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VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY, INC.

63 LANCASTER AVENUE

MALVERN, PENNSYLVANIA 19355

April 5, 2021

 

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., to be held at 9:00 a.m., U.S. eastern time, on Tuesday, May 25, 2021.

Vishay has adopted a virtual annual meeting in 2021 due to health, transportation, and other logistical issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual meeting will be accessible to stockholders via the Internet at www.virtualshareholdingmeeting.com/VSH2021. To participate, stockholders will need the control number included on the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, on your proxy card or on your voting instruction form. Those without a control number may attend as guests of the meeting, but they will not have the option to vote their shares during the meeting or ask questions during the virtual event.

During the annual meeting, we will discuss each item of business described in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciation for your continued interest in the affairs of Vishay.  We hope you will be able to attend the virtual annual meeting.  Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual annual meeting, and regardless of the number of shares you own, it is important that your shares are represented and voted at the annual meeting.  Therefore, you are encouraged to sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy card in the return envelope provided, or follow the instructions to vote online, so that your shares will be represented and voted at the annual meeting.

Sincerely,

Marc Zandman
Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be Held May 25, 2021.

 

The following materials, also included with this Notice, are available for viewing on the Internet:

Proxy Statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

2020 Annual Report to Stockholders

To view these materials, visit ir.vishay.com.

 

 

VISHAY INTERTECHNOLOGY, INC.

 

NOTICE OF 2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

 

TUESDAY, MAY 25, 2021

Virtual Shareholder Meeting

www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VSH2021

ITEMS OF BUSINESS:

 

1. the election of four directors to hold office until 2024;

2. the ratification of our independent registered public accounting firm;

3. the advisory vote on executive compensation;

4. such other business as may be brought properly before the meeting.

 

ADJOURNMENTS AND POSTPONEMENTS:

 

RECORD DATE:

 

The stockholders of record at the close of business on March 29, 2021 will be entitled to vote at the virtual Annual Meeting or at any adjournment thereof. 

 

VOTING:

 

Whether or not you expect to participate in the online meeting, please complete, date, and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it without delay in the enclosed envelope which requires no additional postage if mailed in the United States. If you are enrolled in our electronic proxy materials delivery service and received these proxy materials via the Internet, you will need to follow the procedures for online voting to vote your shares.

By Order of the Board of Directors,

 

Peter Henrici
Corporate Secretary

Malvern, Pennsylvania

April 5, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

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SECTION
Compensation Tables		46
	Summary Compensation Table	46
	2020 Grants of Plan Based Awards	49
	Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End	50
	2020 Stock Vested	51
	Pension and Retirement Benefits	51
	2020 Pension and Retirement Benefits Table	52
	Non-qualified Deferred Compensation	52
	2020 Non-qualified Deferred Compensation Table	53
	Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control	53
	Median Pay Ratio	57
	2021 Executive Compensation	57
	Additional Information on Equity Compensation Plans	60
Proposal Three – Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation		61
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions		62
About the Meeting		64
	Why did I receive these materials?	64
	What is a proxy?	64
	What is the record date and why is it important?	64
	What is the difference between "Stockholders of Record" and "Beneficial Owners"?	64
	May I attend the annual meeting? What do I need in order to attend the meeting?	64
	What proposals will I be voting on and how does the Board of Directors recommend I vote?	64
	Does Vishay have more than one class of stock outstanding?	64
	What are the voting rights of each class of stock?	65
	What constitutes a quorum?	65
	How are abstentions and broker non-votes considered?	65
	What vote is required to approve each proposal?	65
	Who paid to send me the proxy materials?	66
	How do I vote my shares? Can I vote electronically?	66
	Can I change my vote after I return my proxy card?	67
	What will happen if I provide my proxy but do not vote on a proposal?	67
	What will happen if I do not provide my proxy?	67
	Who will verify the election results?	67
	Are there any stockholders who own more than 5% of Vishay's shares or voting power?	67
Other Matters		68
	Availability of Annual Report and Form 10-K to Stockholders	68
	Stockholder Proposals for 2022 Annual Meeting	68

  

NAME	AGE	DIRECTOR SINCE	TERM EXPIRING	OCCUPATION	QUALIFICATIONS	INDEPENDENT	COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD
							E	A	NCG	CC
Marc Zandman	59	2001	2024	Executive Chairman of the Board, Chief Business Development Officer, Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.	Leadership, Electronics Industry, Company, Global		C
Ruta Zandman	83	2001	2024	Private Stockholder	Leadership, Electronics Industry, Company, Global
Ziv Shoshani	54	2001	2024	President and CEO, Vishay Precision Group, Inc.	Leadership, Electronics Industry, Company, Global
Jeffrey H. Vanneste	61	2019	2024	Retired SVP and CFO, Lear Corporation	Leadership, Complementary Industry, Finance	✓		M(FE)

E	Executive Committee
A	Audit Committee
NCG	Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
CC	Compensation Committee
C	Committee Chair
M	Committee Member
(FE)	Financial Expert

 

  

Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has determined to reappoint the public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2021, as well as to audit the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  Although stockholder approval for the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is not required, we are continuing our practice of submitting the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm to stockholders for their ratification. 

 

 

 

While holders of our common stock and Class B common stock vote together as a single class on most matters, including the election of directors, all of our current directors received a majority of the votes cast by holders of common stock who are unaffiliated with the current Class B stockholders when they last stood for election at an annual meeting of stockholders.

 

•	An annualized cash retainer of $60,000, paid in two semi-annual installments;
•	An additional $10,000 for service on each of the Compensation or Audit Committees;
•	An additional $5,000 for service on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee;
•	An additional $15,000 for the Audit Committee Chair and an additional $5,000 for each of the Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairs; and
•	An annual grant of Restricted Stock Units ("RSUs") on the first stock trading day of the year, determined as a total incentive value of $165,000 divided by the closing stock price of the last trading day of the previous fiscal year, vesting in 3 years or ratably upon earlier cessation of service.

 

 

 

GOVERNANCE OF THE COMPANY

What is corporate governance?

Corporate governance is the process by which companies govern themselves.

At Vishay, day-to-day business activities are carried out by our employees under the direction and supervision of our Chief Executive Officer ("CEO").  The Board of Directors oversees these activities. In doing so, each director is required to use his or her business judgment in the best interests of Vishay and its stockholders. The Board's primary responsibilities include:

 

•	Review of Vishay's performance, strategies, and major decisions;
•	Oversight of Vishay's compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the integrity of its financial statements;
•	Oversight of management, including review of the CEO's performance and succession planning for key management roles;
•	Oversight of risk management; and
•	Oversight of compensation for the CEO, key executives and the Board, as well as oversight of compensation policies and programs for all employees.

 

Additional description of the Board's responsibilities is included in our Corporate Governance Principles, which is available to stockholders on our website and in print upon request, as described below.

Where can I find more information about the corporate governance practices of Vishay?

Various corporate governance related documents are available on our website.  These include:

 

•	Corporate Governance Principles
•	Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
•	Code of Ethics for Financial Officers
•	Audit Committee Charter
•	Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter
•	Compensation Committee Charter
•	Clawback Policy
•	Hedging - Pledging Policy
•	Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Policy Regarding Qualification of Directors
•	Procedures for Securityholders' Submissions of Nominating Recommendations
•	Related Party Transactions Policy
•	Ethics Helpline

 

To view these documents, access ir.Vishay.com and click on "Corporate Governance."  Any of these documents can be obtained in print by any stockholder upon written request to Vishay's investor relations department.

We intend to post any amendments to or any waivers from, a provision of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics or Code of Ethics for Financial Officers on our website.

 

 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with the help of counsel, has reviewed the applicable legal standards for Board and committee member independence, the Company's standards of independence and applied the criteria to determine "audit committee financial expert status". The Committee has also reviewed a summary of the answers to annual questionnaires completed by each director.  On the basis of this review the Committee has communicated its findings to the full Board and the Board has affirmatively concluded that Michael J. Cody, Dr. Abraham Ludomirski, Timothy Talbert, Jeffrey H. Vanneste, Thomas C. Wertheimer, and Raanan Zilberman qualify as independent directors.  Ronald Ruzic qualified as an independent director prior to his retirement from the Board. Each of the Audit Committee, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and the Compensation Committee of the Board is composed entirely of independent directors.

 

How often did the Board meet during 2020?

The Board of Directors met six times during the year ended December 31, 2020.  Regularly scheduled executive sessions of the Board's independent directors were also held.  In 2020, each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of meetings of the Board of Directors and any Committee on which such director served.  Vishay's policy on director attendance at annual meetings of stockholders is included in Vishay's Corporate Governance Principles which may be found on our website at ir.Vishay.com. 

 

 

  

 

(1)	The Executive Committee meets informally throughout the year to discuss various business issues. Informal meetings are not included in the number of meetings disclosed above.

 

 

What is the Board's role in risk oversight?

Management continually monitors the material risks facing the Company, including financial risk, strategic risk, operational risk, and legal and compliance risk. The Board of Directors is responsible for exercising oversight of management's identification and management of, and planning for, those risks. Although the Board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight at the Company, the Board has delegated to certain Committees oversight responsibility for those risks that are directly related to their area of focus.

 

The Audit Committee reviews our policies and guidelines with respect to risk assessment and risk management, including our material financial risk exposures, and oversees the steps management has taken to monitor and control those exposures.

The Compensation Committee considers risk issues when establishing and administering our compensation programs for executive officers and other key personnel.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees corporate governance risks, including matters relating to the composition and organization of the Board and recommends to the Board how its effectiveness can be improved by changes in its composition and organization.

 

Each of these Committees routinely reports to the Board on the management of these specific risk areas. To permit the Board and its Committees to perform their respective risk oversight roles, individual members of management who supervise the Company's risk management report directly to the Board or the relevant Committee of the Board responsible for overseeing the management of specific risks, as applicable.

The Board believes that full and open communication between management and the Board is essential for effective risk management and oversight. Members of the Company's senior management regularly attend Board and Committee meetings and are available to address any questions or concerns raised on matters related to risk management. The Board and its Committees exercise their risk oversight function by carefully evaluating the reports they receive from management and by making inquiries of management with respect to areas of particular interest to the Board.

 

How does the Board select nominees for the Board?

In selecting candidates for nomination at the annual meeting of our stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee begins by determining whether the incumbent directors whose terms expire at the meeting desire and are qualified to continue their service on the Board. We are of the view that the repeated service of qualified incumbents promotes stability and continuity in the boardroom, giving us the benefit of the familiarity and insight into our affairs that our directors have accumulated during their tenure and contributing to the Board's ability to work as a collective body.  Accordingly, it is the policy of the Committee, absent special circumstances, to nominate qualified incumbent directors who continue to satisfy the Committee's criteria for membership on the Board, who the Committee believes will continue to make important contributions to the Board, and who consent to stand for re-election and, if re-elected, to continue their service on the Board.  If there are Board positions for which the Committee will not be re-nominating a qualified incumbent, the Committee will solicit recommendations for nominees from persons who the Committee believes are likely to be familiar with qualified candidates, including members of the Board and senior management.

The Committee may also engage an independent search firm to assist in identifying qualified candidates.  Where such a search firm is engaged, the Committee will set the fees and scope of engagement.  The Committee will review and evaluate each candidate who it believes merits serious consideration, taking into account all available information concerning the candidate, the qualifications for Board membership established by the Committee, the existing composition and mix of talent and expertise on the Board and other factors that it deems relevant.  In conducting its review and evaluation, the Committee may solicit the views of management and other members of the Board and may, if deemed helpful, conduct interviews of proposed candidates.  The Committee will evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as candidates recommended by other persons, except that the Committee may consider, as one of the factors in its evaluation of stockholder recommended candidates, the size and duration of the interest of the recommending stockholder or stockholder group in the equity of Vishay and whether the stockholders or stockholder group intend to continue holding its interest through the annual meeting date.

 

 

What qualifications must a director have?

Candidates for nomination to our Board are selected by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with the Committee's charter, our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, our Bylaws and our Corporate Governance Principles.  Under our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Policy Regarding Qualifications of Directors, which can be found on our website, we require that all candidates for director (including the continued service of existing members) be persons of integrity and sound ethical character; be able to represent all stockholders fairly; have no interests that materially conflict with those of Vishay and its stockholders; have demonstrated professional achievement; have meaningful management, advisory or policy making experience; have a general appreciation of the major business issues facing the Company; and have adequate time to devote to serve on the Board of Directors. When considering nominees, the Committee may also consider whether the candidate possesses the qualifications, experience and skills it considers appropriate in the context of the Board's overall composition and needs.  A limited exception to some of these requirements, other than the requirements of integrity and ethics and the absence of material conflict, may be made for a holder of substantial voting power.  Additionally, directors may not stand for re-election after the age of 75 unless the Board makes an affirmative determination that, because of the importance and value of the continued service of a director, the retirement policy should be waived, and in no event may a director stand for re-election after the age of 85.  This policy does not apply to any person who controls more than 20% of the voting power of the Company. We also require that a majority of directors be independent; at least three of the directors have the financial literacy necessary for service on the Audit Committee and at least one of these directors qualifies as an Audit Committee financial expert; at least some of the independent directors have served as senior executives of public or substantial private companies; and at least some of the independent directors have general familiarity with the industries in which we operate.  Additionally, while the Company does not have a formal policy with respect to the consideration of diversity in identifying director candidates, the benefits of board diversity are considered in the nominations process, including diversity of background and experience. A detailed description of the qualifications required of candidates for director, as well as the specific qualities or skills we believe should be possessed by one or more directors, can be found on our website under our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Policy Regarding Qualifications of Directors.

 

To assist it with its evaluation of the director nominees for election at the 2021 annual meeting of stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee took into account all of the factors listed above.  In the section "Directors", under the heading "Nominees for Terms Expiring 2024", we provide an overview of each nominee's principal occupation, together with the qualifications, key attributes and skills that the Committee and the Board believes will best serve the interests of the Board, the Company and our stockholders.

Can I recommend a nominee for director?

Yes. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider recommendations for director nominations submitted by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Submissions must be made in accordance with the Committee's procedures, as outlined below and set forth on our website.  For each annual meeting of our stockholders, the Committee will accept for consideration only one recommendation from any stockholder or affiliated group of stockholders. The Committee will only consider candidates who satisfy our minimum qualifications for director, as summarized in this proxy statement and as set forth on our website.  In considering a stockholder recommendation, the Committee will take into account, among other factors, the size and duration of the recommending stockholder's ownership interest in Vishay and whether the stockholder intends to continue holding that interest through the annual meeting date.  Stockholders should be aware, as discussed above, that it is our general policy to re-nominate qualified incumbent directors and that, absent special circumstances, the Committee will not consider other candidates when a qualified incumbent director consents to stand for re-election.

A stockholder wishing to recommend to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee a candidate for election as director must submit the recommendation in writing, addressed to the Committee, care of our Corporate Secretary, at Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., 63 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, PA 19355.  Submissions must be made by mail, courier, or personal delivery.  E-mailed submissions will not be considered.  Submissions recommending candidates for election at an annual meeting of stockholders must generally be received no later than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the prior annual meeting of stockholders.  In the event that the date of an annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30 days following the first anniversary date of the annual meeting of stockholders for the prior year, the submission must be made a reasonable time in advance of the mailing of our proxy statement for the current year.   Each nominating recommendation must be accompanied by the information called for by our "Procedures for Securityholders' Submission of Nominating Recommendations," which is posted on our website.  This includes specified information concerning the stockholder or group of stockholders making the recommendation and the proposed nominee, any relationships between the recommending stockholder or stockholders and the proposed nominee and the qualifications of the proposed nominee to serve as director.  The recommendation must also be accompanied by the consent of the proposed nominee to serve if nominated and elected and the agreement of the nominee to be contacted by the Committee, if the Committee decides in its discretion to do so.

 

 

How do stockholders and others communicate with the Board?

Vishay stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors, any Committee of the Board or any individual director, and any interested party may communicate with the independent directors of the Board as a group, by delivering such communications either in writing addressed or by e-mail to:

 

		By Mail				By e-mail
		Corporate Secretary  Vishay Intertechnology, Inc.  63 Lancaster Avenue  Malvern, PA 19355				boardofdirectors@Vishay.com  Communications should not exceed 1,000 words

All communications must be accompanied by the following information: (i) if the person submitting the communication is a securityholder, a statement of the type and amount of the securities of Vishay that the person holds; (ii) if the person submitting the communication is not a securityholder and is submitting the communication to the independent directors as an interested party, the nature of the person's interest in Vishay; (iii) any special interest, meaning an interest not in the capacity as a securityholder of Vishay, of the person in the subject matter of the communication; and (iv) the address, telephone number and e-mail address, if any, of the person submitting the communication.  Communications addressed to directors may, at the direction of the directors, be shared with Vishay's management.

 

 

PROPOSAL ONE

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Our stockholders will be asked to consider four nominees for election to our Board to serve as Class III directors for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2024, and until their successors, if any, are elected or appointed, or their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. The nominees are:

 

Class III nominees:
	Marc Zandman
	Ruta Zandman
	Ziv Shoshani
	Jeffrey H. Vanneste

 

Each nominees' current positions and offices, tenure as a Vishay director, their respective committee memberships, and their qualifications are set forth under "Directors" beginning on page 4. All of the nominees are current Vishay directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviewed the qualifications of each of the nominees and recommended to our Board that each nominee be submitted to a vote of our stockholders at the Annual Meeting.  The Board approved the Committee's recommendation at its meeting on February 23, 2021.

Each of the nominees has agreed to be named and to serve if elected.  If any nominee for director becomes unavailable for election, the proxies will be voted for such substitute nominee(s) as the Board of Directors may propose.  If you voted for the unavailable nominee, your vote will be cast for his or her replacement.  We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve if elected.

 

Under the Company's Corporate Governance Principles, directors may not stand for election or re-election after the age of 75, unless the Board makes an affirmative determination that, because of the importance and value of the continued service of a director, the retirement policy should be waived. In no event may a director stand for re-election after the age of 85.  This policy does not apply to any person who controls more than 20% of the voting power of the Company.

 

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote "FOR ALL" the nominees for election as Class III directors.

 

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and for preparing our consolidated financial statements. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for, among other things, performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and issuing a report thereon.   Our independent registered public accounting firm is also responsible for auditing the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with standards of the PCAOB, and issuing a report thereon.  It is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to monitor and oversee these processes.

In fulfilling its oversight duties, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the following with management and our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP:  (a) the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020; (b) the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; and (c) discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be discussed under PCAOB standards.  These required communications addressed, among other topics, overall audit strategy, timing of the audit, and significant risks identified and any changes thereto; the independent registered public accounting firm's responsibility under the standards of the PCAOB; going concern; significant and critical accounting policies and practices; critical accounting estimates; significant unusual transactions; difficult or contentious matters subject to consultation outside of the audit team; new accounting pronouncements; material alternative accounting treatments; corrected misstatements; uncorrected misstatements considered by management to be immaterial; significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting; other information in documents containing audited financial statements; management's Section 302 disclosures about changes in internal control; additional information included in management's report on internal control; fraud and illegal acts; information relevant to the audit; fees and related SEC disclosures; significant issues discussed with management in connection with the auditor's retention; significant difficulties encountered in performing an audit; disagreements with management; management's consultations with other accountants; other material written communications with management; and AICPA ethics ruling regarding third-party service providers.  The Audit Committee received from the independent registered public accounting firm written disclosures regarding the firm's independence required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm, the firm's independence.  The Audit Committee also considered the compatibility of non-audit services provided to Vishay by Ernst & Young LLP, and the fees and costs billed or to be billed for these services, with the maintenance of the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. The Committee has concluded that the provision of the non-audit services by Ernst & Young LLP in 2020 did not impair the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. (The fees and costs billed by the independent registered public accounting firm for audit and non-audit services in 2020 and 2019 are shown under Proposal Two.) Under the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy that was adopted by the Audit Committee in May 2003 (which was amended and restated in October 2010), the Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided to Vishay by the independent registered public accounting firm.  The policy sets forth the procedures and conditions for pre-approval of these services.  All of the audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm since adoption of the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy were pre-approved by the Committee in accordance with such policy.

 

Based upon the above review and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that our audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021, but the Committee has determined in accordance with our historical practices to submit the appointment for ratification by stockholders (See Proposal Two).

Respectfully submitted,

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

Thomas C. Wertheimer, Chairman

Michael J. Cody

Jeffrey H. Vanneste

 

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of our previous or future filings under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act that might incorporate this proxy statement or future filings with the SEC, in whole or in part, the above report shall not be deemed to be "soliciting material" or "filed" with the SEC and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any such filing.

 

PROPOSAL TWO

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm.  The Committee has determined to reappoint the public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, as well as to audit the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  Although stockholder approval for the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm is not required, we are continuing our practice of submitting the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm to stockholders for their ratification.

Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm continuously since 1968. The Audit Committee believes that the knowledge of the Company's business gained by Ernst & Young LLP through this period of service is valuable.  Pursuant to the SEC rules, the lead partner must be rotated after five years, which provides the Company the benefit of new thinking and approaches.

Representatives of the firm of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

Under the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy that was adopted by the Audit Committee in May 2003 (which was amended and restated in October 2010), the Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided to Vishay by the independent registered public accounting firm.  The policy sets forth the procedures and conditions for pre-approval of these services.  The Audit Committee has pre-approved generally the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for services relating to our filings with the SEC (including comfort letters and consents for securities offerings), acquisition or disposition related diligence activities, internal control review and compliance, interpretation and compliance with accounting and accounting-related disclosure rules and standards, certain attest services, domestic and international tax planning and compliance, and risk management.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP for audit and non-audit services rendered to Vishay in 2020 and 2019.  These fees are categorized as audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees, and all other fees.  The nature of the services provided in each category is described following the table.

 

 

Audit fees. These fees generally consist of professional services rendered for the audits of the consolidated financial statements of Vishay and its internal control over financial reporting, quarterly reviews, statutory audits, issuance of consents, and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC.

Audit-related fees.  These fees generally consist of assurance and other services related to the performance of the audit or review of Vishay's financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.

Tax fees.  These fees generally relate primarily to tax compliance, including review and preparation of corporate and expatriate tax returns, assistance with tax audits, review of the tax treatment for certain expenses, extra-territorial tax analysis, and tax due diligence relating to acquisitions.  They also include fees for state and local tax planning and consultations with respect to various domestic and international tax matters.

All other fees.  These fees generally consist of reviews for compliance with various government regulations, risk management and treasury reviews and assessments and audits of various contractual arrangements.

Vishay did not make use in 2020 of the rule that waives pre-approval requirements for non-audit services in certain cases if the fees for these services constitute less than 5% of the total fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm during the year.

The Audit Committee and the Board of Directors recommend that you vote "FOR" the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021.

 

On March 29, 2021, Vishay had outstanding 132,710,732 shares of common stock, each of which entitles the holder to one vote, and 12,097,148 shares of Class B common stock, each of which entitles the holder to ten votes. Class B shares are transferable only to certain permitted transferees while the common stock is freely transferable.  Class B shares are convertible on a one-for-one basis at any time into shares of common stock.  Transfers of Class B shares other than to permitted transferees result in the automatic conversion of the Class B shares into common stock.  Voting is not cumulative.  The percentage of total voting power below represents voting power with respect to all shares of common stock and Class B common stock, as a single class, calculated on the basis of ten votes per share of Class B common stock and one vote per share of common stock.

The following table shows the number of shares of Vishay common stock and Class B common stock beneficially owned by (a) each director and director nominee, (b) each "Executive Officer" identified under "Executive Compensation," (c) the directors, director nominees, and executive officers of Vishay as a group, and (d) any person owning more than 5% of Vishay common stock or the Class B common stock.  Unless otherwise noted, the information is stated as of March 29, 2021, and the beneficial owners exercise sole voting or dispositive power over their shares.

 

* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding shares of such class or the total voting power, as the case may be.

 

 

Section 16(a) Delinquent Reports

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock to report their ownership of and transactions in our stock in filings with the SEC.  Vishay believes, based solely on a review of our records and other publicly available information, that our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock complied with all applicable Section 16(a) reporting requirements during the year ended December 31, 2020, except for one purchase of 2,000 shares by Mr. Cody which was not timely reported on Form 4.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

No member of the Compensation Committee was at any time during 2020 an officer or employee of Vishay or any of the Company's subsidiaries nor was any such person a former officer of Vishay or any of the Company's subsidiaries.  In addition, no Compensation Committee member is an executive officer of another entity at which one of the Company's executive officers serves on the board of directors.

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information Concerning Executive Officers

The Executive Officers of Vishay along with their respective ages and positions with Vishay, as of March 29, 2021, are as follows:

 

Werner Gebhardt retired from his position as Executive Vice President - Global Human Resources on June 30, 2020.

			Lori Lipcaman was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company effective September 1, 2011. Ms. Lipcaman had been appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer in September 2008. Previously, she served as Vishay's Corporate Senior Vice President, Operations Controller, from March 1998 to September 2008. Prior to that, she served in various positions of increasing responsibility in finance and controlling since joining the Company in May 1989.
			Johan Vandoorn was appointed Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer effective August 1, 2011. Mr. Vandoorn is responsible for Vishay's technical development and internal growth programs. Mr. Vandoorn has held various positions of increasing responsibility since Vishay's acquisition of BCcomponents Holdings BV ("BCcomponents") in 2002, including Executive Vice President – Passive Components (2006 – 2012). Mr. Vandoorn had been Vice President – Global Operations of BCcomponents from 2000 until its acquisition by Vishay, and previously worked for Philips Components ("Philips") from 1980 until Philips sold the BCcomponents business to a private equity firm in 1998.

 

			David Valletta was appointed as Vishay's Executive Vice President – Worldwide Sales effective January 1, 2007. Mr. Valletta has held various positions of increasing responsibility since Vishay's acquisition of Vitramon in 1994. Prior to joining Vitramon, Mr. Valletta also worked for AVX Corporation.  His experience with Vishay includes various positions within the Americas region in direct and distribution sales management and global sales responsibility for the Company's key strategic customers.
			Joel Smejkal was appointed Executive Vice President - Corporate Business Development effective July 1, 2020.  Mr. Smejkal has held various positions of increasing responsibility since joining Vishay in 1990 including Executive Vice President and Business Head Passive Components (2017 - 2020) and Senior Vice President Global Distribution Sales (2012 - 2016).  Mr. Smejkal's experience with Vishay includes worldwide and divisional leadership roles in engineering, marketing, operations and sales.  He was a product developer of 18 U.S. Patents for the Power Metal Strip® resistor technology and brings significant business development, marketing and sales experience.
			Clarence Tse was appointed Executive Vice President and Business Head Semiconductors effective January 1, 2017.  Mr. Tse has held various positions of increasing responsibility since Vishay's acquisition of Siliconix/Telefunken in 1998, including Senior Vice President, Diodes Division (2008 - 2016), Senior Vice President, Power Diodes Division (2002 - 2008) and Vice President, Finance and Administration Asia (1998 - 2001). Mr. Tse was first hired by Siliconix in 1985.

 

 

 

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

 

Overview

The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors establishes and approves all compensation for all Executive Officers and administers Vishay's incentive and equity-based compensation plan.

 

SEC disclosure rules require tabular presentation regarding the compensation of the registrant's principal executive officer ("PEO"), principal financial officer ("PFO"), and the registrant's three mostly highly compensated executive officers other than the PEO and PFO.  Because the Compensation Committee determines compensation for all Executive Officers, this Compensation Discussion and Analysis discusses compensation of all nine of our Executive Officers.  The required "Compensation Tables" beginning on page 46 include only the five executives required to be disclosed in this manner by SEC rules.

 

 

The Compensation Committee, in consultation with Dr. Paul in his capacity as Chief Executive Officer, undertakes an annual review of the compensation arrangements of Vishay's other executive officers.

Performance Philosophy

The Company's compensation philosophy is intended to integrate with its philosophy of evaluating operating performance.  The Company utilizes several measures and metrics to evaluate its performance, as further described in "Performance Measures and Metrics" below, and in turn, the Compensation Committee utilizes similar measures in evaluating executive officer compensation.

The Compensation Committee believes that the elements of compensation for the Company's senior executives reward intrinsically sound management decisions and do not encourage risk taking to enhance short-term profitability at the expense of the long-term health and viability of the enterprise.  While the design of our executive compensation program is primarily performance-based, we do not believe that it encourages excessive risk-taking. The Committee believes that the Company's senior executives have taken a prudent approach to corporate risk management. In addition, the Company has in place a risk management program designed to identify, evaluate and control risks. Through this program, we take a company-wide view of risks and have a network of systems and oversight to insure that risks are not viewed in isolation and are appropriately controlled and reported, including a system of reporting to the full Board and its Committees. We believe that our compensation programs work within this system.

 

In response to current trends in executive compensation practices, as well as SEC rules encouraging more explicit focus on risks arising from compensation policies, Vishay has commenced a practice of more deliberately focusing on the risks, if any, arising from its executive compensation arrangements, and modifying such arrangements to the extent necessary to minimize any such risks.

The factors considered by the Compensation Committee in evaluating the risks arising from compensation arrangements, which have been incorporated into the terms and conditions of such compensation arrangements, include, in no particular weighting or order of prominence:

 

 

Furthermore, with respect to Mr. Zandman and Dr. Paul:

 

•	a meaningful portion of compensation is deferred until retirement or termination of employment under our non-qualified deferred compensation plan; and
•	phantom stock units are only settled upon retirement or termination of employment, thus providing an incentive for the creation of long-term stockholder value.

 

Each of these factors is intended to encourage an appropriate long-term focus, and to align the long-term interests of senior management with those of our stockholders.

Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines

To further align the interests of the Company's executives with its stockholders, the Board adopted stock ownership guidelines in 2021 (the "Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines") applicable to the Company's executive vice presidents (the "Covered Executives").  The Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines are as follows:

•	Each Covered Executive is required to own shares of the Company's common stock having an aggregate fair market value equal to or greater than one (1) time the Covered Executive's base salary as of the Measurement Date (market close on the first trading day in March of each calendar year); and
•	Individuals that are Covered Executives as of the date the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines were adopted will have until the first trading day in March of 2026 to attain the specified level of equity ownership. Any individual who becomes a Covered Executive later will have until the first Measurement Date that occurs at least five years from the date he or she became a Covered Executive to attain the specified level of equity ownership.
•	Following the 5-year phase-in period, Covered Executives who do not meet the required ownership threshold will be generally prohibited from selling stock acquired through equity awards.
•	The following will be considered "owned" for the purposes of the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines:
	•	all shares underlying time-based equity awards, whether or not vested
	•	only vested shares underlying performance-based equity awards
	•	shares held outright or beneficially owned by the Covered Executive, his or her spouse and minor children, or an trust for the benefit of these individuals

 

Performance Measures and Metrics

Like its peers in the electronics industry, the Company has historically gauged its overall performance in accordance with what it terms "adjusted net earnings."  The Company uses this term to mean net earnings determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") adjusted for various items that management believes are not indicative of the intrinsic operating performance of the Company's business, as detailed below.   Non-GAAP measures such as "adjusted net earnings" do not have uniform definitions and may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.  Reconciling items to arrive at adjusted net earnings represent significant charges or credits that are important to understanding our intrinsic operations.  The bonuses for the Executive Officers under the Company's cash bonus plans discussed below, including the Vishay Intertechnology Section 162(m) Cash Bonus Plan, were based primarily on this performance metric.  Adjusted net earnings and/or adjusted earnings per share, for a multi-year period, are also used in connection with performance-based RSUs for all Executive Officers.

Adjusted net earnings for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows (in thousands, except per share):

 

 

 

The Company also measures its overall performance based on "free cash."  The Company uses this term to mean the cash flows generated from continuing operations less capital expenditures plus net proceeds from the sale of assets.   This metric is a component of the incentive compensation structures for Ms. Lipcaman and Messrs. Vandoorn and Valletta.  This same metric, for a multi-year period, is also used in connection with performance-based RSUs granted for all Executive Officers.  Although the term "free cash" is not defined in GAAP, each of the elements used to calculate "free cash" is presented as a line item on the face of our consolidated statement of cash flows prepared in accordance with GAAP as follows:

 

 

At the grant date, the Compensation Committee may provide for certain pre-defined adjustments to this metric.  For the performance-based RSU's granted in 2020, the free cash target measure was adjusted by adding the total cash paid pursuant to restructuring programs disclosed in the notes to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

 

The 2020 incentive compensation structures for Ms. Lipcaman and Messrs. Vandoorn, Valletta, Smejkal, and Tse were tailored to their specific responsibilities.  The following measures and metrics were utilized in determining the incentive compensation payable to these Executive Officers for 2020:

 

 

Third party net sales is an amount determined in accordance with GAAP which is reported in our consolidated financial statements, included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Variable margin is a cost accounting metric which represents third party net sales less manufacturing costs which vary in a direct relationship with volume (in other words, excluding fixed manufacturing costs such as depreciation and overhead).

Gross profit margin is computed as gross profit as a percentage of net revenues. Gross profit is generally net revenues less costs of products sold, but also deducts certain other period costs, particularly losses on purchase commitments and inventory write-downs. Gross profit margin is clearly a function of net revenues, but also reflects our cost management programs and our ability to contain fixed costs.

 

Segment operating income is computed as operating income less such selling, general, and administrative costs as global operations, sales and marketing, information systems, finance and administration groups, as well as restructuring and severance costs, the direct impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and other items affecting comparability.

 

Divisional cash flow is generally computed as the segment operating income plus depreciation and less capital expenditures.  Adjustments are also made for certain non-cash items such as foreign currency effects.

Base Salary

 

The minimum base salary levels for the Executive Officers are fixed in their respective employment agreements.  The Compensation Committee determined the minimum base salaries, based upon the executives' salary level, present responsibilities, expectations with respect to future responsibilities and a comparison to peer group executive salaries. The Compensation Committee selected the group of peer group companies on the advice of its compensation consultant.  Compensation practices in the peer group were only one of the factors considered by the Compensation Committee.  The base salaries of Dr. Paul, Ms. Lipcaman, and Messrs. Vandoorn and Randebrock are denominated in euro, the base salaries of Messrs. Zandman and Webster are denominated in Israeli shekels, and the base salary of Mr. Tse is denominated in Taiwanese dollars.  A portion of the change in the salaries for these Executive Officers expressed in terms of U.S. dollars reflects the fluctuations of the dollar against the currencies of the home jurisdiction of these executives.

 

NAME		2020 BASE SALARY
Marc Zandman		ILS 3,861,423 (approximately $1,122,000)(1)
Dr. Gerald Paul		€1,070,648 (approximately $1,220,000)(2)
Lori Lipcaman		€448,256 (approximately $511,000)(2)
Johan Vandoorn		€503,432 (approximately $573,000)(2)
David Valletta		$548,903
Joel Smejkal		$511,966(3)
Clarence Tse		TWD 18,870,506 (approximately $638,000)(4)
Jeff Webster		ILS 1,526,175 (approximately $443,000)(1)(5)
Andreas Randebrock		€325,000 (approximately $370,000)(2)(5)

 

Incentive compensation

 

The Company maintains a cash bonus plan, the Vishay Intertechnology Section 162(m) Cash Bonus Plan (the "Cash Bonus Plan").

The Cash Bonus Plan was intended to qualify as a "performance-based" plan under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code.  To qualify under Section 162(m), stockholder approval was required for any material amendment to the Cash Bonus Plan and the plan generally had to be re-approved by the stockholders every five years.  The amended and restated Cash Bonus Plan was last approved by stockholders at the 2017 annual meeting.  The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") was enacted on December 22, 2017.  Included in the TCJA are many changes in tax laws regarding executive compensation, including the removal of the exemption for "qualified performance-based compensation" previously included in Section 162(m). Nonetheless, the executive officers continue to receive a portion of their incentive compensation through the Cash Bonus Plan. 

The incentive compensation under the Cash Bonus Plan provides an annual cash bonus as a percentage of our "adjusted net earnings," as described below. Over many years, we have viewed adjusted net earnings as the primary indicator of the performance of our executive management team.  As more specifically addressed below, adjusted net earnings refers to net earnings determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted to eliminate the after tax effects of items, positive or negative, that do not relate to our intrinsic operations.  These items include, among others, goodwill and long-lived asset impairment charges, severance and restructuring costs, special tax items, and other items, such as unusual gains or losses that impact GAAP net earnings, not reflecting on-going operating activities.  The calculation of adjusted net earnings is set forth in our annual report on Form 10-K as well as under the heading "Performance Measures and Metrics" in this proxy statement.  We utilize this measure in part because it eliminates factors that mask the actual performance of on-going operations and because of its currency with other public companies in our industry.  Accordingly, the Compensation Committee determined that the incentive compensation of Dr. Paul and Mr. Zandman should be primarily in the form of a percentage of adjusted net earnings, with a cap (three times salary) to avoid compensation that in fact or in appearance might be deemed excessive.  There is no minimum adjusted net earnings threshold, and accordingly, the bonuses for Dr. Paul and Mr. Zandman begin to accrue with the first dollar of adjusted net earnings.

 

Dr. Paul's bonus is equal to 1.25% of adjusted net earnings.  Mr. Zandman's annual bonus is equal to 1.0% of adjusted net earnings. 

 

Under their respective employment agreements, Ms. Lipcaman, and Messrs. Vandoorn, Valletta, Smejkal, Tse, Webster, and Randebrock are each eligible to receive a performance bonus, based on the Company's overall and their individual performances.  Ms. Lipcaman, and Messrs. Vandoorn, Valletta, Smejkal, and Tse, and beginning in 2021, Messrs. Webster and Randebrock, each have a maximum annual bonus opportunity of 100% of their respective base salaries.  One element of the annual bonuses for Executive Officers, other than Dr. Paul and Mr. Zandman, is a straight percentage of adjusted net earnings pursuant to the Cash Bonus Plan, and other elements of such bonuses are expressed as a percentage of base salary, measured against specific performance goals.  Performance goals for purposes of the annual bonus award are recommended by the Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Compensation Committee. The portions of such bonuses that are a straight percentage of adjusted net earnings for these Executive Officers are included in the Cash Bonus Plan.

 

The bonuses earned for each Executive Officer in 2020 under the Cash Bonus Plan were as follows:

 

NAME		PERCENTAGE OF ADJUSTED NET EARNINGS		DOLLAR VALUE ($)
Marc Zandman		1.00%		1,340,500
Dr. Gerald Paul		1.25%		1,675,625
Lori Lipcaman		0.15%		201,075
Johan Vandoorn		0.10%		134,050
David Valletta		0.05%		67,025
Joel Smejkal		0.07%		93,835
Clarence Tse		0.07%		93,835
Jeff Webster(1)		N/A		-
Andreas Randebrock(1)		N/A		-
(1) Bonuses earned outside of Cash Bonus Plan, as noted on page 28, because they were established before Messrs. Webster and Randebrock were appointed as executive officers.

 

The performance of the Executive Officers other than Mr. Zandman and Dr. Paul is reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer and the Compensation Committee following the end of the year, and each executive is assigned a performance score for several categories.  For a discussion of 2020 goals and achieved results for the other Executive Officers, see "Evaluation of Achievements for Cash Performance-Based Incentive Compensation."

 

The number of RSUs granted was determined by multiplying the executive's base salary for 2020 by the respective percentage set forth above and dividing by the closing price of the common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day in 2019. The time-vested RSUs carry only a service condition and vest on January 1 of the third year following the grant.  The PBRSUs include performance conditions agreed to with the Compensation Committee in its role as administrator of the 2007 Program (based on adjusted net earnings, adjusted earnings per share, and/or free cash over a three year period).  Performance-based targets related to the PBRSUs are set at levels intended to be attainable without the need to take inappropriate risks. The PBRSUs contain a three-year service period and are subject to the Compensation Committee certifying that all performance criteria have been satisfied. Fifty percent of the PBRSUs will vest if 70% of the applicable objective is met, and the proportion of PBRSUs subject to such criterion will increase ratably (between 70% and 100% achievement). 

 

With respect to our Executive Officers, time-based vesting conditions will be deemed satisfied, and performance-based vesting conditions will remain in effect, upon the executive's death, disability, termination without cause, resignation with "good reason;" or resignation for any reason following the attainment of age 62 (except where cause exists).  In the event of voluntary termination by the executive before age 62 (without "good reason") or termination for cause, the executive's outstanding RSUs (including PBRSUs) will be forfeited. For financial accounting purposes, the grant-date fair value is determined on the date that the Compensation Committee approves the number of RSUs to be granted under this provision.  Accordingly, the value of the grant on that date will be different than the LTI value described in the table above.

 

Any RSUs granted to such executive officers that remain outstanding at the time of such executive officer's retirement after age 62 in accordance with the terms of his or her employment agreement with the Company shall, in the case of time-vested RSUs, become fully vested upon such retirement and, in the case of PBRSUs, vest if and to the extent the applicable performance criteria are met in accordance with current vesting schedules. These modifications are included in amended and restated employment agreements of these executive officers.

 

 

Phantom stock units

A phantom stock unit is the right to receive a share of common stock upon termination of employment.  Pursuant to their employment agreements, Dr. Paul and Mr. Zandman receive annual grants of 5,000 phantom stock units.  The grants are made under the 2007 Program.

Dr. Paul and Mr. Zandman receive dividend equivalents in the form of additional phantom stock units each time the Company pays a dividend on its common stock.

Similar to the deferred cash compensation described below, the Compensation Committee considers the grant of phantom stock units in the nature of a retirement benefit and an inducement to loyalty to Vishay over time.

 

The number of units to be granted annually was determined at the inception of the 2004 agreements.  The cumulative increase in the number of phantom stock units held by the executives over time also is intended to strengthen the alignment of executive and stockholder interests in the long-term appreciation of Vishay's equity value.

No other Executive Officer currently receives phantom stock units.

 

The Compensation Committee also considers the award of extra-contractual equity-based compensation, when appropriate.  However, no such additional equity awards were granted to any Executive Officer in 2020.

 

Deferred compensation

Executives are eligible to participate in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, which is available to all employees who meet certain criteria under the Internal Revenue Code.  Vishay annually contributes $100,000 for each of Dr. Paul and Mr. Zandman, pursuant to their respective employment agreements.  Mr. Valletta is eligible for contributions pursuant to the deferred compensation plan, similar to all eligible plan participants who formerly participated in the frozen Vishay Non-qualified Retirement Plan.  Mr. Webster has a vested balance in the deferred compensation plan. The remaining Executive Officers do not participate in the deferred compensation plan.

Amounts contributed to these plans prior to January 1, 2005 were deemed deferred until retirement or termination of employment.  Amounts contributed by employees after January 1, 2005 may have shorter deferral periods. Amounts contributed by the Company after January 1, 2005 are generally deferred until retirement or termination of employment. To the extent required to avoid tax penalties, the deferred amounts are not paid until six months after the termination of employment.

 

As noted, Dr. Paul and Mr. Zandman each have a long-standing relationship with the Company, and we expect that each will continue to serve Vishay for so long as their services are desired and they can make effective management contributions.  The Compensation Committee therefore considers this deferred compensation in the nature of a retirement benefit and an anticipatory reward for loyalty to Vishay over time. 

 

While deferred, amounts are credited with "earnings" based on the performance of notional investment options available under the plan.  No portion of the earnings credited during 2020 was "above market" or "preferential."

 

 

 

Retirement benefits

The Compensation Committee believes that providing adequate postretirement benefits commensurate with position is essential to retaining qualified individuals for long-term employment.  Vishay maintains pension and retirement programs for, or makes certain government retirement programs available to, most of its employees around the world, including its Executive Officers.  The retirement benefits for Executive Officers pursuant to these programs are not materially preferential to those of other employees in those respective countries.

As part of the amendments to the employment agreements for Dr. Paul and Mr. Zandman in 2010, the Compensation Committee determined to extend the severance benefits for these executives to also include any termination (other than for cause) after age 62.  This provision was added in light of the long-standing tenure of these executives and to ensure a smooth transition upon their retirement.

Perquisites

We provide executive officers with perquisites and other personal benefits that Vishay and the Compensation Committee believe are reasonable and consistent with our overall compensation program.  These perquisites are not intended, however, to constitute a material portion of the executive's compensation package.  In general, the perquisites, while not integral to the performance of an executive's duties, must bear some relationship to the executive's employment and be of perceived benefit to Vishay.  The Compensation Committee periodically reviews the levels of perquisites and other personal benefits provided to Executive Officers.

Severance

 

The Compensation Committee believes that severance payments in the event of an involuntary termination of employment are part of a standard compensation package for senior executives.  The terms of these severance provisions are discussed in "Potential Payments Upon Termination or a Change in Control."

 

Special Bonuses

 

In certain situations, the Board of Directors will award special, one-time bonuses. No special bonuses were awarded in 2020.