.
 
4.   Deferrals .
 
(a)   Deferral Election .   An Eligible Director may file with the Administrator, on or before December 31 of each year, an election in writing to defer all or a portion of the Directors' Fees to be earned by the Eligible Director in the following calendar year (a "Deferral Election").  The Deferral Election shall remain in effect until changed or revoked, but as of each December 31 it shall be irrevocable with respect to Directors Fees to be earned by the Director in the immediately following year.   In the year in which a Director first becomes eligible to participate in the Plan, a Deferral Election may be made with respect to services to be performed subsequent to the date of the Deferral Election, if it is filed with the Administrator within thirty (30) days after the date the Director becomes eligible to participate in the Plan.  When a Deferral Election is filed, an amount equal to all or a portion (as designated in the Deferral Election) of the Directors' Fees earned by the Participant for the following calendar year (or the remainder of the calendar year, in the case of new Directors) will be credited to a deferral account maintained on behalf of that Participant (the "Deferral Account").  Each Deferral Election must also specify a distribution commencement date and a method of distribution (lump sum or equal installments), consistent with the terms of paragraph 5.
 
(b)   Minimum Deferral .  The amount of Deferral Election may not be less than $1,000 per calendar quarter.
 
(c)   Accounting .  The Deferral Accounts will be maintained by the Company and will list and reflect each Participant's credits and valuations.  The Administrator will provide each Participant an annual statement of the balance in that Participant's Deferral Account.  The Company will credit to each Participant's Deferral Account an amount equivalent to the Directors' Fees or portion thereof, as designated in the Deferral Election, that would have been paid to the Participant if the Participant had not elected to defer such compensation under the Plan.  The credit will be made on the date on which the Directors' Fees would have been paid absent a Deferral Election.  The Plan is unfunded and no funds will be segregated into the Deferral Account of Participants.
 
(d)   Valuation . Each Deferral Account will be credited a number of Share Units (including fractions thereof) determined by dividing the amount to be credited to the Deferral Account, whether in lieu of payment of Directors' Fees or as a dividend or other distribution attributable to those Share Units, by the Fair Market Value of the Company's Common Shares (as defined below) on the date of credit.  Fair Market Value of the Company's Common Shares means: (i) the closing price of the Company's Common Shares on the principal exchange on which the Company's Common Shares are then trading, if any, on the date such Share Units are to be credited, or, if Shares were not traded on the date of crediting, then on the next preceding trading day during which a sale occurred; or (ii) if the Common Shares are not traded on an exchange but are quoted on the Nasdaq National Market System or a successor quotation system, (1) the last sales price (if the Common Shares are then listed as a National Market Issue under Nasdaq), or (2) the mean between the closing representative bid and asked prices for the Common Shares on the date of credit as reported by Nasdaq or a successor quotation system, or (iii) if the Common Shares are not publicly traded on an exchange and not quoted on Nasdaq or a successor quotation system, the mean between the closing bid and asked prices for the Common Shares on the date of credit, as determined in good faith by the Company's Chief Financial Officer; or (iv) if the Company's Common Shares are not publicly traded, the fair market value established by the Company's Chief Financial Officer acting in good faith.  Each Share Unit will have the value of a Common Share of the Company.  The number of Share Units will be adjusted proportionally to reflect stock splits, stock dividends or other capital adjustments effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, provided, that, in the event of a merger, acquisition or other business combination of the Company with or into another entity, any adjustment provided for in the applicable agreement and plan of merger (or similar document) shall be conclusively deemed to be appropriate for purposes of this Section.
 
 
 
1

 
 
5.   Distribution .   A Participant must elect in writing, at the time each Deferral Election is made under paragraph 4(a), the date on which distribution of the amounts credited to the Participant's Deferral Account to which that Deferral Election relates will commence and the method of distribution, as permitted hereunder.  A Participant's distribution election must specify that distribution will occur on the event or date set forth in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii) below.  The distribution date elected by the Participant for Directors' Fees deferred in a given year shall be the Scheduled Withdrawal Date and may vary with each year, pursuant to the terms of the Deferral Election.  A Participant's Scheduled Withdrawal Date with respect to Directors' Fees deferred in a given year can be no earlier than two years from the last day of the year in which the deferrals are made, other than for "Separation from Service" (as described in paragraph 5(a) below), and will be no later than the date the Participant experiences a Separation from Service as a Director.  Payment will be made in the Company's Common Shares only, in one distribution or equal installment distributions based on the number of Share Units attributable to the applicable Deferral Election.  Installments may not be made more often than monthly and may not extend for more than five years. The time of and method of distribution of benefits may vary with each separate Deferral Election.  The Deferral Accounts represent an unsecured right to acquire the Company's Common Shares.   In the event a Participant does not elect a Scheduled Withdrawal Date, all deferred amounts will be distributed within thirty (30) days following the Participant's Separation from Service (as described in paragraph 5(a) below).
 
(a)   Time of Distribution .   A Participant's Accounts under the Plan may be paid only upon an event or at a time set forth in this paragraph 5(a):
 
(i)   The Participant's "Separation from Service" (as defined in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(h) and in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(i)(2)).
 
(ii)   On a specified date prior to the Participant's Separation from Service, but no earlier than two years from the last day of the year in which the Directors' Fees are deferred, or according to a fixed schedule of equal installments not more frequent than monthly and over a period of not longer than five years (in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(i)(1)).
 
(iii)   The Participant's "Disability" (in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(4)).
 
(iv)   The Participant's death.
 
(v)   A change in the ownership or effective control of the corporation, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the corporation (in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(i)(5)).
 
(vi)   The occurrence of an "Unforeseeable Emergency," in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3 (i)(3), and paragraph 6 of the Plan.
 
(b)   Method of Distribution .   Deferred amounts will be paid in the Company's Common Shares.  Payments will be made in a lump sum or in equal installments not more frequent than monthly and over a period of not longer than five years.  A Participant must elect in writing, at the time each Deferral Election is made, the method of distribution of the Participant's Deferral Account, as permitted hereunder, to which that Deferral Election relates.  The method of distribution of benefits may vary with each year, pursuant to the terms of the Deferral Election.  In the event a Participant does not elect a method of distribution with respect to a particular year’s deferrals, the deferred amounts for such year will be distributed in a single lump sum.   The Participant shall receive Common Shares equal to the number of Share Units in the Deferral Accounts as of the occurrence of the event upon which the Participant's Accounts are payable. Fractional Share Units may be settled in cash or otherwise as the Company determines.
 
(c)   Changes to Time or Method of Distribution .   Except as provided in this paragraph 5(c) or in paragraph 5(d), no Participant may change a Scheduled Withdrawal Date or a method of distribution designated in a Deferral Election, and in no case shall such change be made if it would result in the deferral of any amount in the Participant's Deferral Account later than that Participant's Separation from Service.  Any change in a Scheduled Withdrawal Date that is not the Participant's Separation from Service must be made by the Participant by submitting a new Deferral Election at least twelve (12) months prior to the Scheduled Withdrawal Date.  Any deferred amounts for which the Scheduled Withdrawal Date or the method of distribution is changed shall be deferred for an additional period of not less than five (5) years from the date the Participant otherwise would have received the distribution, except with regard to payments made due to the Participant's death or Disability or an Unforeseeable Emergency.  A new Scheduled Withdrawal Date may not take effect until at least twelve (12) months after the date on which it is elected.
 
6.   Unforeseeable Emergency .   Distribution of a Participant's Deferral Account may be made to a Participant prior to his or her Separation from Service in the event an "Unforeseeable Emergency," as that term is defined for purposes of Code Section 409A and the regulations issued thereunder.  An Unforeseeable Emergency is generally a severe financial hardship resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, the Participant's spouse or a dependent of the Participant, loss of the Participant's property due to casualty, or other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant.  Consistent with the Code, any distributions from a Participant's Deferral Account made in the event of an Unforeseeable Emergency may not exceed the amount required to satisfy such emergency plus amounts necessary to pay taxes reasonably anticipated as a result of the distribution, after taking into account the extent to which such hardship is or may be relieved through reimbursement or compensation by insurance or otherwise by liquidation of the Participant's assets (to the extent liquidation of such assets would not itself cause severe financial hardship).
 
 
 
2

 
 
7.   Separation from Service due to Death or Disability .
 
(a)   In the event of a Participant's Separation from Service by reason of death or Disability prior to the distribution of any portion of that Participant's Deferral Account, the Administrator will, within ninety (90) days of the date of Separation from Service, commence distribution of amounts credited to the Deferral Account to the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the Participant or to the Participant.  Distribution will be made in accordance with the method of distribution elected by the Participant pursuant to paragraph 5 hereof.  In the event a Participant's death or Disability occurs after distribution of amounts credited to the Deferral Account hereunder has begun, the Administrator will continue to make distributions to the Participant (or to the beneficiary or beneficiaries in the event of death) in accordance with the methods of distribution elected by the Participant pursuant to paragraph 5 hereof.
 
(b)   Each Participant has the right to designate one or more beneficiaries to receive distributions in the event of such Participant's death by filing with the Administrator a Beneficiary Designation Form.  The designated beneficiary or beneficiaries may be changed by a Participant at any time prior to that Participant's death by the delivery to the Administrator of a new Beneficiary Designation Form.  If no beneficiary has been designated, or if no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, distributions pursuant to this provision will be made to the Participant's estate.
 
8.   Assignment and Alienation of Benefits .  The right of each Participant to any account, benefit or payment hereunder will not, to the extent permitted by law, be subject in any manner to attachment or other legal process for the debts of that Participant; and no account, benefit or payment will be subject to anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment or encumbrance except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or by a Participant election to satisfy a property settlement agreement pursuant to a divorce.
 
9.   Effect of Change of Control .   In the event of a Change of Control of the   Company that also constitutes a “change in the ownership or effective control” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and Treas. Regs. 1.409A-3(i)(5), the entire unpaid balance of the Deferred Account shall be paid in a lump sum to the Participant as of the effective date of the Change of Control.  Change of Control shall mean the first to occur of any of the following events:
 
(a)   any "person" as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act"), (other than (i) the Company, (ii) any subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company, or (iv) any company owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company), is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as defined in Section 13(d) of the 1934 Act), together with all Affiliates and Associates (as such terms are used in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the 1934 Act) of such person, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing thirty percent (30%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding securities; or

(b)   the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other company, other than (i) a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity), in combination with the ownership of any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company, at least sixty percent (60%) of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (ii) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction) after which no "person" (with the method of determining "beneficial ownership" used in clause (a) of this definition) owns more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined voting power of the securities of the Company or the surviving entity of such merger or consolidation; or

(c)   during any period of two (2) consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of the Plan), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board, and any new Director (other than a Director designated by a person who has conducted or threatened a proxy contest, or has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in clause (a), (b) or (d) of this definition) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the Directors then still in office who either were Directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof; or

(d)   the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
 
 
 
3

 

 
10.   Section 409A Compliance .   Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, this Plan is intended to comply with Code Section 409A and the interpretive guidance thereunder.  The Plan shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.  If any provision of this Plan shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be fully effective.
 
11.   Unsecured Obligation .  The obligation of the Company to make distributions  of amounts credited to the Participant's Deferred Account shall be a general obligation of the Company, and such distribution shall be made only from general assets and property of the Company in shares of common stock of the Company.  The Participant's relationship to the Company under the Plan shall be only that of a general unsecured creditor and neither this Plan, nor any agreement entered into hereunder, or action taken pursuant hereto shall create or be construed to create a trust for purposes of holding and investing the Deferred Account balances.  The Company reserves the right to establish such a trust, but such establishment shall not create any rights in or against any amounts held thereunder.
 
12.   Amendment or Termination .  The Board of Directors may amend this Plan at any time and from time to time.  The Board of Directors may terminate this Plan, to the extent such termination is permissible according to Treasury Regulations or other published guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service under Code Section 409A.  The time and form of a payment to a Participant under the Plan may be accelerated where the right to the payment arises due to a termination and liquidation of the Plan, in accordance with the provisions of Treas. Reg. §1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix) or any successor provisions thereto.  Any amendment or termination of this Plan will not adversely affect the rights of a Participant accrued prior thereto without that Participant's written consent, except to the extent required by law.
 
13.   Taxes .  The Company is not responsible for the tax consequences under federal, state or local law of any election made by any Participant under the Plan.  All payments under the Plan are subject to withholding and reporting requirements to the extent required by applicable law.
 
14.   No Right to Continued Membership on the Board .  Nothing in this Plan confers upon any Director any right to continue as a Director of the Company or interferes with the rights of the Company and its shareholders, which are hereby expressly reserved to remove any Director at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without cause.
 
15.   Applicable Law .  To the extent not preempted by federal law, this Plan shall be construed, administered and governed in all respects under and by the laws of the State of Illinois, without giving effect to its conflict of laws principles.  All references to statutory provisions and related regulatory provisions used herein shall include any similar or successor provisions.  The jurisdiction and venue for any disputes arising under, or any action brought to enforce (or otherwise relating to), this Plan shall be exclusively in the courts in the State of Illinois, County of Cook, including the Federal Courts located therein (should Federal jurisdiction exist).
 
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Plan to be executed by its ____________________________________ this _______ day of _______ 2008.
 
CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
 

 
By:                                                                               
 

 
 
4

 

EXHIBIT A
 

 
CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
 
DIRECTORS' DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN
 

 
(Adopted as of March 13, 2001 and Amended as of June 17, 2003)
 
 


 
 
5

Exhibit 10.33




The CORPORATE plan for Retirement SM
EXECUTIVE Plan




Adoption Agreement





IMPORTANT NOTE

This document has not been approved by the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or any other governmental entity.  An Employer must determine whether the plan is subject to the Federal securities laws and the securities laws of the various states.  An Employer may not rely on this document to ensure any particular tax consequences or to ensure that the Plan is "unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation to a select group of management or highly compensated employees" under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act with respect to the Employer's particular situation.  Fidelity Management Trust Company, its affiliates and employees cannot and do not provide legal or tax advice or opinions in connection with this document.  This document does not constitute legal or tax advice or opinions and is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purposes of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.  This document must be reviewed by the Employer’s attorney prior to adoption.

 
1

 

ADOPTION AGREEMENT
ARTICLE 1



1.01            PLAN INFORMATION

 
(a)
Name of Plan:

This is the Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (the "Plan").

 
(b)
Plan Status ( Check one.) :

 
(1)
Adoption Agreement effective date:   12/1/2008 .
 
 
(2)
The Adoption Agreement effective date is (Check (A) or check and complete (B)) :
 
 
(A)
¨
A new Plan effective date.
 
 
(B)
þ
An amendment and restatement of the Plan. The original effective date of the Plan was: 5/1/2000 .
 

(c)           Name of Administrator, if not the Employer:

 



1.02             EMPLOYER


                (a)           Employer Name:
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation


 
(b)
The term "Employer" includes the following Related Employer(s)
 
             (as defined in Section 2.01(a)(25)) participating in the Plan:

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________





 
2

 

1.03             COVERAGE

(Check (a) and/or (b).)

 
(a)
þ   The following Employees are eligible to participate in the Plan (Check (1) or (2)) :

 
(1)    þ
Only those Employees designated in writing by the Employer, which writing is hereby incorporated herein.
(2)    ¨                  Only those Employees in the eligible class described below:

____________________________________________________________
 
____________________________________________________________


 
(b)
¨   The following Directors are eligible to participate in the Plan (Check (1) or (2)) :

 
(1)    ¨
Only those Directors designated in writing by the Employer, which writing is hereby incorporated herein.
 
(2)    ¨        All Directors, effective as of the later of the date in 1.01(b) or the date the Director becomes a Director.

(Note:  A designation in Section 1.03(a)(1) or Section 1.03(b)(1) or a description in Section 1.03(a)(2) must include the effective date of such participation.)

1.04            COMPENSATION

(If Section 1.03(a) is selected, select (a) or (b). If Section 1.03(b) is selected, complete (c))

For purposes of determining all contributions under the Plan:

 
(a)
¨ Compensation shall be as defined, with respect to Employees, in the ________________ Plan maintained by the Employer:

 
(1)
¨
to the extent it is in excess of the limit imposed under Code section 401(a)(17).

 
(2)
¨
  notwithstanding the limit imposed under Code section 401(a)(17).


 
(b)
þ Compensation shall be as defined in Section 2.01(a)(9) with respect to Employees (Check (1), and/or (2) below, if, and as, appropriate) :

 
(1)
þ   but excluding the following:
                             a) Overtime Pay
                             b) Commissions
                             c) The value of a qualified or a non-qualified stock option granted to an Employee by the Employer to the extent such value is includable in the
                                 Employer's taxable income.
 
 
 
(2)
¨   but excluding bonuses, except those bonuses listed in the table in Section 1.05(a)(2).


 
(c)
¨ Compensation shall be as defined in Section 2.01(a)(9)(c) with respect to Directors, but  excluding the following:
 


3


1.05            CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF EMPLOYEES


 
(a)
Deferral Contributions (Complete all that apply):

 
(1)
¨
Deferral Contributions. Subject to any minimum or maximum deferral amount
provided below, the Employer shall make a Deferral Contribution in accordance
with, and subject to, Section 4.01 on behalf of each Participant who has an
executed salary reduction agreement in effect with the Employer for the
applicable calendar year (or portion of the applicable calendar year).

 
Deferral Contributions
Type of Compensation
Dollar Amount
% Amount
 
Min
Max
Min
Max
           
           
           


 (Note:  With respect to each type of Compensation, list the minimum and maximum dollar amounts or percentages as whole dollar amounts or whole number percentages.)

 
(2)
¨
Deferral Contributions with respect to Bonus Compensation only. The Employer requires Participants to enter into a special salary reduction agreement to make Deferral Contributions with respect to one or more Bonuses, subject to minimum and maximum deferral limitations, as provided in the table below.

Deferral Contributions
Type of Bonus
Treated As
Dollar Amount
% Amount
Performance Based
Non-Performance Based
Min
Max
Min
Max
             
             
             

(Note:  With respect to each type of Bonus, list the minimum and maximum dollar amounts or percentages as whole dollar amounts or whole number percentages.  In the event a bonus identified as a Performance-based Bonus above does not constitute a Performance-based Bonus with respect to any Participant, such Bonus will be treated as a Non-Performance-based Bonus with respect to such Participant.)


 
(b)
Matching Contributions (Choose (1) or (2) below, and (3) below, as applicable):

 
(1)
¨
The Employer shall make a Matching Contribution on behalf of each Employee Participant in an amount described below:

 
(A)   ¨
  % of the Employee Participant’s Deferral Contributions for the calendar year.

 
(B)   ¨
The amount, if any, declared by the Employer in writing, which writing is hereby incorporated herein.

 
 (C)   ¨
Other: _____________________________________________________


 
(2)
¨
Matching Contribution Offset. For each Employee Participant who has made elective contributions (as defined in 26 CFR section 1.401(k)-6 (“QP Deferrals”)) of the maximum permitted under Code section 402(g), or the maximum permitted under the terms of the ___________________________ Plan (the “QP”),  to the QP, the Employer shall make a Matching  Contribution in an amount equal to (A) minus (B) below:

 
(A)
The matching contributions (as defined in 26 CFR section 1.401(m)-1(a)(2) (“QP Match”)) that the Employee Participant would have received under the QP on the sum of the Deferral Contributions and the Participant’s QP Deferrals, determined as though—

·  
no limits otherwise imposed by the tax law applied to such QP match; and
·  
the Employee Participant’s Deferral Contributions had been made to the QP.


 
(B)
The QP Match actually made to such Employee Participant under the QP for the applicable calendar year.

Provided, however, that the Matching Contributions made on behalf of any Employee Participant pursuant to this Section 1.05(b)(2) shall be limited as provided in Section 4.02 hereof.
 
 
4


 
(3)           ¨  Matching Contribution Limits (Check the appropriate box (es)) :

 
(A)   ¨   Deferral Contributions in excess of   % of the Employee Participant’s Compensation for the calendar year shall not be considered for Matching Contributions.

 
(B)   ¨   Matching Contributions for each Employee Participant for each calendar year shall be limited to $   .

 
(c)
Employer Contributions

 
 (1) ¨      Fixed Employer Contributions. The Employer shall make an Employer Contribution on behalf of each Employee Participant in an amount determined as described below:

____________________________________________________________
 
____________________________________________________________

 
(2) þ      Discretionary Employer Contributions. The Employer may make Employer Contributions to the accounts of Employee Participants in any amount (which   amount may be zero), as determined by the Employer in its sole discretion from time   to time in a writing, which is hereby incorporated herein.


1.06             CONTRIBUTIONS ON BEHALF OF DIRECTORS

 
(a)
¨
Director Deferral Contributions

The Employer shall make a Deferral Contribution in accordance with, and subject to, Section 4.01 on behalf of each Director Participant who has an executed deferral agreement in effect with the Employer for the applicable calendar year (or portion of the applicable calendar year), which deferral agreement shall be subject to any minimum and/or maximum deferral amounts provided in the table below.
Deferral Contributions
Type of Compensation
Dollar Amount
% Amount
Min
Max
Min
Max
         
         
         

(Note:  With respect to each type of Compensation, list the minimum and maximum dollar amounts or percentages as whole dollar amounts or whole number percentages.)

(b)               Matching and Employer Contributions:

 
(1)   ¨    Matching Contributions. The Employer shall make a Matching Contribution on behalf of each Director Participant in an amount determined as described below:
____________________________________________________________
 
____________________________________________________________

 
(2)   ¨   Fixed Employer Contributions.   The Employer shall make an Employer Contribution on behalf of each Director Participant in an amount determined as described below:
____________________________________________________________
 
____________________________________________________________

 
(3)   ¨    Discretionary Employer Contributions. The Employer may make Employer Contributions to the accounts of Director Participants in any amount (which amount may be zero), as determined by the Employer in its sole discretion from time to time, in a writing, which is hereby incorporated herein.


5


1.07            DISTRIBUTIONS

The form and timing of distributions from the Participant’s vested Account shall be made consistent with the elections in this Section 1.07.

(a) (1)     Distribution options to be provided to Participants

 
 
(A)  Specified Date
 
 
(B)  Specified Age
 
 
(C)  Separation From Service
 
 
(D)  Earlier of Separation or Age
 
 
(E)  Earlier of Separation or Specified Date
 
 
(F)  Disability
 
 
(G)  Change in Control
 
 
(H)  Death
 
 
Deferral Contribution
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
 
Matching Contributions
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
 
Employer Contributions
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Lump Sum
 
¨ Installments


(Note:  If the Employer elects (F), (G), or (H)  above, the Employer must also elect (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) above, and the Participant must also elect (A), (B), (C), (D), or (E) above.  In the event the Employer elects only a single payment trigger and/or payment method above, then such single payment trigger and/or payment method shall automatically apply to the Participant.  If the employer elects to provide for payment upon a specified date or age, and the employer applies a vesting schedule to amounts that may be subject to such payment trigger(s), the employer must apply a minimum deferral period, the number of years of which must be greater than the number of years required for 100% vesting in any such amounts.  If the employer elects to provide for payment upon disability and/or death, and the employer applies a vesting schedule to amounts that may be subject to such payment trigger, the employer must also elect to apply 100% vesting in any such amounts upon disability and/or death.)

 
(2)
¨
A Participant incurs a Disability when the Participant (Check at least one if Section 1.07(a)(1)(F) or if Section 1.08(e)(3) is elected) :

 
(A)
¨
is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months.
 
(B)
¨
is, by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, receiving income replacement benefits for a period of not less than 3 months under an accident and health plan covering employees of the Employer.
 
(C)
¨
is determined to be totally disabled by the Social Security Administration or the Railroad Retirement Board.
 
(D)
¨
is determined to be disabled pursuant to the following disability insurance program:   the definition of disability under which complies with the requirements in regulations under Code section 409A.

(Note:  If more than one box above is checked, then the Participant will have a Disability if he satisfies at least one of the descriptions corresponding to one of such checked boxes.)

 
 (3)
þ    Regardless of any payment trigger and, as applicable, payment method, to which the Participant would otherwise be subject pursuant to (1) above, the first to occur of the following Plan-level payment triggers will cause payment to the Participant commencing pursuant to Section 1.07(c)(1) below in a lump sum, provided such Plan-level payment trigger occurs prior to the payment trigger to which the Participant would otherwise be subject.

Payment Trigger
 
 
(A)
¨
Separation from Service prior to:  ________________________________________
 
(B)
þ
Separation from Service
 
(C)
¨
Death
 
(D)
¨
Change in Control


6


(b)          Distribution Election Change

            A  Participant

 
(1) ¨
shall
 
(2) þ
shall not

be permitted to modify a scheduled distribution election in accordance with Section 8.01(b) hereof.

 
(c)
Commencement of Distributions

 
(1)
Each lump sum distribution and the first distribution in a series of installment payments (if applicable) shall commence as elected in (A), (B) or (C) below:

 
(A) þ
Monthly on the 1 st day of the month which day next follows the applicable triggering event described in 1.07(a).
 
(B) ¨
Quarterly on the _____ day of the following months ____________, ______________, _______________, or____________ (list one month in each calendar quarter) which day next follows the applicable triggering event described in 1.07(a).
 
(C) ¨
Annually on the _____ day of ____________ (month) which day next follows the applicable triggering event described in 1.07(a).

(Note:  Notwithstanding the above: a six-month delay shall be imposed with respect to certain distributions to Specified Employees; a Participant who chooses payment on a Specified Date will choose a month, year or quarter (as applicable) only, and payment will be made on the applicable date elected in (A), (B) or (C) above that falls within such month, year or quarter elected by the Participant.)

 
(2)
The commencement of distributions pursuant to the events elected in Section 1.07(a)(1) and Section 1.07(a)(3) shall be modified by application of the following:

 
(A) ¨
Separation from Service Event Delay – Separation from Service will be treated as not having occurred for     months after the date of such event.
 
 
(B) ¨
Plan Level Delay – all distribution events (other than those based on Specified Date or Specified Age) will be treated as not having occurred for _____ days (insert number of days but not more than 30).
 


(d)          Installment Frequency and Duration

If installments are available under the Plan pursuant to Section 1.07(a), a Participant shall be permitted to elect that the installments will be paid (Complete 1 and 2 below):

                        (1)             at the following intervals:

 
(A) ¨
Monthly commencing on the day elected in Section 1.07(c)(1).
 
(B) ¨
 
Quarterly commencing on the day elected in Section1.07(c)(1) (with payments made at three-month intervals thereafter).
 
(C) ¨
Annually commencing on the day elected in Section 1.07(c)(1).


 
(2)
over the following term(s) (Complete either (A) or (B)) :

 
(A) ¨
Any term of whole years between ____ (minimum of 1) and ____  (maximum of 30).
                                  (B) ¨                    Any of the whole year terms selected below.

¨   1
¨   2
¨   3
¨   4
¨   5
¨   6
¨   7
¨   8
¨   9
¨ 10
¨ 11
¨ 12
¨ 13
¨ 14
¨ 15
¨ 16
¨ 17
¨ 18
¨ 19
¨ 20
¨ 21
¨ 22
¨ 23
¨ 24
¨ 25
¨ 26
¨ 27
¨ 28
¨ 29
¨ 30

(Note:  Only elect a term of one year if Section 1.07(d)(1)(A) and/or Section 1.07(d)(1)(B) is elected above.)
 

 
7


(e)          Conversion to Lump Sum

 
¨
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary , if the Participant’s vested Account at the time such Account becomes payable to him hereunder does not exceed $   distribution of the Participant’s vested Account shall automatically be made in the form of a single lump sum at the time prescribed in Section 1.07(c)(1).
 
 
(f)
Distribution Rules Applicable to Pre-effective Date Accruals

 
¨
Benefits accrued under the Plan (subject to Code section 409A) prior to the date in Section 1.01(b)(1) above are subject to distribution rules not described in  Section 1.07(a) through (e), and such rules are described in Attachment A Re: PRE EFFECTIVE DATE ACCRUAL DISTRIBUTION RULES.


1.08             VESTING SCHEDULE

 
(a)
(1)
The Participant’s vested percentage in Matching Contributions elected in Section 1.05(b)
shall be based upon the following schedule and unless Section 1.08(a)(2) is checked
below will be based on the elapsed time method as described in Section 7.03(b).


(2)            £   Vesting shall be based on the class year method as described in Section 7.03(c).

(b)           (1)           The Participant’s vested percentage in Employer Contributions elected in Section 1.05(c)
shall be based upon the following schedule and unless Section 1.08(b)(2) is checked below will be based on the elapsed time  method as described in Section 7.03(b).

Years of Service
Vesting %
1
100


(2)            £   Vesting shall be based on the class year method as described in Section 7.03(c).

(c)            ¨   Years of Service shall exclude (Check one.) :

 
(1)   ¨
for new plans, service prior to the Effective Date as defined in Section 1.01(b)(2)(A).

 
(2)   ¨
for existing plans converting from another plan document, service prior to the original  Effective Date as defined in Section 1.01(b)(2)(B).

(Note:  Do not elect to apply this Section 1.08(c) if vesting is based only on the class year method.)


 
(d)
¨
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, a Participant will forfeit his Matching
Contributions and Employer Contributions (regardless of whether vested) upon the occurrence of the following event(s):
____________________________________________________________
 
____________________________________________________________

(Note: Contributions with respect to Directors, which are 100% vested at all times, are subject to the rule in this subsection (d).)

 
(e)
A Participant will be 100% vested in his Matching Contributions and Employer Contributions upon (Check the appropriate box(es)) :
 
                               (1) ¨                       Retirement eligibility is the date the Participant attains age 0 and completes
0 Years of Service, as defined in Section 7.03(b).
 
 
                               (2) o    Death     
 
(3) ¨
The date on which the Participant becomes disabled, as determined under Section 1.07(a)(2).

(Note:  Participants will automatically vest upon Change in Control if Section 1.07(a)(1)(G) is elected.)

 
(f)
¨
Years of Service in Section 1.08 (a)(1) and Section 1.08 (b)(1) shall include service with the following employers:
_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

 
8


 
1.09             INVESTMENT DECISIONS

A Participant’s Account shall be treated as invested in the Permissible Investments as directed by the Participant unless otherwise provided below:

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________



1.10             ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

The Employer may elect Option below and complete the Superseding Provisions Addendum to describe overriding provisions that are not otherwise reflected in this Adoption Agreement.

 
þ
The Employer has completed the Superseding Provisions Addendum to reflect the provisions of the Plan that supersede provisions of this Adoption Agreement and/or the Basic Plan Document.
 

 
9

 

EXECUTION PAGE
(Fidelity’s Copy)



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has caused this Adoption Agreement to be executed this ________day of _______________, 20_______.


Employer                      


By                      


Title                      







 
10

 

EXECUTION PAGE
(Employer's Copy)



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has caused this Adoption Agreement to be executed this ________day of _______________, 20______.


Employer                      


By                      


Title                      




 
11

 

 AMENDMENT EXECUTION PAGE
(Fidelity’s Copy)


Plan Name:
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (the “Plan”)
Employer:
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

(Note: These execution pages are to be completed in the event the Employer modifies any prior election(s) or makes a new election(s) in this Adoption Agreement.  Attach the amended page(s) of the Adoption Agreement to these execution pages.)

The following section(s) of the Plan are hereby amended effective as of the date(s) set forth below:

 
Section Amended
 
Effective Date
   
   
   
   


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has caused this Amendment to be executed on the date below.

 
Employer:
 

 
By:
 

 
Title:
 

 
Date:
 




 
12

 

 AMENDMENT EXECUTION PAGE
(Employer’s Copy)


Plan Name:
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (the “Plan”)
Employer:
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

(Note: These execution pages are to be completed in the event the Employer modifies any prior election(s) or makes a new election(s) in this Adoption Agreement. Attach the amended page(s) of the Adoption Agreement to these execution pages.)

 
Section Amended
 
Effective Date
   
   
   
   



IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Employer has caused this Amendment to be executed on the date below.


 
Employer:
 

 
By:
 

 
Title:
 

 
Date:
 


 
13

 

 
 ATTACHMENT A

 
Re:   PRE EFFECTIVE DATE ACCRUAL DISTRIBUTION RULES


Plan Name:
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (the “Plan”)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 
14

 

ATTACHMENT B

Re:  SUPERSEDING PROVISIONS
for
Plan Name:
Cabot Microelectronics Corporation Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan (the “Plan”)

 
 
(a)
Superseding Provision(s) – The following provisions supersede other provisions of this Adoption Agreement and/or the Basic Plan Document as described below:
 
1.05  The employer shall make a Deferral Contribution in accordance with section 4.01 on behalf of each participant who has an executed salary reduction agreement in effect with the employer for the Plan Year (or portion of the Plan Year) in question, not to exceed 4% of compensation for that Plan Year.
 
 
 
15
Exhibit 10.51
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT LETTER AGREEMENT
 
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT LETTER AGREEMENT ("Amendment") is entered into this ______ day of ______________ 2008, by and between William P. Noglows (the "Executive") and Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the "Company") and provides as follows:

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company entered into an Offer of Employment Letter Agreement dated November 2, 2003 ("Letter Agreement"); and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Letter Agreement to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") as set forth in this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree that a new Section 17 is hereby added to the Letter Agreement as follows:

 
"17.
Section 409A of the Code.  This offer letter is intended to comply with Code Section 409A and the interpretive guidance thereunder, including the exceptions for separation pay arrangements, short-term deferrals, reimbursements, and in-kind distributions, and shall be administered accordingly.  The offer letter shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.

For purposes of clarity, the severance payments provided under Section 7 hereof are intended to satisfy the separation pay arrangement exception under Code Section 409A and, to the extent such exception is satisfied, no six-month delay (as set forth below) shall be required.

However, notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if you would be entitled to a payment that is not excluded from Code Section 409A under the exceptions for separation pay arrangements, short-term deferrals, reimbursements, in-kind distributions, or an otherwise applicable exemption, the payment(s) will be accumulated and paid to you on the first day of the seventh month following you termination or, if earlier, on your death to your estate.

The right to the series of installment payments hereunder is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)."

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Amendment effective as of the date first above written.

WILLIAM P. NOGLOWS
CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION


By                                                      
William P. Noglows
Title                                                      
 


Exhibit 10.52
FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE
EMPLOYMENT OFFER LETTER AGREEMENT
 
THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT OFFER LETTER AGREEMENT ("Amendment") is entered into this ______ day of ______________ 2008, by and between Clifford L. Spiro (the "Executive") and Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the "Company") and provides as follows:

WHEREAS, the Executive and the Company entered into an employment offer letter agreement dated November 17, 2003 ("Letter Agreement"); and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to amend the Letter Agreement to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") as set forth in this Amendment.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and intending to be legally bound, the parties agree that a new Section 17 is hereby added to the Letter Agreement as follows:

 
"17.
Section 409A of the Code.  This offer letter is intended to comply with Code Section 409A and the interpretive guidance thereunder, including the exceptions for separation pay arrangements, short-term deferrals, reimbursements, and in-kind distributions, and shall be administered accordingly.  The offer letter shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent.

For purposes of clarity, the severance payments provided under the paragraph headed “Severance” hereof are intended to satisfy the separation pay arrangement exception under Code Section 409A and, to the extent such exception is satisfied, no six-month delay (as set forth below) shall be required.

However, notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, if you would be entitled to a payment that is not excluded from Code Section 409A under the exceptions for separation pay arrangements, short-term deferrals, reimbursements, in-kind distributions, or an otherwise applicable exemption, the payment(s) will be accumulated and paid to you on the first day of the seventh month following you termination or, if earlier, on your death to your estate.

The right to the series of installment payments hereunder is to be treated as a right to a series of separate payments in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii)."

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Amendment effective as of the date first above written.

CLIFFORD L. SPIRO
CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION


By                                                      
Clifford L. Spiro
Title                      


Exhibit 10.53






The CORPORATE plan for Retirement SM
EXECUTIVE Plan

BASIC PLAN DOCUMENT






IMPORTANT NOTE

This document has not been approved by the Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service or any other governmental entity.  The Employer must determine whether the plan is subject to the Federal securities laws and the securities laws of the various states.  The Employer may not rely on this document to ensure any particular tax consequences or to ensure that the Plan is "unfunded and maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred compensation to a select group of management or highly compensated employees" under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act with respect to the Employer's particular situation.  Fidelity Management Trust Company, its affiliates and employees cannot and do not provide legal or tax advice or opinions in connection with this document.  This document does not constitute legal or tax advice or opinions and is not intended or written to be used, and it cannot be used by any taxpayer, for the purposes of avoiding penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer.  This document must be reviewed by the Employer’s attorney prior to adoption.

(07/2007)                                                                                      ECM NQ 2007 BPD
©  2007 Fidelity Management & Research Company

 
1

 
Exhibit 10.53

CORPORATEplan for Retirement EXECUTIVE
BASIC PLAN DOCUMENT

ARTICLE 1
ADOPTION AGREEMENT

ARTICLE 2
DEFINITIONS

2.01 - Definitions

ARTICLE 3
     PARTICIPATION

3.01 - Date of Participation
3.02 - Participation Following a Change in Status


ARTICLE 4
CONTRIBUTIONS

4.01 - Deferral Contributions
4.02 - Matching Contributions
4.03 - Employer Contributions
4.04 - Election Forms

ARTICLE 5
PARTICIPANTS' ACCOUNTS

ARTICLE 6
INVESTMENT OF ACCOUNTS

6.01 - Manner of Investment
6.02 - Investment Decisions, Earnings and Expenses

ARTICLE 7
RIGHT TO BENEFITS

7.01 - Retirement
7.02 - Death
7.03 - Separation from Service
7.04 - Vesting after Partial Distribution
7.05 - Forfeitures
7.06 - Change in Control
7.07 - Disability
7.08 - Directors

ARTICLE 8
DISTRIBUTION OF BENEFITS

8.01 – Events Triggering and Form of Distributions
8.02 - Notice to Trustee
8.03 – Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawals

ARTICLE 9
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

9.01 - Amendment by Employer
9.02 - Termination

ARTICLE 10
MISCELLANEOUS

10.01 - Communication to Participants
10.02 - Limitation of Rights
10.03 - Nonalienability of Benefits
10.04 - Facility of Payment
10.05 – Plan Records
10.06 - USERRA
10.07 - Governing Law

ARTICLE 11
PLAN ADMINISTRATION

11.01 - Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator
11.02 - Claims and Review Procedures

 
 
2

 

PREAMBLE


It is the intention of the Employer to establish herein an unfunded plan maintained solely for the purpose of providing deferred compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees as provided in ERISA.  The Employer further intends that this Plan comply with Code section 409A, and the Plan is to be construed accordingly.

If the Employer has previously maintained the Plan described herein pursuant to a previously existing plan document or description, the Employer’s adoption of this Plan document is an amendment and complete restatement of, and supersedes, such previously existing document or description with respect to benefits accrued or to be paid on or after the effective date of this document (except to the extent expressly provided otherwise herein).



Article 1.   Adoption Agreement .


Article 2.   Definitions .


2.01.   Definitions .

(a)           Wherever used herein, the following terms have the meanings set forth below, unless a different meaning is clearly required by the context:

 
(1)  "Account" means an account established on the books of the Employer for the purpose of recording amounts credited to a Participant and any income, expenses, gains, or losses attributable thereto.

(2)  
“Active Participant” means a Participant who is eligible to accrue benefits under a plan (other than earnings on amounts previously deferred) within the 24-month period ending on the date the Participant becomes a Participant under Section 3.01.  Notwithstanding the above, however, a Participant is not an Active Participant if he has been paid all amounts deferred under the plan, provided that he was, on and before the date of the last payment, ineligible to continue or to elect to continue to participate in the plan for periods after such last payment (other than through an election of a different time and form of payment with respect to the amounts paid).

(A)  
For purposes of Section 4.01(d), as used in the first paragraph of the definition of “Active Participant” above, “plan” means an account balance plan (or portion thereof) of the Employer or a Related Employer subject to Code section 409A pursuant to which the Participant is eligible to accrue benefits only if the Participant elects to defer compensation thereunder, and the “date the Participant becomes a Participant under Section 3.01” refers only to the date the Participant becomes a Participant with respect to Deferral Contributions.

(B)  
For purposes of Section 8.01(a)(2), as used in the first paragraph of the definition of “Active Participant” above, “plan” means an account balance plan (or portion thereof) of the Employer or a Related Employer subject to Code section 409A pursuant to which the Participant is eligible to accrue benefits without any election by the Participant to defer compensation thereunder, and the “date the Participant becomes a Participant under Section 3.01” refers only to the date the Participant becomes a Participant with respect to Matching or Employer Contributions.

 
(3)  "Administrator" means the Employer adopting this Plan (but excluding Related Employers) or other person designated by the Employer in Section 1.01(c).

 
(4)  "Adoption Agreement" means Article 1, under which the Employer establishes and adopts or amends the Plan and selects certain provisions of the Plan.  The provisions of the Adoption Agreement are an integral part of the Plan.

 
(5)  "Beneficiary" means the person or persons entitled under Section 7.02 to receive benefits under the Plan upon the death of a Participant.

 
(6)  “Bonus” means any Performance-based Bonus or any Non-performance-based Bonus as listed and identified in the table in Section 1.05(a)(2) hereof.

 
(7)   “Change in Control” means a change in control with respect to the applicable corporation, as defined in 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(i)(5).  For purposes of this definition “applicable corporation” means:

(A)  
The corporation for which the Participant is performing services at the time of the change in control event;

(B)  
The corporation(s) liable for payment hereunder (but only if either the accrued benefit hereunder is attributable to the performance of service by the Participant for such corporation(s) or there is a bona fide business purpose for such corporation(s) to be liable for such payment and, in either case, no significant purpose of making such corporation(s) liable for such benefit is the avoidance of Federal income tax); or

(C)  
A corporate majority shareholder of one of the corporations described in (A) or (B) above or any corporation in a chain of corporations in which each corporation is a majority shareholder of another corporation in the chain, ending in a corporation identified in (A) or (B) above.

 
(8)    "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

 
(9)    "Compensation" means for purposes of Article 4:

 
(A)  If the Employer elects Section 1.04(a), such term as defined in such Section 1.04(a).

(B)  
If the Employer elects Section 1.04(b), wages as defined in Code section 3401(a) and all other payments of compensation to an Employee by the Employer (in the course of the Employer’s trade or business) for which the Employer is required to furnish the Employee a written statement under Code sections 6041(d) and 6051(a)(3), excluding any items elected by the Employer in Section 1.04(b), reimbursements or other expense allowances, fringe benefits (cash and non-cash), moving expenses, deferred compensation and welfare benefits, but including amounts that are not includable in the gross income of the Employee under a salary reduction agreement by reason of the application of Code section 125, 132(f)(4), 402(e)(3), 402(h) or 403(b).  Compensation shall be determined without regard to any rules under Code section 3401(a) that limit the remuneration included in wages based on the nature or location of the employment or the services performed (such as the exception for agricultural labor in Code section 3401(a)(2)).

 
(C)  
If the Employer elects Section 1.04(c), any and all monetary remuneration paid to the Director by the Employer, including, but not limited to, meeting fees and annual retainers, and excluding items listed in Section 1.04(c).

For purposes of this Section 2.01(a)(9), Compensation shall also include amounts deferred pursuant to an election under Section 4.01.
 
 
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(10)   “Deferral Contribution” means a hypothetical contribution credited to a Participant’s Account as the result of the Participant’s election to reduce his Compensation in exchange for such credit, as described in Section 4.01.

 
(11)  “Director” means a person, other than an Employee, who is elected or appointed as a member of the board of directors of the Employer, with respect to a corporation, or to an analogous position with respect to an entity that is not a corporation.

(12)  “Disability” is described in Section 1.07(a)(2).

 
(13)  "Employee" means any employee of the Employer.

 
(14)  "Employer" means the employer named in Section 1.02(a) and any Related Employers listed in Section 1.02(b).

(15)  “Employer Contribution” means a hypothetical contribution credited to a Participant’s Account under the Plan as a result of the Employer’s crediting of such amount, as described in Section 4.03.

(16) "Employment Commencement Date" means the date on which the Employee commences employment with the Employer.

 
(17)  "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as from time to time amended.

 
(18)   “Inactive Participant” means a Participant who is not an Employee or Director.

(19)   “Matching Contribution” means a hypothetical contribution credited to a Participant’s Account under the Plan as a result of the Employer’s crediting of such amount, as described in Section 4.02.

(20)  “Non-performance-based Bonus” means any Bonus listed under the column entitled “non-performance based” in Section 1.05(a)(2).

 (21)  "Participant" means any Employee or Director who participates in the Plan in accordance with Article 3 (or formerly participated in the Plan and has an amount credited to his Account).

(22)  “Performance-based Bonus” means any Bonus listed under the column entitled “performance based” in Section 1.05(a)(2), which constitutes compensation, the amount of, or entitlement to, which is contingent on the satisfaction of pre-established organizational or individual performance criteria relating to a performance period of at least 12 consecutive months and which is further defined in 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(e).

(23)  "Permissible Investment" means the investments specified by the Employer as available for hypothetical investment of Accounts.  The Permissible Investments under the Plan are listed in the Service Agreement, and the provisions of the Service Agreement listing the Permissible Investments are hereby incorporated herein.

(24)  "Plan" means the plan established by the Employer as set forth herein as a new plan or as an amendment to an existing plan, such establishment to be evidenced by the Employer’s execution of the Adoption Agreement, together with any and all amendments hereto.

(25)  "Related Employer" means any employer other than the Employer named in Section 1.02(a), if the Employer and such other employer are members of a controlled group of corporations (as defined in Code section 414(b)) or trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control (as defined in Code section 414(c)).

(26)  “Separation from Service” means the date the Participant retires or otherwise has a termination of employment (or a termination of the contract pursuant to which the Participant has provided services as a Director, for a Director Participant) with the Employer and all Related Employers, as further defined in 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(h); provided, however, that

(A)         For purposes of this paragraph (26), the definition of “Related Employer” shall be modified as follows:

(i)         In applying Code section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3) for purposes of determining a controlled group of corporations under Code section 414(b), the phrase “at least 50%” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” each place “at least 80 percent” appears in Code section 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3); and

(ii)         In applying 26 CFR section 1.414(c)-2 for purposes of determining trades or business (whether or not incorporated) under common control for purposes of Code section 414(c), the phrase “at least 50%” shall be used instead of “at least 80 percent” each place “at least 80 percent” appears in 26 CFR section 1.414(c)-2.

(B)         In the event a Participant provides services to the Employer or a Related Employer as an Employee and a Director,
 
                       (i)   The Employee Participant’s services as a Director are not taken into account in determining whether the Participant has a Separation from Service as an Employee; and

 (ii) The Director Participant’s services as an Employee are not taken into account in determining whether the Participant has a Separation from Service as a Director

provided that this Plan is not aggregated with a plan subject to Code section 409A in which the Director Participant participates as an employee of the Employer or a Related Employer or in which the Employee Participant participates as a director (or a similar position with respect to a non-corporate entity) of the Employer or a Related Employer, as applicable, pursuant to 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(c)(2)(ii).

(27)  “Service Agreement” means the agreement between the Employer and Trustee regarding the arrangement between the parties for recordkeeping services with respect to the Plan.

(28)  “Specified Employee,” (unless defined by the Employer in a separate writing, in which case such writing is hereby incorporated herein) means a Participant who meets the requirements in 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(i) applying the default definition components provided in such regulation (those that would apply absent elections, as described in 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(i)(8)), including an identification date of December 31.  In the event that such default definition components are applicable, the Employer has elected Section 1.01(b)(2) and, immediately prior to the date in Section 1.01(b)(2), the Plan applied an identification date (the “prior date”) other than the December 31, the prior date shall continue to apply, and December 31 shall not apply, until the date that is 12 months after the date in Section 1.01(b)(2).


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(29)  "Trust" means the trust created by the Employer, pursuant to the Trust agreement between the Employer and the Trustee, under which assets are held, administered, and managed, subject to the claims of the Employer's creditors in the event of the Employer's insolvency, until paid to Participants and their Beneficiaries as specified in the Plan.

(30)  "Trust Fund" means the property held in the Trust by the Trustee.

(31)  "Trustee" means the individual(s) or entity appointed by the Employer under the Trust agreement.

(32)  “Unforeseeable Emergency” is as defined in 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(i)(3)(i).

(33)  “Year of Service” is as defined in Section 7.03(b) for purposes of the elapsed time method and in Section 7.03(c) for purposes of the class year method.

(b)            Pronouns used in the Plan are in the masculine gender but include the feminine gender unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.


Article 3.   Participation .

3.01.   Date of Participation .   An Employee or Director becomes a Participant on the date such Employee’s or Director’s participation becomes effective (as described in Section 1.03).

3.02.  
Participation following a Change in Status .

(a)   If a Participant ceases to be an Employee or Director and thereafter resumes the same status he had as a Participant during his immediately previous participation in the Plan (as an Employee if previously a Participant as an Employee and as a Director if previously a Participant as a Director), he will again become a Participant immediately upon resumption of such status, provided, however, that if such Participant is a Director, he is an eligible Director upon resumption of such status (as defined in Section 1.03(b)), and provided, further, that if such Participant is an Employee, he is an eligible Employee upon resumption of such status (as defined in Section 1.03(a)).  Deferral Contributions to such Participant’s Account thereafter, if any, shall be subject to (1) or (2) below.

(1) If the Participant resumes such status during a period for which such Participant had previously made a valid deferral election pursuant to Section 4.01, he shall immediately resume such Deferral Contributions.  Deferral Contributions applicable to periods thereafter shall be made pursuant to the election and other rules described in Section 4.01.

(2) If the Participant resumes such status after the period described in the first sentence of paragraph (1) of this Section 3.02, any Deferral Contributions with respect to such Participant shall be made pursuant to the election and other rules described in Section 4.01.

(b) When an individual who is a Participant due to his status as an eligible Employee (as defined in Section 1.03(a)) continues in the employ of the Employer or Related Employer but ceases to be an eligible Employee, the individual shall not receive an allocation of Matching or Employer Contributions for the period during which he is not an eligible Employee.  Such Participant shall continue to make Deferral Contributions throughout the remainder of the applicable period (as described in Section 4.01) in which such change in status occurs, if, and as, applicable.

 
(c) When an individual who is a Participant due to his status as an eligible Director (as defined in Section 1.03(b)) continues his directorship with the Employer or a Related Employer but ceases to be an eligible Director, the individual shall not receive an allocation of Matching or Employer Contributions for the period during which he is not an eligible Director.  Such Participant shall continue to make Deferral Contributions throughout the remainder of the applicable period (as described in Section 4.01) in which such change in status occurs, if, and as, applicable.


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Article 4.   Contributions .

4.  
01   Deferral Contributions .   If elected by the Employer pursuant to Section 1.05(a) and/or 1.06(a), a Participant described in such applicable Section may elect to reduce his Compensation by a specified percentage or dollar amount.  The Employer shall credit an amount to the Participant’s Account equal to the amount of such reduction.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4.01, such election shall be effective to defer Compensation relating to all services performed in the calendar year beginning after the calendar year in which the Participant executes the election.  Under no circumstances may a salary reduction agreement be adopted retroactively.  If the Employer has elected to apply Section 1.05(a)(2), no amount will be deducted from Bonuses unless the Participant has made a separate deferral election applicable to such Bonuses.  A Participant’s election to defer Compensation may be changed at any time before the last permissible date for making such election, at which time such election becomes irrevocable.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the conditions under which a Participant may make a deferral election as provided in the applicable salary reduction agreement are hereby incorporated herein and supersede any otherwise inconsistent Plan provision.

(a)   
Performance Based Bonus .   With respect to a Performance-based Bonus, a separate election made pursuant to Section 1.05(a)(2) will be effective to defer such Bonus if made no later than 6 months before the end of the period during which the services on which such Performance-based Bonus is based are performed.

(b)   
Fiscal Year Bonus . With respect to a Bonus relating to a period of service coextensive with one or more consecutive fiscal years of the Employer, of which no amount is paid or payable during the service period, a separate election pursuant to Section 1.05(a)(2) will be effective to defer such Bonus if made no later than the close of the Employer’s fiscal year next preceding the first fiscal year in which the Participant performs any services for which such Bonus is payable.

(c)   
Cancellation of Salary Reduction Agreement .

(1)   The Administrator may cancel a Participant’s salary reduction agreement pursuant to the provisions of 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(viii) in connection with the Participant’s Unforeseeable Emergency.  To the extent required pursuant to the application of 26 CFR section 1.401(k)-1(d)(3) (or any successor thereto), a Participant’s salary reduction agreement shall be automatically cancelled.

(2)   The Administrator may cancel a Participant’s salary reduction agreement pursuant to the provisions of 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(xii) in connection with the Participant’s disability.  Such cancellation must occur by the later of the end of the Participant’s taxable year or the 15 th day of the third month following the date the Participant incurs a disability.  For purposes of this paragraph (2), a disability is any medically determinable physical or mental impairment resulting in the Participant’s inability to perform the duties of his or her position or any substantially similar position, where such impairment can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than six months.


In no event may the Participant, directly or indirectly, elect such a cancellation.  A cancellation pursuant to this subsection (c) shall apply only to Compensation not yet earned.

             (d)
Initial Deferral Election .    Notwithstanding the above, if the Participant is not an Active Participant, the Participant may make an election to defer Compensation within 30 days after the Participant becomes a Participant, which election shall be effective with respect to Compensation payable for services performed during the calendar year (or other deferral period described in (a) or (b) above, as applicable) and after the date of such election.  For Compensation that is earned based upon a specified performance period (e.g., an annual bonus) an election pursuant to this subsection (d) will be effective to defer an amount equal to the total amount of the Compensation for the performance period multiplied by the ratio of the number of days remaining in the performance period after the election over the total number of days in the performance period.

4.02.   Matching Contributions .   If so provided by the Employer in Section 1.05(b) and/or 1.06(b)(1), the Employer shall credit a Matching Contribution to the Account of each Participant entitled to such Matching Contribution.  The amount of the Matching Contribution shall be determined in accordance with Section 1.05(b) and/or 1.06(b)(1), as applicable, provided, however, that the Matching Contributions credited to the Account of a Participant pursuant to Section 1.05(b)(2) shall be limited pursuant to (a) and (b) below:

(a) The sum of Matching Contributions made on behalf of a Participant pursuant to Section 1.05(b)(2) for any calendar year and any other benefits the Participant accrues pursuant to another plan subject to Code section 409A as a result of such Participant’s action or inaction under a qualified plan with respect to elective deferrals and other employee pre-tax contributions subject to the contribution restrictions under Code section 401(a)(30) or 402(g) shall not result in an increase in the amounts deferred under all plans subject to Code section 409A in which the Participant participates in excess of the limit with respect to elective deferrals under Code section 402(g)(1)(A), (B) and (C) in effect for the calendar year in which such action or inaction occurs; and

(b) The Matching Contributions made on behalf of a Participant pursuant to Section 1.05(b)(2) shall never exceed 100% of the matching amounts that would be provided under the qualified employer plan identified in Section 1.05(b)(2) absent any plan-based restrictions that reflect limits on qualified plan contributions under the Code.

4.03. Employer Contributions.   If so provided by the Employer in Section 1.05(c)(1) and/or 1.06(b)(2), the Employer shall make an Employer Contribution to be credited to the Account of each Participant entitled thereto in the amount provided in such Section(s).  If so provided by the Employer in Section 1.05(c)(2) and/or 1.06(b)(3), the Employer may make an Employer Contribution to be credited to the Account maintained on behalf of any Participant in such an amount as the Employer, in its sole discretion, shall determine, subject to the provisions of the applicable Section.

4.04. Election Forms.   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the terms of an election form with respect to the conditions under which a Participant may make any election hereunder, as provided in such form (whether electronic or otherwise) are hereby incorporated herein and supersede any otherwise inconsistent Plan provision.

Article 5.   Participants' Accounts .   The Administrator will maintain an Account for each Participant, reflecting hypothetical contributions credited to the Participant, along with hypothetical earnings, expenses, gains and losses, pursuant to the terms hereof.  A hypothetical contribution shall be credited to the Account of a Participant on the date determined by the Employer and accepted by the Plan recordkeeper.  The Administrator will maintain such other accounts and records as it deems appropriate to the discharge of its duties under the Plan.


Article 6.   Investment of Accounts .

6.01.   Manner of Investment .   All amounts credited to the Accounts of Participants shall be treated as though invested and reinvested only in Permissible Investments.

6.02.    Investment Decisions, Earnings and Expenses .   Investments in which the Accounts of Participants shall be treated as invested and reinvested shall be directed by the Employer or by each Participant, or both, in accordance with Section 1.09.  All dividends, interest, gains, and distributions of any nature that would be earned on a Permissible Investment will be credited to the Account as though reinvested in additional shares of that Permissible Investment.Expenses that would be attributable to such investments shall be charged to the Account of the Participant.

 
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Article 7.    Right to Benefits .

7.01.   Retirement .   If provided by the Employer in Section 1.08(e)(1), the Account of a Participant or an Inactive Participant who attains retirement eligibility prior to a Separation from Service will be 100% vested.

7.02.   Death .   If provided by the Employer in Section 1.08(e)(2), the Account of a Participant or former Participant who dies before the distribution of his entire Account will be 100% vested, provided that at the time of his death he is earning Years of Service.

A Participant may designate a Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, or change any prior designation of Beneficiary or Beneficiaries, by giving notice to the Administrator on a form designated by the Administrator.  If more than one person is designated as the Beneficiary, their respective interests shall be as indicated on the designation form.

A copy of the death certificate or other sufficient documentation must be filed with and approved by the Administrator.  If upon the death of the Participant there is, in the opinion of the Administrator, no designated Beneficiary for part or all of the Participant's Account, such amount will be paid to his surviving spouse or, if none, to his estate (such spouse or estate shall be deemed to be the Beneficiary for purposes of the Plan).  If a Beneficiary dies after benefits to such Beneficiary have commenced, but before they have been completed, and, in the opinion of the Administrator, no person has been designated to receive such remaining benefits, then such benefits shall be paid to the deceased Beneficiary's estate.

A distribution to a Beneficiary of a Specified Employee is not considered to be a payment to a Specified Employee for purposes of Sections 1.07 and 8.01(e).

7.03.   Separation from Service .

 
(a)   General.   If provided by the Employer in Section 1.08, and subject to Section 1.08(e)(2), if a Participant has a Separation from Service, he will be entitled to a benefit equal to (i) the vested percentage(s) of the value of the Matching and Employer Contributions credited to his Account, as adjusted for income, expense, gain, or loss, such percentage(s) determined in accordance with the vesting schedule(s) and methodology selected by the Employer in Section 1.08, and (ii) the value of the Deferral Contributions to his Account as adjusted for income, expense, gain, or loss.  The amount payable under this Section 7.03 will be distributed in accordance with Article 8.






 
(b)   Elapsed Time Vesting.    Unless otherwise provided by the Employer in Section 1.08, vesting shall be determined based on the elapsed time method.  For purposes of the elapsed time method, "Years of Service" means, with respect to any Participant or Inactive Participant, the number of whole years of his periods of service with the Employer and any Related Employers (as defined in Section 2.01(a)(26)(A)), subject to any exclusion elected by the Employer in Section 1.08(c).  A Participant or Inactive Participant will receive credit for the aggregate of all time period(s) commencing with his Employment Commencement Date and ending on the date a break in service begins, unless any such years are excluded by Section 1.08(c).  A Participant or Inactive Participant will also receive credit for any period of severance of less than 12 consecutive months.  Fractional periods of a year will be expressed in terms of days.

A break in service is a period of severance of at least 12 consecutive months.  A “period of severance” is a continuous period of time beginning on the date the Participant or Inactive Participant incurs a Separation from Service, or if earlier, the 12-month anniversary of the date on which the Participant or Inactive Participant was otherwise first absent from service.

Notwithstanding the above, the Employer shall comply with any service crediting rules to the extent required by applicable law.

 
(c)   Class Year Vesting.   If provided by the Employer in Section 1.08, a Participant’s or Inactive Participant’s vested percentage in the Matching Contributions and/or Employer Contributions portion(s) of his Account shall be determined pursuant to the class year method.  Pursuant to such method, amounts attributable to the applicable contribution types are assigned to “class years” established in the records of the Plan.  Such class years are years (calendar or non-calendar) to which the contribution is assigned by the Administrator, as described in the Service Agreement between the Trustee and the Employer.  The Participant’s or Inactive Participant’s vested percentage in amounts attributable to a particular contribution is determined from the beginning of the applicable class year to the date the Participant or Inactive Participant incurs a Separation from Service.  For purposes of the class year method, a Participant or Inactive Participant is credited with a Year of Service on the first day of each such class year.

7.04.   Vesting after Partial Distribution .   If a distribution from a Participant's Account has been made to him at a time when his Account is less than 100% vested, the vesting schedule in Section 1.08 will thereafter apply only to amounts in his Account attributable to Matching Contributions and Employer Contributions credited after such distribution.  The balance of his Account attributable to Matching Contributions and Employer Contributions immediately after such distribution will be subject to the following for the purpose of determining his interest therein.

At any relevant time prior to a forfeiture of any portion thereof under Section 7.05, a Participant's nonforfeitable interest in the portion of his Account described in the sentence immediately above will be equal to P(AB + (RxD))-(RxD), where P is the nonforfeitable percentage at the relevant time determined under Section 1.08; AB is the account balance of such portion at the relevant time; D is the amount of the distribution; and R is the ratio of the account balance of such portion at the relevant time to the account balance of such portion after distribution.  Following a forfeiture of any portion of such portion under Section 7.05 below, any balance with respect to such portion will remain fully vested and nonforfeitable.

7.05.   Forfeitures .   Once payments are to commence to a Participant or Inactive Participant hereunder, the portion of such Account subject to the same payment commencement date but not yet vested, if any, (determined by his vested percentage at such payment commencement date) will be forfeited by him

7.06.   Change in Control .   If the Employer has elected to apply Section 1.07(a)(3)(D), then, upon a Change in Control, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, all Participant Accounts shall be 100% vested.

7.07.   Disability .   If the Employer has elected to apply Section 1.08(e)(3), then, upon the date a Participant incurs a Disability, as defined in Section 1.07(a)(2), notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, all Accounts of such Participant shall be 100% vested.

7.08.   Directors .   Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, all Accounts of a Participant who is a Director shall be 100% vested at all times, including Accounts attributable to the Participant’s service as an Employee, if any.

 
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Article 8.   Distribution of Benefits .

8.01 Events Triggering, and Form of, Distributions .

(a)  
Events triggering the distribution of benefits and the form of such distributions are described in Section 1.07(a), pursuant to the Employer’s election and/or the Participant’s election, as applicable.

(1)  
With respect to the form and time of distribution of amounts attributable to a Deferral Contribution, a Participant election must be made no later than the time by which the Participant must elect to make a Deferral Contribution, as described in Section 4.01.

(2)  
With respect to the form and time of distribution of amounts attributable to Matching or Employer Contributions, a Participant election must be made no later than the time by which a Participant would be required to make a Deferral Contribution as described in Section 4.01 with respect to the calendar year for which the Matching and/or Employer Contributions are credited.  For purposes of applying Section 4.01(d) “Active Participant” shall have the meaning assigned in Section 2.01(a)(2)(B).

(3)  
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, an election choosing a distribution trigger and payment method pursuant to Section 1.07(a)(1) will only be effective with respect to amounts attributable to contributions credited to the Participant’s Account for the calendar year (or other deferral period described in 4.01(a) or (b)) to which such election relates.  Amounts attributable to contributions credited to a Participant's account prior to the effective date of any new election will not be affected and will be paid in accordance with the otherwise applicable election.

 
(b)
If the Employer elects to permit a distribution election change pursuant to Section 1.07(b), then any such distribution election change must satisfy (1) through (3) below:

 
(1)  Such election may not take effect until at least 12 months after the date on which such election is made.

 
(2)  In the case of an election related to a payment not on account of Disability, death or the occurrence of an Unforeseeable Emergency, the payment with respect to which such election is made must be deferred for a period of not less than five years from the date such payment would otherwise have been paid (or in the case of installment payments, five years from the date the first amount was scheduled to be paid).

 
 
(3)  Any election related to a payment at a specified time or pursuant to a fixed schedule may not be made less than 12 months prior to the date the payment is scheduled to be paid (or in the case of installment payments, 12 months prior to the date the first amount was scheduled to be paid).

With respect to any initial distribution election, a Participant shall in no event be permitted to make more than one distribution election change.

 
(c)  A Participant’s entitlement to installments will not be treated as an entitlement to a series of separate payments.

 
(d)  If the Plan does not provide for Plan-level payment triggers pursuant to Section 1.07(a)(3), and the Participant does not designate in the manner prescribed by the Administrator the method of distribution, and/or the distribution trigger (if and as required), such method of distribution shall be a lump sum at Separation from Service.

 
(e)  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, with respect to any Specified Employee, if the applicable payment trigger is Separation from Service, then payment shall not commence before the date that is six months after the date of Separation from Service (or, if earlier, the date of death of the Specified Employee, pursuant to Section 7.02).  Payments to which a Specified Employee would otherwise be entitled during the first six months following the date of Separation from Service are delayed by six months.

 
(f)  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator may, in its discretion, automatically pay out a Participant’s vested Account in a lump sum, provided that such payment satisfies the requirements in (1) through (3) below:

(1)  
Such payment results in the termination and liquidation of the entirety of the Participant’s interest under the plan (as defined in 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(c)(2)), including all agreements, methods, programs, or other arrangements with respect to which deferrals of compensation are treated as having been deferred under a single nonqualified deferred compensation plan under 26 CFR section 1.409A-1(c)(2);

(2)  
Such payment is not greater than the applicable dollar amount under Code section 402(g)(1)(B); and

(3)  
Such exercise of Administrator discretion is evidenced in writing no later than the date of such payment.

 
(g)  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator may, in its discretion, delay a payment otherwise required hereunder to a date after the designated payment date due to any of the circumstances described in (1) through (4) below, provided that the Administrator treats all payments to similarly situated Participants on a reasonably consistent basis.

 
(1)  
In the event the Administrator reasonably anticipates that, if the payment were made as scheduled, the Employer’s deduction with respect to such payment would not be permitted due to the application of Code section 162(m), provided the delay complies with the conditions in 26 CFR section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(i).

(2)  
In the event the Administrator reasonably anticipates that the making of such payment will violate Federal securities laws or other applicable law, provided the delay complies with the conditions in 26 CFR section 1.409A-2(b)(7)(ii).

(3)  
Upon such other events and conditions as the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service may prescribe in generally applicable guidance published in the Internal Revenue Bulletin.

(4)  
Upon a change in control event, provided the delay complies with conditions in 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(i)(5)(iv).

 
(h)  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator may provide an election to change the time or form of a payment hereunder to satisfy the requirements of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended, 38 USC sections 4301 through 4344.

 
 
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8.02.   Notice to Trustee .   The Administrator will provide direction to the Trustee, as provided in the Trust agreement, whenever any Participant or Beneficiary is entitled to receive benefits under the Plan.  The Administrator's notice shall indicate the form, amount and frequency of benefits that such Participant or Beneficiary shall receive.

8.03.   Unforeseeable Emergency Withdrawals .   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, a Participant may apply to the Administrator to withdraw some or all of his Account if such withdrawal is made on account of an Unforeseeable Emergency as determined by the Administrator in accordance with the requirements of and subject to the limitations provided in 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(i)(3).

Article 9.   Amendment and Termination .

9.01   Amendment by Employer .   The Employer reserves the authority to amend the Plan in its discretion.  Any such amendment notwithstanding, no Participant's Account shall be reduced by such amendment below the amount to which the Participant would have been entitled if he had voluntarily left the employ of the Employer immediately prior to the date of the change.

9.02.   Termination .   The Employer has no obligation or liability whatsoever to maintain the Plan for any length of time and may terminate the Plan at any time by written notice delivered to the Trustee without any liability hereunder for any such discontinuance or termination.  Such termination shall comply with 26 CFR section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix) and other applicable guidance.


Article 10.   Miscellaneous .

10.01.   Communication to Participants .   The Plan will be communicated to all Participants by the Employer promptly after the Plan is adopted.

10.02.   Limitation of Rights .   Neither the establishment of the Plan and the Trust, nor any amendment thereof, nor the creation of any fund or account, nor the payment of any benefits, will be construed as giving to any Participant or other person any legal or equitable right against the Employer, Administrator or Trustee, except as provided herein; in no event will the terms of employment or service of any individual be modified or in any way affected hereby.

10.03.   Nonalienability of Benefits .   The benefits provided hereunder will not be subject to alienation, assignment, garnishment, attachment, execution or levy of any kind, either voluntarily or involuntarily, and any attempt to cause such benefits to be so subjected will not be recognized, except to such extent as may be required by law and as provided pursuant to a domestic relations order (defined in Code section 414(p)(1)(B)), as determined by the Administrator.  Pursuant to a domestic relations order, payments may be accelerated to a time sooner, and pursuant to a schedule more rapid, than the time and schedule applicable in the absence of the domestic relations order, provided that such payment pursuant to such order is not made to the Participant and provided further that this provision shall not be construed to provide the Participant discretion regarding whether such payment time or schedule will be accelerated.


10.04.   Facility of Payment .   In the event the Administrator determines, on the basis of medical reports or other evidence satisfactory to the Administrator, that the recipient of any benefit payments under the Plan is incapable of handling his affairs by reason of minority, illness, infirmity or other incapacity, the Administrator may disburse such payments, or direct the Trustee to disburse such payments, as applicable, to a person or institution designated by a court which has jurisdiction over such recipient or a person or institution otherwise having the legal authority under State law for the care and control of such recipient.  The receipt by such person or institution of any such payments shall be complete acquittance therefore, and any such payment to the extent thereof, shall discharge the liability of the Trust for the payment of benefits hereunder to such recipient.

10.05.  
   Plan Records .   The Administrator shall maintain the records of the Plan on a calendar-year basis.

10.06.   USERRA .   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Administrator shall permit any Participant election and make any payments hereunder required by the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994, as amended, 38 USC 4301-4334.

10.07.   Governing Law .   The Plan and the accompanying Adoption Agreement will be construed, administered and enforced according to ERISA, and to the extent not preempted thereby, the laws of the State in which the Employer has its principal place of business, without regard to the conflict of laws principles of such State.

 

 
9

 
Article 11.   Plan Administration .

11.01.   Powers and Responsibilities of the Administrator .   The Administrator has the full power and the full responsibility to administer the Plan in all of its details, subject, however, to the applicable requirements of ERISA.  The Administrator's powers and responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a)           To make and enforce such rules and regulations as it deems necessary or proper for the efficient administration of the Plan;

(b)           To interpret the Plan, its interpretation thereof in good faith to be final and conclusive on all persons claiming benefits under the Plan;

(c)           To decide all questions concerning the Plan and the eligibility of any person to participate in the Plan;

(d)           To administer the claims and review procedures specified in Section 11.02;

(e)           To compute the amount of benefits which will be payable to any Participant, former Participant or Beneficiary in accordance with the provisions of the Plan;

(f)           To determine the person or persons to whom such benefits will be paid;

(g)           To authorize the payment of benefits;

(h)           To appoint such agents, counsel, accountants, and consultants as may be required to assist in administering the Plan; and

(i)            By written instrument, to allocate and delegate its responsibilities, including the formation of an administrative committee to administer the Plan.





11.02.   Claims and Review Procedures .

(a)            Claims Procedure .  If any person believes he is being denied any rights or benefits under the Plan, such person may file a claim in writing with the Administrator.  If any such claim is wholly or partially denied, the Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing.  Such notification will contain (i) specific reasons for the denial, (ii) specific reference to pertinent Plan provisions, (iii) a description of any additional material or information necessary for such person to perfect such claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and (iv) information as to the steps to be taken if the person wishes to submit a request for review, including a statement of the such person’s right to bring a civil action under ERISA section 502(a) following as adverse determination upon review.  Such notification will be given within 90 days after the claim is received by the Administrator (or within 180 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim, and if written notice of such extension and circumstances is given to such person within the initial 90-day period).

If the claim concerns disability benefits under the Plan, the Plan Administrator must notify the claimant in writing within 45 days after the claim has been filed in order to deny it.  If special circumstances require an extension of time to process the claim, the Plan Administrator must notify the claimant before the end of the 45-day period that the claim may take up to 30 days longer to process.  If special circumstances still prevent the resolution of the claim, the Plan Administrator may then only take up to another 30 days after giving the claimant notice before the end of the original 30-day extension.  If the Plan Administrator gives the claimant notice that the claimant needs to provide additional information regarding the claim, the claimant must do so within 45 days of that notice.

(b)            Review Procedure .  Within 60 days after the date on which a person receives a written notice of a denied claim (or, if applicable, within 60 days after the date on which such denial is considered to have occurred), such person (or his duly authorized representative) may (i) file a written request with the Administrator for a review of his denied claim and of pertinent documents and (ii) submit written issues and comments to the Administrator.  This written request may include comments, documents, records, and other information relating to the claim for benefits.  The claimant shall be provided, upon the claimant’s request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim for benefits.  The review will take into account all comments, documents, records, and other information submitted by the claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination.  The Administrator will notify such person of its decision in writing.  Such notification will be written in a manner calculated to be understood by such person and will contain specific reasons for the decision as well as specific references to pertinent Plan provisions.  The decision on review will be made within 60 days after the request for review is received by the Administrator (or within 120 days, if special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the request, such as an election by the Administrator to hold a hearing, and if written notice of such extension and circumstances is given to such person within the initial 60-day period). The extension notice shall indicate the special circumstances requiring an extension of time and the date by which the Plan expects to render the determination on review.

If the initial claim was for disability benefits under the Plan and has been denied by the Plan Administrator, the claimant will have 180 days from the date the claimant received notice of the claim’s denial in which to appeal that decision.  The review will be handled completely independently of the findings and decision made regarding the initial claim and will be processed by an individual who is not a subordinate of the individual who denied the initial claim.  If the claim requires medical judgment, the individual handling the appeal will consult with a medical professional whom was not consulted regarding the initial claim and who is not a subordinate of anyone consulted regarding the initial claim and identify that medical professional to the claimant.


The Plan Administrator shall provide the claimant with written notification of a plan’s benefit determination on review.  In the case of an adverse benefit determination, the notification shall set forth, in a manner calculated to be understood by the claimant – the specific reason or reasons for the adverse determinations, reference to the specific plan provisions on which the benefit determination is based, a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon the claimant’s request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records, and other information relevant to the claim for benefits.


10
 

 


Exhibit 10.54

CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION
ANNUAL INCENTIVE AND SALES INCENTIVE PROGRAMS
 
ARTICLE I. GENERAL
 
Section 1.1.   Purpose .  Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the "Corporation") maintains the Cabot Microelectronics Annual Incentive Program and Sales Incentive Program (the "Programs") to benefit and advance the interests of the Corporation by providing to the Corporation's employees performance-based cash bonuses ("Bonuses") that are based upon the achievement of financial, business and other performance goals.
 
Section 1.2.   Administration of the Program .  The Compensation Committee of the Corporation's Board of Directors (the "Committee") shall administer the Programs.  The Committee may adopt such rules as it deems appropriate in order to carry out the purpose of the Programs.  Questions of interpretation, administration and application of the Program shall be determined by the Committee.  The Committee may authorize any one or more of its members, or any officer of the Corporation, to execute and deliver documents on behalf of the Committee with respect to the Programs.  The determinations of the Committee shall be final and binding in all matters relating to the Programs.  The Committee shall have authority to determine the terms and conditions of Bonuses.   With the exception of any determination or payment of any Bonus to any Executive Officer of the Corporation (as defined by relevant Securities and Exchange Commission regulations), the Committee may delegate some or all of its authority under the Programs to the Chief Executive Officer, other officers or the Corporation’s Global Human Resources Director.
 
Section 1.3.   Eligible Persons .  Bonuses may be granted to employees of the Corporation.  The Committee or, if applicable, its delegate(s) shall determine the employees who are eligible to participate in the Programs ("Participants").  An individual shall not be deemed an employee for purposes of the Programs unless such individual is classified and receives compensation from the Corporation for services performed as an employee of the Corporation.
 
ARTICLE II. BONUSES
 
Section 2.1. Bonuses .  The Committee may grant annual Bonuses to employees subject to the provisions of the Programs.
 
Section 2.2. Terms of Bonuses .  The Committee or, if applicable, its delegate(s) shall (i) establish for the relevant period of the Programs ("Performance Period") the applicable performance goals and objectives ("Performance Objectives") for the Corporation and each Participant, and the particular allocation to each such Performance Objective, and (ii) establish target bonuses for each Participant, which shall equal a percentage of the Participant's base salary.  In general, for the Annual Incentive Program, the Performance Period is the Corporation’s fiscal year (October 1 – September 30).  In general, for the Sales Incentive Program, the Performance Period is each the first two (October 1 – March 31) and the last two (April 1 – September 30) quarters of the Corporation’s fiscal year.  Performance Objectives under the Programs may include, but shall not be limited to, various financial, business and operational goals (for example, those related to earnings per share, revenue, gross margin, cash flow, earnings before interest and taxes, customer satisfaction, product quality, securing new opportunities, new product introductions, productivity improvements, customer return rate, and, new business area growth).
 
Section 2.3. Determination of Bonuses .  Following the close of the relevant Performance Period, the Committee, or, with respect to Participants other than Executive Officers, the Committee's delegate(s), shall determine the amount of Bonus (if any) to be paid to each Participant, based on assessment of achievement of the Performance Objectives of the Programs, as well as reflecting an assessment of each Participant’s individual performance or other factors during the relevant Performance Period, in the Committee’s (or delegate(s)’) sole discretion.  In no event shall a determination of a Bonus for an Executive Officer be made other than by the Committee.
 
               Section 2.4. Payment of Bonuses .  Payment of a Bonus to a Participant shall be made as soon as practicable after determination of the amount of the Bonuses under Section 2.3 above, and after the Committee has approved the aggregate bonus payout amount for the Performance Period, and individual Bonuses for the Corporation’s Executive Officers, but in no event later than 75 days after the end of the Performance Period.  In no event shall a payment of a Bonus be made to an Executive Officer other than as specifically authorized by the Committee.  Participants whose employment is terminated, whether by the Corporation or voluntarily by the Participant, prior to the payment date of a Bonus shall not be entitled to receive a Bonus, whether or not a Bonus amount previously had been designated for such Participant pursuant to the terms of the Programs.  According to the intent of the Corporation to award the entire accrual of Bonus amounts for the relevant Performance Period, which is set by the Committee in conjunction with the closing of the Corporation’s financial books for such Performance Period, to the extent a Bonus amount had been accrued for and/or designated for such Participant in advance of the termination of such Participant’s employment, the Corporation shall reallocate such amount to the pool of other Participants (with the exception of Executive Officers unless specifically agreed upon by the Committee) in the Programs, to the extent administratively practical.

 
1

 
ARTICLE III  MISCELLANEOUS
 
Section 3.1. No Additional Participant Rights .  The participation of an employee in the Programs shall not give such employee any right to be retained in the employ of the Corporation or any of its affiliates, and the Corporation specifically reserves the right to dismiss a Participant or to terminate any arrangement pursuant to which any such Participant provides services to the Corporation, with or without cause.  No person shall have claim to a Bonus under the Programs, except as otherwise provided for herein, or to continued participation in the Programs. There is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Participants under the Programs. The benefits provided for Participants under the Programs shall be in addition to and shall in no way preclude other forms of compensation to or in respect of such Participants. It is expressly agreed and understood that the employment of a Participant is terminable at the will of either party and, if such Participant is a party to an employment agreement with the Corporation or one of its affiliates, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Participant's employment agreement.
 
Section 3.2. No Assignment .  The rights of a Participant with respect to any Bonuses granted under the Programs shall not be transferable by the Participant.
 
Section 3.3. Tax Withholding .  The Corporation or a subsidiary thereof, as appropriate, shall have the right to deduct from all payments made under the Programs to a Participant or to a Participant's beneficiary or beneficiaries any federal, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments.
 
Section 3.4. No Restriction on Right of Corporation to Effect Changes .  The Programs shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Corporation or its stockholders to make or authorize any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, acquisition, divestiture, consolidation, spin-off, combination, liquidation, dissolution, sale of assets, or other similar corporate transaction or event involving the Corporation or a subsidiary thereof or any other event or series of events, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
 
Section 3.5. Source of Payments .  The Corporation shall not have any obligation to establish any separate fund or trust or other segregation of assets to provide for payments under the Programs. To the extent any person acquires any rights to receive payments hereunder from the Corporation, such rights shall be no greater than those of an unsecured creditor.
 
Section 3.6. Amendment and Termination .  The Committee may at any time and from time to time alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Programs in whole or in part.
 
Section 3.7. Governing Law and Severability .  The Programs and all rights and Bonuses hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to conflicts of law principles and applicable federal law.  The jurisdiction and venue for any disputes arising under, or any action brought to enforce (or otherwise relating to), the Programs shall be exclusively in the courts in the State of Illinois, including the Federal Courts located therein (should Federal jurisdiction exist).  If any portion of the Programs is deemed to be in conflict with local law, that portion of the Programs, and that portion only, will be deemed null and void under that local law. All other provisions of the Programs will remain in full effect.
 
 
                Section 3.8.   Miscellaneous .  Notwithstanding any provision of the Programs to the contrary, any and all Bonuses made under the Programs are intended to be exempt from or, in the alternative, comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the interpretive guidance thereunder, including the exceptions for short-term deferrals.  The Programs shall be construed

 
 
2


EXHIBIT 21.1


SUBSIDIARIES OF CABOT MICROELECTRONICS CORPORATION

Cabot Microelectronics Global Corporation (Delaware, U.S.)
Cabot Microelectronics Polishing Corporation (Delaware, U.S.)
QED Technologies International, Inc. (Delaware, U.S.)
Cabot Microelectronics Japan KK (Japan)
Nihon Cabot Microelectronics KK (Japan)
Cabot Microelectronics Singapore Pte. Ltd.   (Singapore)



EXHIBIT 23.1


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (No.’s 333-34272, 333-34270, 333-82680 and 333-123692) of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation of our report dated November 25, 2008, relating to the financial statements, financial statement schedule, and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting , which appears in this Form 10-K.

 
/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP


Chicago, Illinois
November 25, 2008


EXHIBIT 24.1


POWER OF ATTORNEY

Know all persons by these presents, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints H. Carol Bernstein, their Attorney-in-fact, with the power of substitution, for him in any and all capacities, to sign the annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008 and any amendments to this Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said Attorney-in-fact, or her substitute or substitutes, may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


SIGNATURE                                              TITLE                                                      DATE

/s/ William P. Noglows                                                      Chairman of the Board,                             November 25, 2008
----------------------------                                                      President and Chief
William P. Noglows                                                      Executive Officer

/s/ Robert J. Birgeneau                                                      Director                                                      November 25, 2008
----------------------------
Robert J. Birgeneau

/s/ John P. Frazee, Jr.                                                      Director                                                      November 25, 2008
----------------------------
John P. Frazee, Jr.

/s/ H. Laurance Fuller                                                      Director                                                      November 25, 2008
----------------------------
H. Laurance Fuller

/s/ Barbara A. Klein                                                      Director                                                      November 25, 2008
----------------------------
Barbara A. Klein

/s/ Edward J. Mooney                                                      Director                                                      November 25, 2008
----------------------------
Edward J. Mooney

/s/ Steven V. Wilkinson                                                      Director                                                      November 25, 2008
----------------------------
Steven V. Wilkinson

/s/ Bailing Xia                                                            Director                                                      November 25, 2008
----------------------------
Bailing Xia




Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION

     I, William P. Noglows, certify that:

  1. 
 I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation;

  2. 
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

  3. 
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

  4. 
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 
(a)
D esigned such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 
(b) 
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
(c) 
E valuated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 
(d) 
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

  5. 
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

 
(a) 
A ll significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
(b) 
A ny fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: November 25, 2008                                                                    /s/ WILLIAM P. NOGLOWS                                                        
William P. Noglows
Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION

     I, William S. Johnson, certify that:

  1. 
 I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation;

  2. 
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

  3. 
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

  4. 
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 
(a)
D esigned such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 
(b) 
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 
(c) 
E valuated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 
(d) 
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

  5. 
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

 
(a) 
A ll significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 
(b) 
A ny fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Date: November 25, 2008                                                                    /s/ WILLIAM S. JOHNSON                                                        
William S. Johnson
Chief Financial Officer


Exhibit 32.1



CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Annual Report of Cabot Microelectronics Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2008, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), each of the undersigned officers of the Company certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


Date: November 25, 2008                                                                    /s/ WILLIAM P. NOGLOWS                                                        
William P. Noglows
Chief Executive Officer


Date: November 25, 2008                                                                    /s/ WILLIAM S. JOHNSON                                                        
William S. Johnson
Chief Financial Officer