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LEAR CORP — Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement 2010
Mar 31, 2010
30987_psi_2010-03-31_95986e5d-464e-4327-9f33-73e4df877faf.zip
Proxy Solicitation & Information Statement
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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant þ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:
| o | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
|---|---|
| o | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a- 6(e)(2) ) |
| þ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
| o | Definitive Additional Materials |
| o | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
Lear Corporation
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
| þ | No fee required. |
|---|---|
| o | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
| (1) | Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|---|---|
| (2) | Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
| (3) | Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the |
| amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): | |
| (4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
| (5) | Total fee paid: |
| o | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|---|---|
| o | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the |
| filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration | |
| statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
| (1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
|---|---|
| (2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
| (3) | Filing Party: |
| (4) | Date Filed: |
| Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to | |
| respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number. |
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21557 Telegraph Road
Southfield, Michigan 48033
March 31, 2010
Dear Fellow Stockholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Lear Corporation, you are cordially invited to attend the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) at Lear Corporations Corporate Headquarters at 21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033.
The attached proxy statement provides you with detailed information about the annual meeting. We encourage you to read the entire proxy statement carefully. You may also obtain more information about Lear from documents we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
We are delivering our proxy statement and annual report pursuant to the Securities and Exchange Commission rules that allow companies to furnish proxy materials to their stockholders over the Internet. We believe that this delivery method expedites stockholders receipt of proxy materials and reduces the cost and environmental impact of our annual meeting. On or about March 31, 2010, we will mail to our stockholders a notice containing instructions on how to access our proxy materials. In addition, the notice includes instructions on how you can receive a paper copy of our proxy materials.
You are being asked at the annual meeting to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm and transact any other business properly brought before the meeting.
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, your vote is important, and we encourage you to vote promptly. You may vote your shares via a toll-free telephone number, over the Internet or by completing, dating, signing and returning your proxy card, as described in the attached proxy statement and proxy card.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and continued support.
Sincerely,
/s/ Robert E. Rossiter
Robert E. Rossiter
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
This proxy statement is dated March 31, 2010, and is first being made available to stockholders electronically via the Internet on or about March 31, 2010.
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LEAR CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
May 13, 2010
10:00 a.m., Eastern Time
To the Stockholders of Lear Corporation:
The 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on May 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) at Lear Corporations Corporate Headquarters at 21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033. The purpose of the meeting is to:
| 1. | ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for 2010; and |
| --- | --- |
| 2. | conduct any other business properly brought before the meeting
or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
Voting is limited to stockholders of record at the close of business on March 22, 2010. A list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, and any postponements or adjournments of the meeting, will be available for examination between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time at our headquarters at 21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033 during the ten days prior to the meeting and also at the meeting.
Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, please vote your shares via the toll-free telephone number, over the Internet or by completing, signing and dating the proxy card, as described in the attached proxy statement and proxy card. Your prompt cooperation is greatly appreciated.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Terrence B. Larkin
Terrence B. Larkin
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
March 31, 2010
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
| SUMMARY OF THE ANNUAL MEETING | 1 |
|---|---|
| Annual Meeting | 1 |
| Record Date | 1 |
| Notice of Electronic Availability of Proxy | |
| Statement and Annual Report | 1 |
| Agenda | 1 |
| Proxy Solicitation | 1 |
| Information about Voting | 1 |
| Revoking Proxies | 2 |
| Outstanding Shares | 2 |
| Quorum | 2 |
| Voting | 2 |
| Required Vote | 2 |
| Shares Held Through a Bank, Broker or Other | |
| Nominee | 2 |
| SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS | |
| AND MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| FEES OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS | 5 |
| RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT | |
| REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM (PROPOSAL NO.1) | 6 |
| EMERGENCE FROM CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY | |
| PROCEEDINGS | 7 |
| STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2011 ANNUAL | |
| MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS | 7 |
| OTHER MATTERS | 7 |
/TOC
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LEAR CORPORATION 21557 Telegraph Road Southfield, Michigan 48033
SUMMARY OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
Annual Meeting
The 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the Annual Meeting) of Lear Corporation (referred to herein as the Company, Lear, we, us or our as the context requires) will be held at Lears Corporate Headquarters at 21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033, on May 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time).
Record Date
The date fixed to determine stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting is the close of business on March 22, 2010.
Notice of Electronic Availability of Proxy Statement and Annual Report
As permitted by rules adopted by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), we are making this proxy statement and our annual report available to stockholders electronically via the Internet. On or about March 31, 2010, we will mail to our stockholders a notice (the Notice) containing instructions on how to access this proxy statement, the proxy card and our annual report. If you received a Notice by mail and would like to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, you should follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice.
Agenda
The agenda for the meeting is:
| 1. | to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for 2010; and |
| --- | --- |
| 2. | to conduct any other business properly brought before the
meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. |
Proxy Solicitation
Our Board of Directors (the Board) is soliciting your proxy to vote your shares at our Annual Meeting. The cost of this solicitation, including the cost of preparing this proxy statement, the proxy card, the Notice and the annual report are being paid by the Company.
Information about Voting
You may vote in person at the Annual Meeting or by proxy. There are three ways to vote by proxy:
| | By Internet You can vote over the Internet at
www.proxyvote.com by following the instructions on the proxy
card; |
| --- | --- |
| | By Telephone You can vote by telephone by calling 1-800-690-6903 and following the instructions on the proxy card; and |
| | By Mail You can vote by completing, dating, signing
and returning the proxy card. |
Telephone and Internet voting facilities for stockholders of record will be available 24 hours a day and will close at 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on May 12, 2010.
Your proxy will be voted in accordance with your instructions, so long as, in the case of a proxy card returned by mail, such card has been executed and dated. If you execute and return your proxy card by mail but provide no
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specific instructions in the proxy card, your shares will be voted FOR the ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm.
We do not intend to bring any matters before the meeting except those indicated in the notice of Annual Meeting and described in this proxy statement, and we do not know of any matter which anyone else intends to present for action at the meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, however, the persons named in the enclosed proxy will be authorized to vote or otherwise act in accordance with their judgment.
Revoking Proxies
You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the meeting by:
| | delivering to Terrence B. Larkin, our Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, a signed, written
revocation letter dated later than the date of your proxy; |
| --- | --- |
| | submitting a proxy to Lear by telephone, Internet or mail that
is dated later than the date of any proxy previously
submitted; or |
| | attending the meeting and voting in person (your attendance at
the meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy; you must
vote in person at the meeting to revoke your proxy). |
Outstanding Shares
On the record date, there were approximately 43,916,880 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01 per share, outstanding (including 1,288,095 shares reserved for the satisfaction of certain claims in connection with our emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings) and approximately 5,314,130 shares of our Series A convertible participating preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share (Series A Preferred Stock), outstanding. Our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock are the only classes of voting securities outstanding, and the holders of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock vote together as a single class.
Quorum
A quorum is established when a majority of shares entitled to vote is present at the meeting, either in person or by proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes (as described below under Required Vote) are counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present.
Voting
Each share of common stock and Series A Preferred Stock that you hold as of the record date entitles you to one vote, without cumulation, on each matter to be voted upon at the meeting.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented in person or by proxy and entitled to vote on the item will be required for approval of the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm and any other matter properly brought before the meeting. Abstentions on any matter will not be voted but will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum and the minimum number of affirmative votes required for approval. Accordingly, an abstention will have the effect of a negative vote on such item.
Shares Held Through a Bank, Broker or Other Nominee
If you hold your shares in street name through a bank, broker or other nominee, such bank, broker or nominee will vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. To so instruct your bank, broker or nominee, you should follow the information provided to you by such entity. Without instructions from you, a bank, broker or nominee will be permitted to exercise its own voting discretion with respect to certain so-called routine matters, which include Proposal No. 1 (ratification of auditor). Thus, if you do not give your bank, broker or nominee specific instructions with respect to Proposal No. 1, your shares will be voted in such entitys discretion. We urge you, however, to provide your bank, broker or nominee with appropriate voting instructions so that all your shares may be voted at the meeting.
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth, as of March 22, 2010 (except as indicated below), beneficial ownership, as defined by SEC rules, of our common stock and Series A Preferred Stock and ownership of restricted stock units (RSUs) by the persons or groups specified. Each of the persons listed below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the beneficially owned shares listed unless otherwise indicated. The percentage calculations set forth in the table are based on 43,916,880 shares of common stock outstanding on March 22, 2010 (as adjusted to include shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion or exercise of Series A Preferred Stock and Warrants, as applicable) and 5,314,130 shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding on March 22, 2010, rather than based on the percentages set forth in stockholders Schedules 13G.
| Shares of Series | Series A | |||||||
| Number of Shares | Percentage of | A Preferred | Preferred | Number of | ||||
| of Common Stock | Common Stock | Stock Owned | Stock Owned | Restricted Stock | ||||
| Owned Beneficially | Owned Beneficially | Beneficially | Beneficially | Units Owned(7) | ||||
| 5% Beneficial Owners: | ||||||||
| Anchorage Capital Master Offshore, Ltd. and affiliates(1) | 3,802,789 | (1) | 8.4 | % | 611,211 | (1) | 11.5 % | − |
| Avenue Special Situations Fund V, L.P. and affiliates(2) | 3,798,368 | (2) | 8.4 | %(3) | (3) | (3) | − | |
| D.E. Shaw & Co., L.P. and affiliates(4) | 2,202,816 | (4) | 5.0 | % | 70,238 | 1.3 % | − | |
| Executive Officers and Directors: | ||||||||
| Robert E. Rossiter(5)(6) | 18,181 | * | − | − | 263,555 | |||
| Matthew J. Simoncini(5) | − | * | − | − | 76,895 | |||
| Raymond E. Scott(5) | − | * | − | − | 76,895 | |||
| Louis R. Salvatore(5) | − | * | − | − | 76,895 | |||
| Terrence B. Larkin(5) | − | * | − | − | 76,895 | |||
| Thomas P. Capo(6) | 1,860 | − | − | − | ||||
| Curtis J. Clawson(6) | 1,860 | − | − | − | ||||
| Jonathan F. Foster(6) | 1,860 | − | − | − | ||||
| Conrad L. Mallett(6) | 1,125 | * | − | − | − | |||
| Philip F. Murtaugh(6) | 1,860 | * | − | − | − | |||
| Donald L. Runkle(6) | 1,860 | * | − | − | − | |||
| Gregory C. Smith(6) | 1,860 | * | − | − | − | |||
| Henry D.G. Wallace(6) | 1,860 | * | − | − | − | |||
| Total Executive Officers and Directors as a Group | ||||||||
| (16 individuals) | 32,326 | * | − | − | 631,288 |
| * | Less than 1% |
|---|---|
| (1) | Information contained in the columns above and this footnote is |
| based on a report on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on | |
| February 16, 2010 by Anchorage Capital Master Offshore, | |
| Ltd. (Anchorage Offshore), GRF Master Fund, L.P. | |
| (GRF Fund), Anchorage Advisors, L.L.C. | |
| (Advisors), Anchorage Advisors Management, L.L.C. | |
| (Management), Anthony L. Davis and Kevin M. Ulrich | |
| (collectively, the Anchorage Reporting Persons). As | |
| of December 31, 2009, each of Advisors, Management, | |
| Mr. Davis and Mr. Ulrich may be deemed beneficial | |
| owners of 3,802,789 shares of our common stock. This amount | |
| consists of: (a) 3,773,916 shares of common stock held | |
| for the account of Anchorage Offshore; and | |
| (b) 28,873 shares of common stock held for the account | |
| of GRF Fund. These amounts also include shares of common stock | |
| that the Reporting Persons may be deemed to own upon exercise of | |
| warrants pursuant to Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i). Advisors, Management, | |
| Mr. Davis and Mr. Ulrich may be deemed to beneficially | |
| own 780,742 shares of common stock upon the exercise of our |
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| | warrants to purchase common stock, par value $0.01 per share
(Warrants), and 611,211 shares of common stock
upon the conversion of Series A Preferred Stock. The
principal business address of the Anchorage Entities is 610
Broadway, 6th Floor, New York, New York 10012. |
| --- | --- |
| (2) | Information contained in the table above and this footnote is
based on a report on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on
December 18, 2009 by Avenue Investments, L.P., Avenue
Special Situations Fund V, L.P. (2,709,977 shares
beneficially owned), Avenue Capital Partners V, LLC
(2,709,977 shares beneficially owned), GL Partners V,
LLC (2,709,977 shares beneficially owned), Avenue Capital
Management II, L.P. (3,798,368 shares beneficially owned),
Avenue Capital Management II GenPar, LLC
(3,798,368 shares beneficially owned) and Mark Lasry
(3,798,368 shares beneficially owned) (collectively, the
Avenue Reporting Persons). The securities reported
in the Schedule 13G are held by Avenue Investments, L.P.,
Avenue Special Situations Fund V, L.P., Avenue Special
Situations Fund IV, L.P., Avenue-CDP Global Opportunities
Fund, L.P. and Avenue International Master, L.P. (collectively,
the Avenue Entities). According to the
Schedule 13G, Avenue Special Situations Fund V, L.P.,
is the only Avenue Entity that holds more than 5% of our common
stock. Avenue Capital Partners V, LLC is the General
Partner of Avenue Special Situations Fund V, L.P. GL
Partners V, LLC is the Managing Member of Avenue Capital
Partners V, LLC, and Marc Lasry is the Managing Member of
GL Partners V, LLC. Avenue Capital Management II, L.P. is
an investment adviser to each of the Avenue Entities. Avenue
Capital Management II GenPar, LLC is the General Partner of
Avenue Capital Management II, L.P., and Marc Lasry is the
Managing Member of Avenue Capital Management II GenPar,
LLC. The number of shares of common stock includes
1,279,170 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion
of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock held by the
Avenue Reporting Persons, which are convertible into common
stock within 60 days of the date of the Schedule 13G
and shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of our
Warrants, held by the Avenue Reporting Persons within
60 days of the date of the Schedule 13G. The principal
business address of the Avenue Reporting Persons is c/o Avenue Capital Management II, L.P., 535 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor, New
York, NY 10022. |
| (3) | The Schedule 13G filed by the Avenue Reporting Persons does
not clearly indicate the number of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock beneficially owned by the Avenue Reporting
Persons. The number of shares set forth in note 2 above may
represent the aggregate number of shares of common stock
issuable upon (a) conversion of only the Series A
Preferred Stock or (b) conversion or exercise, as
applicable, of all Series A Preferred Stock and Warrants
beneficially owned by the Avenue Reporting Persons. For purposes
of the percentage calculation in the table above, we have
assumed that the number of shares reported by the Avenue
Reporting Persons includes shares of common stock issuable upon
conversion or exercise, as applicable, of all Series A
Preferred Stock and Warrants beneficially owned by the Avenue
Reporting Persons |
| (4) | Information contained in the table above and in this footnote is
based on a report on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on
March 22, 2010 by D. E. Shaw & Co., L.P.
(2,202,816 shares beneficially owned) and David E. Shaw
(2,202,816 shares beneficially owned). This amount is
composed of (i) 1,380,150 shares in the name of D. E.
Shaw Oculus Portfolios, L.L.C. (Oculus),
(ii) 421,409 shares that Oculus has the right to
acquire upon exercise of the Warrants,
(iii) 70,238 shares that Oculus has the right to
acquire through the conversion of the Series A Preferred
Stock, (iv) 329,919 shares in the name of D. E. Shaw
Valence Portfolios, L.L.C., and (v) 1,100 shares under
the management of D. E. Shaw Investment Management, L.L.C.
According to the Schedule 13G, David E. Shaw is the
President of D. E. Shaw & Co., Inc., and he does not
own any shares directly, but may be deemed to have the shared
power to vote or direct the vote of, and the shared power to
dispose or direct the disposition of, the 2,202,816 shares.
Therefore, David E. Shaw may be deemed to be the beneficial
owner of such shares. However, he disclaims beneficial ownership
of such shares. The principal business address of D. E.
Shaw & Co., L.P. and David E. Shaw is
120 W. 45th Street, Tower 45, 39th Floor, New York,
New York 10036. |
| (5) | The individual is a Named Executive Officer. |
| (6) | The individual is a director. |
| (7) | Includes the RSUs owned by our executive officers as of
March 22, 2010. These RSUs are subject to all the economic
risks of stock ownership but may not be voted or sold and are
subject to vesting provisions as set forth in the respective
grant agreements. 7,680 of Mr. Rossiters RSUs vest
and settle into shares of our common stock on the 9th day of
each month for the next 32 months (including April 2010),
subject to the withholding of amounts necessary to satisfy tax
withholding obligations. |
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FEES OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
In connection with the audit of the 2009 financial statements, we entered into an engagement agreement with Ernst & Young LLP which sets forth the terms by which Ernst & Young LLP will perform audit services for the Company. That agreement is subject to alternative dispute resolution procedures.
In addition to retaining Ernst & Young LLP to audit our consolidated financial statements for 2009, we retained Ernst & Young LLP, as well as other accounting firms, to provide tax and other advisory services in 2009. We understand the need for Ernst & Young LLP to maintain objectivity and independence in its audit of our financial statements. It is also the Audit Committees goal that the fees that the Company pays to Ernst & Young LLP for permitted non-audit services in any year should not exceed the audit and audit-related fees paid to Ernst & Young LLP in such year, a goal which the Company achieved in 2009 and 2008.
In order to assure that the provision of audit and non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, does not impair its independence, the Audit Committee is required to pre-approve the audit and permitted non-audit services to be performed by Ernst & Young LLP, other than de minimis services that satisfy the requirements pertaining to de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Audit Committee also has adopted policies and procedures for pre-approving all audit and permitted non-audit work performed by Ernst & Young LLP. Any pre-approval is valid for 14 months from the date of such pre-approval, unless the Audit Committee specifically provides for a different period. Any pre-approval must also set forth in detail the particular service or category of services approved and is generally subject to a specific cost limit. All of the fees for audit, audit-related, tax and other services performed by Ernst & Young LLP were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the pre-approval policies and procedures described in this paragraph.
The Audit Committee has adopted policies regarding our ability to hire employees, former employees and certain relatives of employees of the Companys independent accountants.
During 2009 and 2008, we retained Ernst & Young LLP to provide services in the following categories and amounts:
| 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|
| Audit fees(1) | $ 9,160,000 | $ 8,367,000 |
| Audit-related fees(2) | 162,000 | 196,000 |
| Tax fees(3) | 1,710,000 | 2,186,000 |
| All other fees | | |
| (1) | Audit fees in 2009 and 2008 include services related to the
annual audit of our consolidated financial statements, the audit
of our internal controls over financial reporting, the reviews
of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, international statutory audits and other services that are
normally provided by the independent accountants in connection
with our regulatory filings. Audit fees in 2009 also include
certain additional audit services performed related to the
bankruptcy filings and subsequent emergence from bankruptcy. |
| --- | --- |
| (2) | Audit-related fees in 2009 and 2008 include services related to
the audits of employee benefit plans. |
| (3) | Tax fees include services related to tax compliance, tax advice
and tax planning. |
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RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
(PROPOSAL NO. 1)
Our Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2010. A proposal will be presented at the meeting to ratify this appointment. Ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote. If the stockholders fail to ratify such selection, another independent registered public accounting firm will be considered by our Audit Committee, but the Audit Committee may nonetheless choose to engage Ernst & Young LLP. Even if the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is ratified, the Audit Committee in its discretion may select a different independent registered public accounting firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of Lear and its stockholders. We have been advised that a representative of Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions and, if such person chooses to do so, make a statement.
YOUR BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR 2010.
PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PROPOSAL UNLESS STOCKHOLDERS SPECIFY A CONTRARY VOTE.
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EMERGENCE FROM CHAPTER 11 BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDINGS
On July 7, 2009, the Company and certain of its U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries (collectively, the Debtors) filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 (Chapter 11) of the United States Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York (the Bankruptcy Court) (Consolidated Case No. 09-14326). On November 9, 2009, the Debtors consummated the reorganization contemplated by the plan of reorganization approved by the Bankruptcy Court and emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. In connection with the Companys emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, all of the Companys common stock was extinguished, and no distributions were made to our former shareholders under the plan of reorganization. The Company issued new common stock to certain of its Chapter 11 stakeholders in connection with its emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2011 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Stockholders who intend to present proposals at the Companys annual meeting of stockholders in 2011 pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, must send notice of their proposal to us so that we receive it no later than December 1, 2010. Stockholders who intend to present proposals at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2011 other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 must comply with the notice provisions in our bylaws. The notice provisions in our bylaws require that, for a proposal to be properly brought before the annual meeting of stockholders in 2011, proper notice of the proposal be received by us not less than 90 days or more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the 2010 Annual Meeting. Stockholder proposals should be addressed to Lear Corporation, 21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033, Attention: Terrence B. Larkin, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
OTHER MATTERS
We know of no other matters to be submitted to the stockholders at the 2010 Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, persons named in the proxy intend to vote the shares they represent in accordance with their own judgments.
The SECs rules permit us to deliver a single Notice or set of proxy materials to one address shared by two or more of our stockholders. This delivery method is referred to as householding and can result in significant cost savings. To take advantage of this opportunity, we have delivered only one Notice to multiple stockholders who share an address, unless we received contrary instructions from the impacted stockholders prior to the mailing date. We agree to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the Notice and, if applicable, proxy materials, as requested, to any stockholder at the shared address to which a single copy of these documents was delivered. If you prefer to receive separate copies of the notice, proxy statement or annual report, contact Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. (Broadridge) by calling 1-800-542-1061 or in writing at Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717.
In addition, if two or more stockholders sharing the same address receive multiple copies of our proxy materials and wish to receive only one copy of such materials, stockholders may notify their broker if their shares are held in a brokerage account or may notify us if they hold registered shares. Such registered stockholders may notify us by contacting Broadridge at the above telephone number or address or sending a written request to Lear Corporation, 21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033, Attention: Investor Relations.
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Upon written request by any stockholder entitled to vote at the 2010 Annual Meeting, we will promptly furnish, without charge, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, which we previously filed with the SEC, including financial statements and schedules. If the person requesting the report was not a stockholder of record on March 22, 2010, the request must contain a good faith representation that he or she was a beneficial owner of our common stock at the close of business on that date. Requests should be addressed to Lear Corporation, 21557 Telegraph Road, Southfield, Michigan 48033, Attention: Terrence B. Larkin, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ Terrence B. Larkin
Terrence B. Larkin Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
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LEAR CORPORATION ATTN: INVESTOR RELATIONS 21557 TELEGRAPH ROAD SOUTHFIELD, MI 48033
| VOTE BY INTERNET www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up
until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time on May 12, 2010. Have your proxy card in hand when you
access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic
voting instruction form. |
| --- |
| Electronic Delivery of Future PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can
consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via
e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to
vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy
materials electronically in future years. |
| VOTE BY PHONE -1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern
Daylight Time on May 12, 2010. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the
instructions. |
| VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or
return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way,
Edgewood, NY 11717. |
| TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: x |
|---|
| DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY |
| THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. |
| The Board of Directors recommends you — vote FOR the following proposal(s) : | For | Against | Abstain | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Lear Corporations independent registered public accounting firm for 2010. | o | o | o |
| Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
| For address change/comments, mark here. | o | |
|---|---|---|
| (see reverse for instructions) | ||
| Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting | Yes o | No o |
| Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as | ||
| attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give | ||
| full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All | ||
| holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in | ||
| full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer. |
| Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] | Date | JOB # | Signature (Joint Owners) | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice & Lear Proxy Statement, Lear Annual Report is/are available at www.proxyvote.com .
LEAR CORPORATION This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Lear Corporation for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 13, 2010, at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time).
This proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of Lear Corporation for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 13, 2010 or any adjournment or postponement thereof (the Meeting).
The undersigned appoints Matthew J. Simoncini and Terrence B. Larkin, and each of them, with full power of substitution in each of them, the proxies of the undersigned, and authorizes them to vote for and on behalf of the undersigned all shares of Lear Corporation common stock which the undersigned may be entitled to vote on all matters properly coming before the Meeting, as set forth in the related Notice of Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, both of which have been received by the undersigned.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. If no direction is given, this proxy will be voted FOR proposal 1.
Address Change/Comments:
(If you noted any Address Changes and/or Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.)
Continued and to be signed on reverse side
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