UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 1, 2017

Commission File Number 001-31921

COMPASSLOGO_COLORA07.JPG
Compass Minerals International, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)
36-3972986
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

9900 West 109 th Street
Suite 100
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 344-9200
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code and telephone number, including area code)


N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Item 5.02.     Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Effective February 1, 2017, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Compass Minerals International, Inc. (the “Company”) increased the size of the Board from eight directors to nine directors and appointed Valdemar L. Fischer as a Class II director with a term expiring at the Company’s 2017 annual meeting of stockholders. Mr. Fischer is an independent director and will serve on the Audit Committee of the Board and the Compensation Committee of the Board.

As a non-employee director, Mr. Fischer will be entitled to receive the same compensation as the Company’s other non-employee directors, as described in the Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K, and in accordance with the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, which is attached as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. Mr. Fischer and the Company have entered into the Company’s standard form of indemnification agreement.

There is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Fischer and any other person pursuant to which Mr. Fischer was appointed as a director. Furthermore, there are no transactions between Mr. Fischer (or any member of his immediate family)and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries) that would be required to be reported under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

The Company issued a press release announcing Mr. Fischer’s appointment to the Board on February 2, 2017. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated by reference herein.

Item 9.01.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Description
10.1
 
Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation, as of January 1, 2017.
10.2
 
Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, effective January 1, 2017.
99.1
 
Press Release issued by Compass Minerals International, Inc. on February 2, 2017.






SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
COMPASS MINERALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
 
 
Date: February 2, 2017
By:
/s/ Diana C. Toman
 
 
Name: Diana C. Toman
 
 
Title: Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
 
 
 





EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
 
Exhibit Description
10.1
 
Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation, as of January 1, 2017.
10.2
 
Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy, effective January 1, 2017.
99.1
 
Press Release issued by Compass Minerals International, Inc. on February 2, 2017.
 
 
 






COMPASSLOGO_COLORA07.JPG
Exhibit 10.1

Summary of Non-Employee Director Compensation

As of January 1, 2017

The following compensation will be provided to non-employee members of the Board of Directors (the “ Board ”) of Compass Minerals International, Inc. (the “ Company ”) pursuant to the Company’s Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.

A.
Cash Compensation

1.
Annual Retainer . Each non-employee director will receive a $75,000 annual cash retainer for service on the Board.

2.
Committee Service Fee . In addition, each non-employee director serving as a chair or member of any of the following Board committees will receive an annual cash fee for committee service, as follows:

Committee
Chair

Members

Audit Committee

$22,500


$10,000

Compensation Committee

$15,000


$7,500

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

$12,500


$5,000

Environmental, Health & Safety Committee

$12,500


$5,000


3.
Lead Independent Director . In addition, the Lead Independent Director of the Board will receive an annual cash fee of $25,000 for services as Lead Independent Director.
B.
Equity Compensation . Each non-employee director will receive an equity award with an annual equity award value of $85,000 for service on the Board.

COMPASSLOGO_COLORA07.JPG
Exhibit 10.2




Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
Non-employee members of the board of directors (the “ Board ”) of Compass Minerals International, Inc. (the “ Company ”) will be eligible to receive compensation as set forth in this Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (this “ Policy ”). The compensation described in this Policy will be paid, granted or issued, as applicable, to each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company (each, a “ Director ”). This Policy will become effective on January 1, 2017 and will remain in effect until it is revised or rescinded by further action of the Board.
A.
Cash Compensation
1.
Annual Retainers and Other Fees . Directors may receive retainers and other fees (the “ Cash Compensation ”), payable in cash (subject to Section C), as compensation for their service as a Director, as the Board may determine from time to time which may include, without limitation, an annual retainer, committee service fees, committee chair fees, lead independent director fees and meeting fees.         
2.
Payment
a.
Payment Date . The Cash Compensation will be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and will be paid by the Company in arrears.
b.
Partial Service . In the event a Director does not serve as a Director (or in an applicable position on the Board) for an entire calendar quarter (but serves for a portion of the quarter), such Director will receive a prorated portion of the Cash Compensation otherwise payable to him or her for such calendar quarter, with such prorated portion determined by multiplying the Cash Compensation that would otherwise be payable by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during which the Director serves as a Director or in an applicable position during the applicable calendar quarter and the denominator of which is the number of days in the applicable calendar quarter.
B.
Equity Compensation
1.
Equity Awards . Directors may receive equity awards as compensation for service as the Board may determine from time to time (“ Equity Compensation ”). The awards will be granted under, and be subject to the, terms and provisions of the Company’s 2015 Incentive Award Plan or any other applicable Company equity incentive plan then-maintained by the Company (the “ Equity Plan ”). All applicable terms of the Equity Plan apply to this Policy as if fully set forth herein, and all equity grants hereunder are subject in all respects to the terms of the Equity Plan. The Board will establish the dollar amount of the Equity Compensation payable to Directors (the “ Annual Equity Award Value ”).
2.
Stock Ownership Guidelines . Each Director is required to receive the Equity Compensation in the form of Deferred Stock Units until he or she satisfies the applicable requirements contained in the Company’s stock ownership guidelines.
3.
Payment
a.
Number of Shares . Directors will receive Equity Compensation in the form of shares of common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share (“ Common Stock ”), or Deferred Stock Units (as defined below), in which case payment will be made in accordance with Section C. The number of shares of Common Stock awarded to a Director will be determined

1



by dividing (i) the Annual Equity Award Value by (ii) the closing market price of the Common Stock on the date of grant , or on the next trading day if such date was not a trading day, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transactions listing (the “ Fair Market Value ”).
b.
Fractional Shares . Only whole shares of Common Stock will be issued by rounding down to the previous whole number and any remaining partial value will be accumulated and allocated to the next payment. On termination of service, any unpaid fractional shares of Common Stock outstanding will be paid in cash.
c.
Grant Date . The Equity Compensation will be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and the date of grant will be the last business day of each calendar quarter.
d.
Partial Service . In the event a Director does not serve as a Director (or in an applicable position on the Board) for an entire calendar quarter (but serves for a portion of the quarter), such Director will receive a prorated portion of the Equity Compensation otherwise payable to him or her for such calendar quarter, with such prorated portion determined by multiplying the Annual Equity Award Value by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during which the Director serves as a Director or in an applicable position during the applicable calendar quarter and the denominator of which is the number of days in the applicable calendar quarter
4.
Vesting . All Equity Compensation will be immediately vested on the date of grant.
C.
Payment Elections and Deferrals
1.
Cash Compensation . Directors may elect for all or a portion of the Cash Compensation to be paid:
a.
In the form of Deferred Stock Units, in which case the dollar value of any such amount will be added to such Director’s Annual Equity Award Value and paid pursuant to Section C(4);
b.
In the form of shares of Common Stock, in which case the dollar value of any such amount will be added to such Director’s Annual Equity Award Value and paid pursuant to Section B; or
c.
Subject to the Board’s approval, under other deferred compensation plans or programs established by the Board.
2.
Equity Compensation . Directors may elect for all or a portion of the Equity Compensation to be paid in the form of Deferred Stock Units and must elect for all Equity Compensation to be paid in the form of Deferred Stock Units if he or she has not met the applicable requirements contained in the Company’s stock ownership guidelines. In each case, the dollar value of any such amount to be paid in the form of Deferred Stock Units will be paid pursuant to Section C(4).
3.
Notification Requirements . If a Director desires to defer receipt of all or a portion of his or her Cash Compensation or Equity Compensation or otherwise make an election pursuant to this Section C, he or she must make an election (a “ Deferral Election ”) by delivering an election form to the Senior Vice President, Corporate Services, or the Secretary of the Company. Any initial Deferral Election must satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “ Code ”), to the extent applicable. Any initial Deferral Election must be made not later than December 31 of the calendar year immediately preceding the calendar year of service by delivering an election form to the Senior Vice President, Corporate Services, or the Secretary of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any newly-appointed or elected Director may make a Deferral Election no later than thirty days after such Director first becomes eligible to participate in this

2



Policy and such Deferral Election may only be made with respect to Cash Compensation and Equity Compensation payable for services to be performed during or after the period commencing on the first day of the first full calendar quarter immediately following the date of such Deferral Election. Once a Deferral Election is made, it may be revoked and changed only for future years. Each Deferral Election will carry over to Cash Compensation and Equity Compensation in subsequent plan years unless and until terminated.
4.
Deferred Stock Units  
a.
Payment
i.
Deferred Stock Account . The Company will maintain a separate bookkeeping account (the “ Deferred Stock Account ”) to reflect the deferred stock units (whether issued by the Company under this Policy or otherwise, “ Deferred Stock Units ”) issued to each Director.
ii.
Number of Units . The number of Deferred Stock Units issued to a Director will be determined by dividing the Annual Equity Award that the Director has elected to defer by the Fair Market Value on the date of issuance.
iii.
Issuance Date . Deferred Stock Units will be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and the date of issuance will be the last business day of each calendar quarter.
iv.
Partial Service . In the event a Director does not serve as a Director (or in an applicable position on the Board) for an entire calendar quarter (but serves for a portion of the quarter), such Director will receive a prorated portion of Deferred Stock Units otherwise payable to him or her for such calendar quarter, with such prorated portion determined by multiplying the Annual Equity Award Value that the Director has elected to defer by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during which the Director serves as a Director or in the applicable position during the applicable calendar quarter and the denominator of which is the number of days in the applicable calendar quarter.
a.
Distribution . Deferred Stock Units will be distributed to Directors in the form of shares of Common Stock, with each Deferred Stock Unit equal to one share of Common Stock. Such distribution will be made in whole shares of Common Stock (with cash for fractional shares), to be specified pursuant to a fixed schedule under the applicable Deferral Election pursuant to Section C(3) and subject to compliance with Section 409A of the Code. All distributions will be made no later than 5 business days following the elected payment date.
b.
Voting Rights . Director will have no voting rights with respect to any Deferred Stock Units.
c.
Dividend Equivalents
i.
Right to Receive . Each Deferred Stock Unit credited to a Director’s Deferred Stock Account will carry with it a right to receive dividend equivalents which will be paid in the form of Deferred Stock Units. The dividend equivalent right associated with a Deferred Stock Unit will remain outstanding until the delivery to the Director of the shares of Common Stock underlying such Deferred Stock Unit.
ii.
Issuance Date . Deferred Stock Units issued with respect to dividend equivalents will be issued as of the date the Company pays any dividend (whether in cash or in kind) on shares of Common Stock.

3



iii.
Number of Units . The number of Deferred Stock Units issued to a Director with respect to dividend equivalents will be determined by dividing (A) the aggregate dollar value of the dividend that would have been payable on the Deferred Stock Unit credited to a Director’s Deferred Stock Account immediately prior to the dividend payment date by (B) the Fair Market Value on the date of issuance.
iv.
Distribution . Deferred Stock Units issued with respect to dividend equivalents will be distributed to Directors pursuant to Section C(4)(b) using the fixed schedule under the applicable Deferral Election for the year in which such Deferred Stock Units were issued.
d.
Payment Following Change of Control . Notwithstanding anything in this Policy to the contrary or any election made by any Director, if a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code occurs, any Deferred Stock Unit credited to a Director’s Deferred Stock Account as of such Change of Control will be distributed in a single lump sum to the Director (or, as applicable, his or her beneficiary) immediately following the Change of Control.
D.
General
1.
Unfunded Obligation . This Policy is designed and will be administered at all times as an unfunded arrangement and each Director will be treated as an unsecured general creditor and will have no beneficial ownership of any assets of the Company.
2.
Taxes . Directors will be solely responsible for any federal, state or other taxes imposed in connection with Cash Compensation and Equity Compensation (including Deferred Stock Units) and each Director authorizes the Company or any of its subsidiaries to make any withholding for taxes which the Company or any subsidiary deems, in their sole discretion, necessary or desirable in connection therewith.
3.
Acceleration of Payment to Pay State, Local or Foreign Taxes . The time or schedule of any distribution or payment of any Deferred Stock Units or any other award that constitutes non-qualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A of the Code will not be accelerated, except as otherwise permitted under Section 409A of the Code, including without limitation, Treasury Regulation 1.409A-3(j). Subject to the foregoing, the Company will accelerate the payment of a portion of the shares of Deferred Stock Units credited to a Director’s Deferred Stock Account for the sole purpose of allowing such Director to pay applicable state, local and foreign taxes relating to such Deferred Stock Units consistent with Section 409A of the Code. Accelerated payment will be limited to the amount of taxes due as a result of such Director’s participation in the Company’s deferred compensation program, all as certified by the Director’s personal tax advisor. Directors will be solely responsible for any tax consequences relating to or resulting from the accelerated payment from his or her Deferred Stock Account.
4.
Amendments; Etc . This Policy may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board at any time in its sole discretion. The terms and conditions of this Policy supersede any prior compensation arrangements for service as a member of the Board between the Company and any of its Directors and between any subsidiary of the Company and any of its Directors.
5.
Governing Law . This Policy and any agreements or documents hereunder will be administered, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without regard to conflicts of laws thereof.


4

CMP20170202EX991IMAGE1.JPG
Exhibit 99.1


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    
Compass Minerals Adds Latin American Experience to Board of Directors with Appointment of Valdemar L. Fischer

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (Feb. 2, 2017) – Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP) today announced the appointment of Valdemar L. Fischer to its Board of Directors. With over 30 years of experience in agribusiness, including in Latin America, Fischer will be an important asset to the Board given the company’s recent acquisition of Produquímica Indústria e Comércio S.A. (Produquímica), a Brazilian specialty plant nutrition company.
“Compass Minerals will greatly benefit from the valuable experience Valdemar brings to our Board of Directors,” said Richard S. Grant, Compass Minerals’ lead independent director. “We believe Valdemar’s hands-on experience in growing agribusinesses in Latin America, coupled with his extensive leadership roles in large multinational companies, will provide the Board much needed insight as Compass Minerals works to unlock the full value of our recent acquisition of Produquímica and grow our specialty plant nutrition business.”
Fischer, a native of Brazil, served as the special advisor to the chief executive officer of Nufarm, a global agriculture chemicals company based in Melbourne, Australia, until his retirement in January 2017. Previously, Fischer served as Nufarm’s group executive for global marketing and product portfolio from 2015 to 2016 and general manager, Latin America from 2010 to 2015. In these positions, Fischer oversaw significant growth through market share gains and strategic product portfolio management.
Prior to joining Nufarm, Fischer held several positions with increasing responsibility at Syngenta, a Swiss agrochemical company, including regional head, NAFTA Crop Protection and regional head Latin America and Brazil.
Fischer earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy from Universidad de Pelotas in Brazil and a master’s degree in management from Lancaster University in the UK.
With Fischer’s appointment, the Board of Directors has expanded from eight members to nine. He has been nominated for election at the company’s 2017 annual meeting of stockholders.

About Compass Minerals
Compass Minerals is a leading provider of essential minerals that solve nature’s challenges, including salt for winter roadway safety and other consumer, industrial and agricultural uses, and specialty plant nutrition minerals that improve the quality and yield of crops. Named one of Forbes’ 100 Most Trustworthy Companies in America in 2015 and 2016, Compass Minerals’ mission is to be the best essential minerals company by delivering where and when it matters. The company produces its minerals at locations throughout the U.S., Canada, Brazil and the U.K. For more information about Compass Minerals and its products, please visit www.compassminerals.com.

Page 2: Valdemar L. Fischer Named to Board of Directors


This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are based on the company’s current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause the company’s actual results to differ materially. The differences could be caused by a number of factors including those factors identified in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of the company’s Annual and Quarterly Reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this press release to reflect future events or developments.

Media Contact
Investor Contact
Tara Hart
Theresa Womble
Manager of Corporate Affairs
Director of Investor Relations
+1.913.344.9319
+1.913.344.9362
PressRelations@compassminerals.com
InvestorRelations@compassminerals.com