UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
☒ Filed by the Registrant
☐ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant
Check the appropriate box:
☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☒ Definitive Proxy Statement
☐ Definitive Additional Materials
☐ Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 240.14a-12
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL
(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):
☒ No fee required.
☐ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
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Total fee paid: _____________
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☐ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials:
☐ Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To Be Held On December 8, 2021
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Trio‑Tech International, a California corporation (the “Company”), will be held at our principal executive office, located at Block 1008 Toa Payoh North #03-09 Singapore 318996, on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. Pacific Standard Time (which is Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 1:00 A.M. local Singapore time (subject to daylight saving time zone difference)) for the following purposes, as set forth in the attached Proxy Statement:
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Election of directors to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders;
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An amendment to the 2017 Employee Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under options (including incentive stock options) issued pursuant thereto from 300,000 shares to 600,000 shares; and
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Transaction of such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”) has fixed the close of business on October 13, 2021 as the record date for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment and postponements thereof.
The Securities and Exchange Commission permits proxy materials to be furnished over the Internet rather than in paper form. Accordingly, most shareholders will receive a notice in the mail regarding the availability of this proxy statement, Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2021 and other proxy materials (the "Notice") via Internet. This electronic process provides fast, convenient access to the materials, reduces the impact on the environment and reduces our printing and mailing costs. If you received a Notice by mail, you will not receive a printed copy of the proxy materials in the mail. The Notice instructs you on how to access and review all of the important information contained in the Proxy Statement and Annual Report. The Notice also instructs you on how you may submit your vote over the Internet. If you would like to receive a printed copy of the proxy materials, please follow the instructions for requesting such materials included in the Notice.
Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting or not, please vote by telephone or electronically via the Internet. Alternatively, if you received a paper copy, you may sign, and date the enclosed Proxy Card and return it without delay in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope. If you do attend the Annual Meeting, you may withdraw your Proxy and vote personally on each matter brought before the meeting.
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By Order of the Board of Directors
A. CHARLES WILSON
Chairman
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October 20, 2021
IMPORTANT
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE MEETING, YOU ARE REQUESTED TO VOTE PROMPTLY OVER THE INTERNET, BY TELEPHONE, OR IF YOU REQUESTED TO RECEIVE PRINTED PROXY MATERIALS, BY MAILING A PROXY OR VOTING INSTRUCTION CARD IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE-PREPAID RETURN ENVELOPE TO ENSURE YOUR REPRESENTATION AT THE MEETING.
THANK YOU FOR ACTING PROMPTLY
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholder Meeting to be held on December 8, 2021: The Proxy Statement and our 2021 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at http://www.triotech.com/investors/, which does not have “cookies” that identify visitors to the site.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
OF
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL
To Be Held on December 8, 2021
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of the enclosed Proxy on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Trio‑Tech International, a California corporation (“Trio‑Tech” or the “Company”), for use at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at our principal executive office, located at Block 1008 Toa Payoh North #03-09 Singapore 318996, on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 10:00 A.M. Pacific Standard Time; which is Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 1:00 A.M. local Singapore time (subject to daylight saving time zone difference), for the purposes of electing directors and such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. The Company is requiring that all persons attending the meeting at the corporate offices wear a mask, and the Company will have masks available for anyone who does not bring one. Stockholders who refuse to wear a mask will not be admitted.
For directions to our principal executive office, please call our principal executive office at (+65) 6265-3300 or via email at CRT.Reports@triotech.com.sg. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed proxy card are intended to be electronically available to shareholders on or about October 20, 2021.
Record Date and Voting Securities
The Board of Directors fixed the close of business on October 13, 2021 as the record date for shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of that date, there were 3,913,055 shares of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”) outstanding and entitled to vote, the holders of which are entitled to one vote per share.
Voting Generally
The presence in person or by proxy of holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
Because a shareholder’s broker may not vote on behalf of the shareholder on the election of directors or on Proposals 2 described in this Proxy Statement unless the shareholder provides specific instructions by completing and returning the voting instruction form, for a shareholder’s vote to be counted, we ask that our shareholders communicate their voting decisions to the broker or other nominee before the date of the Annual Meeting or give a proxy to vote their shares at the meeting.
In the election of directors, a shareholder may cumulate his/her votes for one or more candidates, but only if each such candidate’s name has been placed in nomination prior to the voting and the shareholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of his intention to cumulate his votes. If any shareholder has given such notice, all shareholders may cumulate their votes for the candidates in nomination. If the voting for directors is conducted by cumulative voting, each share will be entitled to a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected. These votes may be cast for a single candidate or may be distributed among two or more candidates in such proportions as the shareholder thinks fit. The five candidates receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected. Abstentions will be counted for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but votes against a candidate or withheld from voting (whether by abstention, broker non-votes or otherwise) will not be counted and will have no legal effect on the vote. Discretionary authority to cumulate votes is solicited hereby.
Approval of the amendment to the 2017 Employee Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under options (including incentive stock options) issued pursuant thereto from 300,000 shares to 600,000 shares requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented at the meeting and entitled to vote on that proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be voted for or against the proposal. Because abstentions from voting will be considered shares present at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote, the abstentions will have the effect of a negative vote as a majority of the shares represented at the meeting is required for approval of the amendment to the 2017 Employee Equity Incentive Plan. Because broker non-votes are not included in the determination of the number of shares present at the meeting and entitled to vote, broker non-votes will have no legal effect on that vote.
Deadline for Voting by Proxy
In order to be counted, votes cast by proxy must be received prior to the Annual Meeting.
Revocability of Proxies
Any Proxy given may be revoked by the shareholder at any time before it is voted by delivering written notice of revocation to Ms. Spring Liu, the Secretary of the Company, by filing with the Secretary of the Company a Proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person. All Proxies properly executed and returned will be voted in accordance with the instructions specified thereon. If no instructions are specified, Proxies will be voted FOR Proposal 1, the election of the five nominees for directors named under “Election of Directors”, and FOR Proposal 2, the proposed increase in the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the options (including incentive stock options) under the 2017 Employee Equity Incentive Plan from 300,000 shares to 600,000 shares.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Information With Respect to Directors
A majority of the independent directors of our Board has nominated the persons listed below for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting, to hold office until the next Annual Meeting and until their respective successors are elected and qualified. There is one vacancy on the Board of Directors. The Board does not intend to fill the vacancy at this time due to the costs associated therewith. It is intended that the Proxies received, unless otherwise specified, will be voted FOR the five nominees named below, all of whom are incumbent directors of the Company and, with the exception of Mr. Yong and Mr. Ting, are “independent” as specified in Section 803 of the NYSE American (formerly The NYSE MKT) rules and Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). It is not contemplated that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve as a director but, if that should occur, the persons designated as proxies will vote in accordance with their best judgment. In no event will Proxies be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named in this Proxy Statement. The following chart and accompanying narrative set forth, as of October 13, 2021, the names of each of the five nominees for election as a director, his principal occupation, age, the year he became a director of the Company, and additional biographical data.
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NAME
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AGE
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PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION
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A. Charles Wilson
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Chairman of the Board of Trio‑Tech International
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Chairman of the Board of Ernest Packaging Solutions
Chairman of the Board of Daico Industries
Attorney at Law and Business Consultant
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S. W. Yong
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Chief Executive Officer and President of Trio‑Tech International
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Richard M. Horowitz
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President of Management Brokers, Inc.
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Jason T. Adelman
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Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Burnham Hill Capital Group LLC
Director of Glowpoint Inc.
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Victor H. M. Ting
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Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Vice President of Trio-Tech International
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A. Charles Wilson
Mr. Wilson has served as a director of Trio‑Tech since 1966, and was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1981 to 1989. In 1989, he was elected Chairman of the Board. Mr. Wilson is also Chairman of the Board of Ernest Packaging Solutions and is Chairman of the Board of Daico Industries as well as an attorney admitted to practice law in California and a business consultant.
In determining that Mr. Wilson should serve on the Company’s Board of Directors, the Board has considered, among other qualifications, his professional background and experience, his leadership skills as a result of his nine years serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, his service as a chairman on other corporate boards and his broad range of knowledge of the Company’s history and business through his 55 years of service as a director of the Company.
S. W. Yong
Mr. Yong has been a director, Chief Executive Officer and President of Trio‑Tech since 1990. He joined Trio‑Tech International Pte. Ltd. in Singapore in 1976 and was appointed as its Managing Director in August 1980. Mr. Yong holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, a Graduate Diploma in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Industrial Management.
In determining that Mr. Yong should serve on the Company’s Board of Directors, the Board has considered, among other qualifications, his 45 years of history with the Company, his intimate knowledge of the Company’s business and operations and the markets in which the Company operates, as well as the Company’s customers and suppliers, and his detailed in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities, and challenges facing the Company and its principal industries.
Richard M. Horowitz
Mr. Horowitz has served as a director of Trio‑Tech since 1990. He has been President of Management Brokers Insurance, Inc. since 1974. Mr. Horowitz holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Pepperdine University. Mr. Horowitz was the subject of an SEC administrative proceeding arising out of the sale of certain annuity products in 2007 by Management Brokers Insurance, Inc. The proceeding was wholly unrelated to the Company’s business and was settled in March 2014 without requiring Mr. Horowitz to admit to any of the allegations. The Board believes that the proceeding and the actions alleged thereunder do not impinge upon Mr. Horowitz’s ability or integrity as a director of the Company.
In determining that Mr. Horowitz should serve on the Company’s Board of Directors, the Board has considered, among other qualifications, his extensive experience and expertise in administration and management based on his position as President of Management Brokers, Inc. for more than 47 years and his broad range of knowledge of the Company’s history and business through his 31 years of service as a director of the Company.
Jason T. Adelman
Mr. Adelman was elected to the Board of Trio‐-Tech in April 1997. Mr. Adelman is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Burnham Hill Capital Group, LLC, a privately held financial services holding company headquartered in New York City. Mr. Adelman serves as Managing Member of Cipher Capital Partners LLC, a private investment fund. Prior to founding Burnham Hill Capital Group, LLC in 2003, Mr. Adelman served as Managing Director of Investment Banking at H.C. Wainwright and Co., Inc. Mr. Adelman graduated Cum Laude with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania and earned a JD from Cornell Law School where he served as Editor of the Cornell International Law Journal. In 2019, Mr. Adelman has been appointed to Glowpoint’s Board of Directors.
In determining that Mr. Adelman should serve on the Company’s Board of Directors, the Board has considered, among other qualifications, his experience and expertise in finance, accounting, banking and management based on his positions as Chief Executive Officer of Burnham Hill Capital Group LLC for 18 years, and Managing Member of Cipher Capital Partners LLC as well as his position as Managing Director of Investment Banking in the New York offices of H. C. Wainwright & Co.
Victor H. M. Ting
Mr. Ting was appointed as a director of Trio‑Tech on September 16, 2010. Mr. Ting is the Corporate Vice‑President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Ting joined Trio‑Tech as the Financial Controller for the Company’s Singapore subsidiary in 1980. He was promoted to the level of Business Manager during 1985, in December 1989 he was promoted to the level of Director of Finance and Sales & Marketing, and later he was promoted to the level of General Manager of the Singapore subsidiary. Mr. Ting was elected Vice‑President and Chief Financial Officer of Trio‑Tech International in November 1992. Mr. Ting holds a Bachelor of Accountancy Degree and Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
In determining that Mr. Ting should serve on the Company’s Board of Directors, the Board has considered, among other qualifications, his expertise in finance, accounting and management based on his 29 years of history as Vice‑President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company and his intimate knowledge of the Company’s operations.
Vote Required for Election
The five persons receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be elected as directors of the Company. Votes against a nominee or withheld from voting (whether by abstention, broker non-votes or otherwise) will have no legal effect on the vote.
The Board recommends a vote FOR each of the nominees for director.
PROPOSAL 2
APPROVE AMENDMENT TO 2017 EMPLOYEE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
On December 4, 2017, shareholders approved the adoption of the 2017 Employee Equity Incentive Plan (“2017 Employee Plan”). The purpose of the 2017 Employee Plan is to encourage selected employees, consultants and advisors to improve operations and increase profits of the Company and to accept or continue employment or association with the Company or its affiliates, to increase the interest of such persons in the Company’s welfare through participation in the growth in value of the Company’s Common Stock, and to enable the Company to attract and retain top-quality employees, officer, and consultants and provide them with an incentive to enhance shareholder return. Up to 300,000 shares of Common Stock (subject to adjustment in the event of stock splits and other similar events) were initially issuable pursuant to awards (including incentive stock options) granted under the 2017 Employee Plan.
The Board of Directors believes that the 2017 Employee Plan has proved to be of substantial value in incentivizing employees of the Company by aligning a portion of their compensation with the interest of the shareholders of the Company. As of October 20, 2021, there were only 33,000 shares available for grant under the 2017 Employee Plan. Thus, on October 20, 2021, the Board of Directs adopted an amendment to the 2017 Employee Plan, subject to shareholder approval, to increase the number of shares that may be issued under options (including incentive stock options) under the 2017 Employee Plan from 300,000 shares to 600,000 shares of Common Stock. No other changes are proposed to be made to the terms of 2017 Employee Plan.
A summary of the principal provisions of the 2017 Employee Plan is set forth below:
Description of the 2017 Employee Plan
The 2017 Employee Plan provides for the grant of options to selected employees, consultants and advisers of the Company to purchase up to an aggregate of 300,000 shares of Common Stock. No eligible person may be granted options during any twelve-month period covering more than 100,000 shares. The 2017 Employee Plan may be administered by the Board of Directors or a committee of the Board (the “Administrator”) and currently is administered by the Board of Directors. The Administrator has have complete discretion to select the optionees and to establish the terms and conditions of each option, subject to the provisions of the 2017 Employee Plan. Options granted under the 2017 Employee Plan may be “incentive stock options” as defined in Section 422 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or nonqualified options, and will be designated as such.
The exercise price of options granted under the 2017 Employee Plan may be not less than the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. Fair market value will be determined as provided in the 2017 Employee Plan, which valuation methodology is intended to come within the parameters of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder. The exercise price of options intended to be incentive stock options must be 110% of fair market value if such option is granted to an employee who holds more than 10% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s voting securities.
In accordance with the rules under the Code for incentive stock options, the 2017 Employee Plan provides that incentive stock options granted to any particular employee under the 2017 Employee Plan or any other incentive option plan adopted by the Company may not become exercisable for more than $100,000 in fair market value of the stock (measured on the grant date) in any calendar year. If incentive stock options granted to one optionee would become exercisable for more than $100,000 in a calendar year, then the exercisability of such incentive stock option will be deferred to the extent necessary to satisfy the $100,000 limit. This restriction does not apply to nonqualified options, which may be granted without regard to any limitation on the amount of the stock for which the option may become exercisable in any calendar year.
In general, upon termination of employment of an optionee, all options granted to such person which were not exercisable on the date of such termination will immediately terminate, and any options that are exercisable on such termination date will be exercisable for a period of three months (six months in the case of termination by reason of death or disability) following termination of employment.
Options may not be exercised more than ten years after the date of grant (five years after the date of grant if the grant is an incentive stock option to an employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company). Options granted under the 2017 Employee Plan are not transferable and may be exercised only by the respective optionees during their lifetime or by their heirs, executors or administrators in the event of death. The exercise price under any option may be paid in cash, cashless exercise, or shares of Common Stock already owned, as may be determined by the Administrator. Under the 2017 Employee Plan, shares subject to canceled or terminated options are available for subsequently granted options. The number of options outstanding and the exercise price thereof are subject to adjustment in the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock by reason of stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits, split-ups, consolidations, recapitalizations, reorganizations or like events. The 2017 Employee Plan is effective for ten years, unless sooner terminated or suspended. The 2017 Employee Plan provides that no person shall be granted options covering more than 100,000 shares of Common Stock during any twelve month period.
The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or discontinue the 2017 Employee Plan. Without the consent of an optionee, no amendment, alteration, suspension or discontinuance may adversely affect outstanding options except to conform to the 2017 Employee Plan and options granted hereunder to the requirements of federal or other tax laws relating to such stock options. No amendment, alteration, suspension or discontinuance will require shareholder approval unless (a) shareholder approval is required to preserve incentive stock option treatment for federal income tax purposes, or (b) the Board otherwise concludes that shareholder approval is advisable. However, no amendment will, without the approval of the shareholders of the Company, effectuate a change for which shareholder approval is required in order for the 2017 Employee Plan to continue to qualify under Rule 16b-3 (while it is in effect) promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor rule thereto.
The closing sales price of the Company’s Common Stock as reported on the NYSE American on October 13, 2021 was $4.54. As of such date, there were approximately 10 persons eligible to participate in the 2017 Employee Plan.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences
The following is a brief summary of the principal federal income tax consequences to the Company and an eligible person (who is a citizen or resident of the United States for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of nonqualified options and incentive stock options granted under the 2017 Employee Plan. The summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other things, does not describe state, local or foreign tax consequences. The federal income tax consequences of an eligible optionee’s award under the 2017 Employee Plan are complex, are subject to change and differ from person to person. Each optionee should consult with his or her own tax adviser as to his or her own particular situation.
This discussion is based on the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, Internal Revenue Service rulings, judicial decisions and administrative rulings as of the date of this Proxy Statement, all of which are subject to change or differing interpretations, including changes and interpretations with retroactive effect. No assurance can be given that the tax treatment described herein will remain unchanged at the time that grants of incentive stock options and/or nonqualified options are made under the 2017 Employee Plan.
Nonqualified Options. An optionee generally recognizes no taxable income as the result of the grant of a nonqualified option. Upon exercise of such an option, the optionee generally recognizes ordinary income in the amount of the excess of the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise over the option price for such shares. Upon the sale of stock acquired by the exercise of a nonqualified option, any gain or loss, based on the difference between the sale price and the amount recognized as ordinary income upon exercise of the option, will be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain or loss, depending upon the length of time the optionee has held the stock from the date of exercise. Special rules apply under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act if a participant exercises an option within six months of the date of grant.
No tax deduction is available to the Company upon either the grant of a nonqualified option or the sale of stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of such option. Subject to the limits on deductibility of employee remuneration under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Company will generally be entitled to a tax deduction at the time the nonqualified option is exercised in an amount equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the optionee. Nonqualified options granted to executive officers under the 2017 Employee Plan are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code, and the Company should be entitled to a tax deduction in the amount of ordinary income recognized by such officers upon the exercise of the options. However, no tax authority or court has ruled on the applicability of Section 162(m) to the 2017 Employee Plan. The Company retains the right to grant options under the 2017 Employee Plan in accordance with the terms of the 2017 Employee Plan regardless of whether the Internal Revenue Service or a court having final jurisdiction with respect to the matter ultimately determines that the nonqualified options granted to executive officers are not deductible under Section 162(m) of the Code.
Incentive Stock Options. Upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option, the optionee thereof will not recognize any income for regular federal income tax purposes. If an optionee exercises an incentive stock option and retains the shares received for at least two years after the date of grant of such option and at least one year from the date of the option exercise, any gain realized upon the subsequent sale of the shares will be characterized as long term capital gain. If an optionee disposes of shares acquired upon exercise of an incentive stock option within two years after the date of grant of such option or within one year after the date of exercise of such option, the disposition will be treated as a disqualifying disposition and an amount equal to the lesser of (1) the fair market value of the shares on the date of exercise minus the purchase price, or (2) the amount realized on the disposition minus the purchase price, will be taxed as ordinary income to the optionee in the taxable year in which the disposition occurs. The excess, if any, of the amount realized upon disposition over the fair market value at the time of the exercise of the option will be treated as long or short-term capital gain, depending on the length of time the optionee has held the stock from the date of exercise.
The exercise of an incentive stock option may subject an optionee to alternative minimum tax liability because the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time an incentive stock option is exercised over the exercise price of the shares is included in income for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, even though it is not included in taxable income for purposes of determining the regular tax liability of an optionee. Consequently, an optionee may be obligated to pay alternative minimum tax in the year he or she exercises an incentive stock option. As the application of the alternative minimum tax is complex and depends on each optionee’s individual tax situation, an optionee should consult his or her own tax advisor in order to determine whether the exercise of an incentive stock option will subject the optionee to the alternative minimum tax.
In general, there will be no federal income tax deduction allowed to the Company upon the grant, exercise, or termination of an incentive stock option, or upon the sale of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an incentive stock option. However, in the event of a disqualifying disposition, the Company will be entitled to a deduction for federal income tax purposes in an amount equal to the ordinary income, if any, recognized by an optionee upon disposition of the shares, provided that the deduction is not otherwise disallowed under the Code.
Both nonqualified options and incentive stock options granted pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan are intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code. The final Treasury Regulations under Section 409A exclude from the provisions of that section (i) any stock options that are incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Code, and (ii) any nonqualified options granted with an exercise price of not less than the fair market value of the stock on the grant date, provided that the number of shares subject to the option is fixed on the grant date. The 2017 Employee Plan contains definitions of “fair market value” and “grant date” that are consistent with those set forth in the Treasury Regulations. As a result, both nonqualified options and incentive stock options granted pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan should not be subject to the accelerated income tax and excise tax provisions of Section 409A of the Code.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of the amendment of the 2017 Employee Stock Option Plan to increase the number of shares that may be issued under options (including incentive stock options) issued pursuant thereto from 300,000 shares to 600,000 shares.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Corporate Governance Program
Our Board of Directors has established a written Corporate Governance Program to address significant corporate governance issues that may arise. It sets forth the responsibilities and qualification standards of the members of the Board of Directors and is intended as a governance framework within which the Board of Directors, assisted by its committees, directs our affairs.
Policy against Hedging Stock
Our policy prohibits our directors, officers, and other employees, and their designees, from engaging in short sales or from hedging transactions of any nature that are designed to hedge or offset a decrease in market value of such person’s ownership of the Company’s equity securities.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a written code of business conduct and ethics applicable to all directors, officers, management and employees and a separate code of ethics applicable to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Company's code of business conduct and ethics and code of ethics may be obtained, without charge, upon written request to the Secretary of the Company at Block 1008 Toa Payoh North #03-09 Singapore 318996.
Board Leadership Structure
The Board of Directors believes it is important to select its Chairman and the Company’s Chief Executive Officer in the manner it considers in the best interests of the Company at any given point in time. The Chairman of the Board and CEO of the Company are held by separate persons as an aid in the Board's oversight of management. The duties of the non-executive Chairman of the Board include:
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presiding over all meetings of the Board;
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preparing the agenda for Board meetings in consultation with the CEO and other members of the Board;
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calling and presiding over meetings of the independent directors;
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managing the Board's process for annual director self-assessment and evaluation of the Board and of the CEO; and
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presiding over all meetings of shareholders.
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The Board believes that there may be advantages to having an independent chairman for matters such as communications and relations between the Board, the CEO, and other senior management; assisting the Board in reaching consensus on particular strategies and policies; and facilitating robust director, Board, and CEO evaluation processes.
Risk Management
The Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and senior management are primarily responsible for identifying and managing the risks facing the Company, and the Board of Directors oversees these efforts. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer report to the Board of Directors regarding any risks identified and steps the Company is taking to manage those risks. In addition, the Audit Committee identifies, monitors and analyzes the priority of financial risks, and reports to the Board of Directors regarding its financial risk assessments.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The Board’s Audit Committee is responsible for review, approval, or ratification of “related-person transactions” between the Company or its subsidiaries and related persons. Under SEC rules, a related person is a director, officer, nominee for director, or 5% shareholder of the Company and their immediate family members. The Company's code of business conduct and ethics provides guidance to the Audit Committee for addressing actual or potential conflicts of interests that may arise from transactions and relationships between the Company and its executive officers or directors. Potential conflicts relating to other personnel must be addressed by the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer. There were no related party transactions during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 for which disclosure would be required under SEC rules.
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board held seven regularly scheduled and special meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. All of the directors attended (in person or by telephone) at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and any committees of the Board on which they served during the last full fiscal year. Directors are expected to use their best efforts to be present at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. All of our directors attended the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on December 8, 2020.
The Company does not have a standing nominating committee. The Board consists of five directors, three of whom are “independent” (as defined under the rules of the NYSE American upon which the Company’s securities are listed), namely Jason T. Adelman, Richard M. Horowitz and A. Charles Wilson. Pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Board, a majority of the independent directors, following a discussion with the entire Board, has the sole and ultimate responsibility to determine and nominate Board candidates for election at the Annual Meeting. Although nominations are made by a majority of the independent directors, the three current independent directors value the input of the entire Board and thus discuss proposed nominees at the Board level before the ultimate nomination determinations are made by the independent directors. The Board does not believe that it is necessary, at this time, given the Board composition and such Board resolution, to have a separately constituted nominating committee. At such time as the Board composition changes, the Board may elect to establish a separate nominating committee.
The Board has also adopted a resolution addressing the nomination process and related matters and it states, among other things, that the Board believes that the continuing service of qualified incumbents promotes stability and continuity in the boardroom, contributing to the Board's ability to work as a collective body, while giving the Company the benefit of the familiarity and insight into the Company's affairs that its directors have accumulated during their tenure. The resolution further states that the Board will evaluate the performance of its Board members on an annual basis in connection with the nomination process. The Board may solicit recommendations for nominees from persons that the Board believes are likely to be familiar with qualified candidates, including without limitation members of the Board and management of the Company. The Board may also determine to engage a professional search firm to assist in identifying qualified candidates if the need arises. In addition, the Board has the authority to retain third-party consultants to provide advice regarding compensation issues. The Board has not adopted specific minimum qualifications for a position on the Company’s Board or any specific skills or qualities that the Board believes are necessary for one or more of its members to possess. However, the Board will consider various factors including without limitation the candidate’s qualifications, the extent to which the membership of the candidate on the Board will promote diversity among the directors, and such other factors as the Board may deem to be relevant at the time and under the then existing facts and circumstances. The Company does not have a formal policy with regard to the consideration of diversity in identifying nominees for director. The Board of Directors seeks to nominate directors with a variety of skills and experience so that the Board will have the necessary expertise to oversee the Company’s business. The Company did not receive any recommendations as to nominees for election of directors for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on December 8, 2021.
The Board will consider candidates proposed by shareholders of the Company and will evaluate all such candidates upon criteria similar to the criteria used by the Board to evaluate other candidates. Shareholders desiring to propose a nominee for election to the Board must do so in writing sufficiently in advance of an annual meeting so that the Board has the opportunity to make an appropriate evaluation of such candidate and his or her qualifications and skills and to obtain information necessary for preparing all of the disclosures required to be included in the Company’s proxy statement for the related meeting should such proposed candidate be nominated for election by shareholders. Shareholder candidate proposals should be sent to the attention of the Secretary of the Company at Block 1008 Toa Payoh North #03-09 Singapore 318996.
The Board has a standing Compensation Committee, which currently consists of the three independent directors, namely Jason T. Adelman, Richard M. Horowitz and A. Charles Wilson, Chairman. The Compensation Committee determines salary and bonus arrangements. The Compensation Committee met five times during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. The Compensation Committee has a written charter. For the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the Compensation Committee did not retain a third-party consultant to review the Company’s current policies and procedures with respect to executive compensation.
The Board has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The members thereof consist of Jason T. Adelman, Richard M. Horowitz and A. Charles Wilson, Chairman. The Board of Directors has determined that the Audit Committee has at least one financial expert, namely A. Charles Wilson. The Board of Directors has affirmatively determined that Mr. Wilson does not have a material relationship with the Company that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment and is “independent” as independence is defined in Section 803 of the rules of the NYSE American. Pursuant to its written charter, which charter was adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee is charged with, among other responsibilities, selecting our independent public accountants, reviewing our annual audit and meeting with our independent public accountants to review planned audit procedures. The Audit Committee also reviews with the independent public accountants and management the results of the audit, including any recommendations of the independent public accountants for improvements in accounting procedures and internal controls. The Audit Committee held eight meetings during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. Each of the members of the Audit Committee satisfies the independence standards specified in Section 803 of the rules of the NYSE American and Rule 10A-3 under the Exchange Act.
DIRECTORS’ COMPENSATION
Our directors play a critical role in guiding our strategic direction and overseeing our management. In order to compensate them for their substantial time commitment, we provide a mix of cash and equity-based compensation. We do not provide pension or retirement plans for non-employee directors. Our employee directors, S.W. Yong and Victor Ting, do not receive separate cash compensation for Board service.
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, Richard M. Horowitz and Jason T. Adelman, as non‑employee directors, received quarterly fees in an amount equal to $9,000 for each quarter and for service on the various committees of which they are a member. A. Charles Wilson, as a non-employee director, Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Audit Committee and Chairman of the Compensation Committee, received $18,000 in quarterly fees for each quarter and for service on the various committees of which he is a member. The directors were also reimbursed for out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending meetings.
Each of our directors is entitled to participate in our 2017 Directors Equity Incentive Plan (“2017 Directors Plan”). Messrs. Yong and Ting, as employees of the Company, are also entitled to participate in our 2017 Employee Plan. On February 19, 2021, pursuant to the 2017 Directors Plan, Mr. Wilson was granted an option to purchase 40,000 shares, and Messrs. Horowitz and Adelman each were granted an option to purchase 20,000 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $5.27 per share. Each such option vested immediately upon grant and will terminate five years from the date of grant unless terminated sooner upon termination of the optionee’s status as a director or otherwise pursuant to the 2017 Directors Plan. The exercise price under the options was set at 100% of fair market value (as defined in the 2017 Directors Plan) of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant of each such option. Information regarding option grants to Messrs. Yong and Ting are described under EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION below.
As of June 30, 2021, there were 280,000 shares available for grant under the 2017 Directors Plan and 33,000 shares under the 2017 Employee Plan.
The Compensation Committee reviewed the average directors’ fees for comparable public companies. The Compensation Committee believes that the director fees paid to its directors were and are substantially less than the fees paid to directors of comparable public companies. Directors’ compensation may be increased based on the profitability of the Company.
The following table contains information on compensation for our non-employee members of our Board of Directors for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.
|
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
|
|
|
Name
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)
|
|
|
Option Awards ($)(1)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|
A. Charles Wilson (2)
|
|
|
72,000
|
|
|
|
71,600
|
|
|
|
143,600
|
|
|
Richard M. Horowitz (3)
|
|
|
36,000
|
|
|
|
35,800
|
|
|
|
71,800
|
|
|
Jason T. Adelman (4)
|
|
|
36,000
|
|
|
|
35,800
|
|
|
|
71,800
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The option awards are based on the fair value of stock options on the grant date computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
|
|
|
(2)
|
The total number of shares underlying option awards held by Mr. Wilson outstanding as of June 30, 2021 were 185,000.
|
|
|
(3)
|
The total number of shares underlying option awards outstanding held by Mr. Horowitz as of June 30, 2021 were 92,500.
|
|
|
(4)
|
The total number of shares underlying option awards outstanding held by Mr. Adelman as of June 30, 2021 were 92,500.
|
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS, DIRECTORS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of September 30, 2021, certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of the Common Stock by (i) all persons known by the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of its Common Stock, (ii) each of the directors of the Company, (iii) each of the Named Executive Officers, and (iv) all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. To the knowledge of the Company, unless otherwise indicated, each of the shareholders has sole voting and investment power with respect to shares beneficially owned, subject to applicable community property and similar statutes.
|
Name
|
Amount of Shares
Owned Beneficially (1)
|
|
Percent
of Class (1)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. W. Yong (2)
|
|
659,068
|
|
|
16.3
|
%
|
|
A. Charles Wilson (3)
|
|
555,500
|
(4)
|
|
13.6
|
%
|
|
Richard M. Horowitz (5)
|
|
474,364
|
|
|
11.8
|
%
|
|
Jason T. Adelman (6)
|
|
109,188
|
|
|
2.7
|
%
|
|
Victor H. M. Ting (7)
|
|
161,757
|
|
|
4.1
|
%
|
|
Hwee Poh Lim(8)
|
|
84,483
|
|
|
2.2
|
%
|
|
Siew Kuan Soon(9)
|
|
21,850
|
|
|
0.6
|
%
|
|
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (7 persons)
|
|
2,066,210
|
(10)
|
|
46.17
|
%
|
|
Renaissance Technologies LLC
|
|
253,980
|
(11)
|
|
6.5
|
%
|
|
Peter J. Abrahamson
|
|
290,994
|
(12)
|
|
7.4
|
%
|
|
|
(1)
|
The percent of class is based upon 3,913,055 shares outstanding. The number of shares indicated and the percentage shown for each individual assumes the exercise of options that are presently exercisable or may become exercisable within 60 days from September 30, 2021 which are held by that individual or by all executive officers and directors as a group, as the case may be. The address for each of the directors and executive officers above is in care of the Company at Block 1008 Toa Payoh North Unit 03-09 Singapore.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Includes an aggregate of 125,000 shares of the Common Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable or which may become exercisable within 60 days from September 30, 2021 at exercise prices from $2.53 to $5.98 per share.
|
|
|
(3)
|
Includes an aggregate of 185,000 shares of the Common Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable at exercise prices from $2.53 to $5.98 per share.
|
|
|
(4)
|
The shares are held in a revocable family trust.
|
|
|
(5)
|
Includes an aggregate of 92,500 shares of the Common Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable at exercise prices from $2.53 to $5.98 per share.
|
|
|
(6)
|
Includes an aggregate of 92,500 shares of the Common Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of options that are presently exercisable at exercise prices from $2.53 to $5.98 per share.
|
|
|
(7)
|
Includes an aggregate of 62,500 shares of the Common Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable or which may become exercisable within 60 days from September 30, 2021 at exercise prices from $2.53 to $5.98.
|
|
|
(8)
|
Includes an aggregate of 3,750 shares of the Common Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable or which may become exercisable within 60 days from September 30, 2021 at an exercise price of $3.75 per share.
|
|
|
(9)
|
Includes an aggregate of 500 shares of the Common Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable or which may become exercisable within 60 days from September 30, 2021 at an exercise price of $3.73 per share.
|
|
|
(10)
|
Includes an aggregate of 561,750 shares of the Common Stock that may be acquired upon the exercise of options which are presently exercisable or which may become exercisable within 60 days from September 30, 2021 at exercise prices from $2.53 to $5.98 per share.
|
|
|
(11)
|
Based on Form 13G filed by Renaissance Technologies LLC and Renaissance Technologies Holdings Corporation on February 11, 2021. The address of Renaissance Technologies is 800 Third Ave, New York, NY 10022.
|
|
|
(12)
|
Based on Form 13G filed by Peter J. Abrahamson on January 19, 2021. The address of Peter J. Abrahamson is 24156 N. Coventry Ln Lake Barrington, IL 60010-7334.
|
The Company does not know of any arrangements that may at a subsequent date result in a change of control of the Company.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following persons were our only executive officers as of October 13, 2021:
S. W. Yong - Mr. Yong, age 68, is our President and Chief Executive Officer. He is also a member of our Board of Directors. Biographical information regarding Mr. Yong is set forth under the section entitled “Election of Directors.”
Victor H. M. Ting - Mr. Ting, age 67, is our Corporate Vice‑President and Chief Financial Officer. He is also a member of our Board of Directors. Biographical information regarding Mr. Ting is set forth under the section entitled “Election of Directors.”
Hwee Poh Lim - Mr. Lim, age 62, is our Corporate Vice‑President‑Testing. Mr. Lim joined Trio‑Tech in 1982 and became the Quality Assurance Manager in 1985. He was promoted to the position of Operations Manager in 1988. In 1990 he was promoted to Business Manager and was responsible for the Malaysian operations in Penang and Kuala Lumpur. Mr. Lim became the General Manager of the Company’s Malaysia subsidiary in 1991. In February 1993, all test facilities in Southeast Asia came under Mr. Lim’s responsibility. He holds diplomas in Electronics & Communications and Industrial Management and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. He was elected Corporate Vice‑President‑Testing in July 1998.
S. K. Soon – Ms. Soon, age 63, joined Trio-Tech Singapore in 1981 and became the Personnel and Administration Manager in 1985. In 1991, she was promoted to Group Logistics Manager and was responsible for the overall logistics and human resources functions for our operations in Asia. Effective July 1, 2015, she was appointed as Corporate Vice-President and currently oversees the Company's Logistics and Human Resources functions in Asia.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
The Company previously had two equity plans, one entitled the 2007 Employee Stock Option Plan (the “2007 Employee Plan”) and one entitled the 2007 Directors Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Directors Plan), each of which was previously approved by the Company’s shareholders. The purpose of these two plans was to enable the Company to attract and retain top-quality employees, officers, directors and consultants and to provide them with an incentive to enhance shareholder return. On September 24, 2017, each of the 2007 Employee Plan and 2007 Director Plan terminated in accordance with its terms and no further options may be granted pursuant to the 2007 Employee Plan or the 2007 Directors Plan. However, there remains outstanding options to purchase shares that were granted pursuant to those plans.
The Company’s 2017 Employee Plan and 2017 Directors Plan were approved by the Board on September 14, 2017 and by the shareholders on December 4, 2017 respectively. An amendment to the 2017 Directors Plan was approved by the Board on October 27, 2020 and by the shareholders on December 8, 2020. The purpose of these two plans is also to enable the Company to attract and retain top-quality employees, officers, directors and consultants and to provide them with an incentive to enhance shareholder return as well as contributing to the Company’s long-term growth and profitability objectives.
The following table provides information as of June 30, 2021 with respect to the following compensation plans of the Company under which equity securities of the Company are authorized for issuance:
|
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
|
|
|
Plan Category
|
|
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options
|
|
|
Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options
|
|
|
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
|
|
(b)
|
|
|
column (a))
|
|
|
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2007 Employee Plan
|
|
|
37,500
|
|
|
$
|
4.14
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2017 Employee Plan
|
|
|
267,000
|
|
|
$
|
4.21
|
|
|
|
33,000
|
|
|
2007 Directors Plan
|
|
|
250,000
|
|
|
$
|
3.32
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2017 Directors Plan
|
|
|
320,000
|
|
|
$
|
4.27
|
|
|
|
280,000
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
874,500
|
|
|
$
|
3.97
|
|
|
|
|
|
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves corporate goals and objectives relating to the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer; reviews goals and objectives of other executive officers; establishes the performance criteria (including both long-term and short-term goals) to be considered in light of those goals and objectives; evaluates the performance of the executives; determines and approves the compensation level for the Chief Executive Officer; and reviews and approves compensation levels of other key executive officers.
Compensation Objectives
The Company operates in a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry. The key objectives of the Company’s executive compensation programs are to:
|
|
●
|
attract, motivate and retain executives who drive Trio-Tech’s success and industry leadership;
|
|
|
●
|
provide each executive, from Vice-President to Chief Executive Officer, with a base salary based on the market value of that role, and the individual’s demonstrated ability to perform that role;
|
|
|
●
|
motivate executives to create sustained shareholder value by ensuring all executives have an “at risk” component of total compensation that reflects their ability to influence business outcomes and financial performance.
|
What Our Compensation Program is Designed to Reward
Our compensation program is designed to reward each individual executive officer’s contribution to the advancement of the Company’s overall performance and execution of our goals, ideas and objectives. It is designed to reward and encourage exceptional performance at the individual level in the areas of organization, creativity and responsibility while supporting the Company’s core values and ambitions. This in turn aligns the interest of our executive officers with the interests of our shareholders, and thus with the interests of the Company.
Determining Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee reviews and approves the compensation program for executive officers annually after the closing of each fiscal year. Reviewing the compensation program at such time allows the Compensation Committee to consider the overall performance of the past fiscal year and the financial and operating plans for the upcoming fiscal year in determining the compensation program for the upcoming fiscal year.
The Compensation Committee also annually reviews market compensation levels with comparable jobs in the industry to determine whether the total compensation for our officers remains in the targeted median pay range. This assessment includes evaluation of base salary, annual incentive opportunities, and long-term incentives for the key executive officers of the Company. The Company did not hire any compensation consultants in connection with setting executive compensation for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021.
The Compensation Committee’s compensation decisions are based on the Company’s operation performance, the performance and contribution of each individual officer, and the compensation budget and objectives of the Company. The Compensation Committee also considers other factors, such as the experience and potential of the officer and the market compensation level for a similar position.
Role of Executive Officers in Determining Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee determines compensation for the Chief Executive Officer, which is based on different factors, such as level of responsibility and contributions to the performance of the Company. The Chief Executive Officer recommends the compensation for the Company's executive officers (other than the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer) to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee reviews the recommendations made by the Chief Executive Officer and determines the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the other executive officers. The Chief Executive Officer is not present during voting on, or deliberations concerning, his compensation.
Components of Executive Compensation
The Company’s compensation program has three major components: (1) base annual salary; (2) potential annual cash incentive awards that are based primarily on financial performance of the Company or its relevant business operating units; and (3) long-term incentive compensation in the form of stock options.
Base Salary
Base salaries are provided as compensation for day-to-day responsibilities and services to the Company and to meet the objective of attracting and retaining the talent needed to run the business.
Base salary for our executive officers was determined utilizing various factors.
One factor that was taken into account in determining base salary for our executive officers was the compensation policies of other companies comparable in size to and within substantially the same industry as Trio-Tech. Keeping our executive officers’ salaries in line with the market ensures the Company’s competitiveness in the marketplace in which the Company competes for talent.
Another factor taken into account in determining base salary for our executive officers was salaries paid by us to our executive officers during the immediately preceding year and increases in the cost of living.
The Compensation Committee will review the Company’s financial condition, macroeconomic conditions and adjust base salaries at least quarterly in order to ascertain the appropriate time to restore base salaries to pre-reduction levels.
The salary for each of our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 and the percentage increase in their salary from the prior fiscal year’s salary were as follows:
|
Executives
|
|
Base Salary
|
|
|
Percent
Increased (1)
|
|
|
S. W. Yong, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
$
|
271,433
|
|
|
|
3.54
|
%
|
|
Victor H. M. Ting, Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
$
|
158,410
|
|
|
|
3.60
|
%
|
|
Hwee Poh Lim, Corporate Vice President-Testing
|
|
$
|
105,458
|
|
|
|
3.31
|
%
|
|
Siew Kuan Soon, Corporate Vice President
|
|
$
|
98,784
|
|
|
|
2.90
|
%
|
|
|
(1)
|
Percent increase is based on the increase in base salary in the currency of Singapore. The appreciation of Singapore dollars against U.S. dollars is excluded in the calculation. The base cash compensation for the above named officers of the Company, each of whom resides in Singapore, in fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, was denominated in the currency of Singapore. The exchange rate therefore was established as of June 30, 2021 and was computed to be 1.3484 Singapore dollars to each U.S. dollar.
|
Singapore executive officers’ base salaries are credited with a compulsory contribution ranging from 2.1% to 5.6% of base salary as required under Singapore’s provident pension fund.
Bonuses
In November 2016, the Compensation Committee approved the bonus formulae for Company's executive officers, as intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.
The bonus for each of our Named Executive Officers for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 was as follows:
|
Executives
|
|
Bonus
|
|
|
S. W. Yong, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
$
|
61,208
|
|
|
Victor H. M. Ting, Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
$
|
37,684
|
|
|
Hwee Poh Lim, Corporate Vice President-Testing
|
|
$
|
8,788
|
|
|
Siew Kuan Soon, Corporate Vice President
|
|
$
|
8,232
|
|
Option Grants
Stock options are intended to align the interests of key executives and shareholders by placing a portion of the key executives’ compensation at risk, tied to long-term shareholder value creation. Stock options are granted at 100% of the “fair market value” (as defined under the applicable plan) of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. The Compensation Committee believes that stock options are flexible and relatively inexpensive to implement when compared with cash bonuses. It also has no negative impact on the Company’s cash flow. The Compensation Committee believes that long-term incentives in the form of stock options can better encourage the executive officers to improve operations and increase profits for the Company through participation in the growth in value of the Company’s Common Stock.
The Compensation Committee views any option grant portion of our executive officer compensation packages as a special form of long-term incentive compensation to be awarded on a limited and non-regular basis, with the exception of the CEO and CFO. The objective of these awards is to ensure that the interests of our executives are closely aligned with those of our shareholders. These awards provide rewards to our executive officers based upon the creation of incremental shareholder value and the attainment of long-term financial goals. Stock options produce value to our executive officers only if the price of our stock appreciates, thereby directly linking the interests of our executive officers with those of our shareholders.
Awards of stock options are determined based on the Compensation Committee’s subjective determination of the amount of awards necessary, as a supplement to an executive officer’s base salary, to retain and motivate the executive officer.
In fiscal year 2021, we granted the following stock options to the following Named Executive Officers pursuant to the 2017 Directors Plan, Amendment to 2017 Directors Plan and 2017 Employee Plan as indicated below.
|
Executives
|
|
2017 Directors Plan
|
|
|
2017 Employee Plan
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
S. W. Yong, President and Chief Executive Officer
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
|
|
Victor H. M. Ting, Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
Hwee Poh Lim, Corporate Vice President
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
Siew Kuan Soon, Corporate Vice President
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
|
|
2,000
|
|
At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held in December 2019, the Company’s shareholders voted to conduct future non-binding, advisory votes on executive compensation on an “every one year” basis. The Board of Directors had recommended in the proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting a vote for the “every three years” option. The Board of Directors had made such recommendation based on its conclusion that an advisory vote at such frequency would provide the Company’s shareholders with sufficient time to evaluate the effectiveness of its overall compensation philosophy, policies and practices in the context of the Company’s long-term business results, while avoiding more emphasis on short term variations in compensation and business results. Thus, the Board decided to conduct future advisory votes on executive compensation on an “every three years” basis until at least the next vote by the Company’s shareholders on the frequency of such votes, which will be no later than the Annual Meeting to be held in 2025. The next non-binding, advisory vote on executive compensation will be held no later than the Annual Meeting in 2022.
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
Pursuant to Rule 16a-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), our directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of 10% or more of our common stock are currently required to file statements of beneficial ownership with respect to their ownership of our equity securities under Sections 13 or 16 of the Exchange Act. Based on a review of written representations from our executive officers and directors and a review of Forms 4 and 5 furnished to us, we believe that during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 the directors, executive officers and owners of more than 10% of our common stock filed, on a timely basis, all reports required by Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except that Ms. Siew Kuan Soon’s statement of changes in beneficial ownership of securities, reporting the grant of an option, was filed late.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
During the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, the Audit Committee fulfilled its duties and responsibilities as outlined in its charter. The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and related footnotes for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021, and the independent auditor’s report on those financial statements, with the Company’s management and Mazars LLP (“Mazars”), the Company’s independent auditor. Management presented to the Audit Committee that the Company’s financial statements were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The Audit Committee has discussed with Mazars the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee’s review included a discussion with management and the independent auditor of the quality (not merely the acceptability) of the Company’s accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant estimates and judgments, and the disclosures in the Company’s financial statements, including the disclosures relating to critical accounting policies.
The Audit Committee recognizes the importance of maintaining the independence of the Company’s independent auditor, both in fact and appearance. The Audit Committee has evaluated Mazars’s qualifications, performance, and independence, including that of the lead audit partner. As part of its auditor engagement process, the Audit Committee considers whether to rotate the independent audit firm. The Audit Committee has established a policy pursuant to which all services, audit and non-audit, provided by the independent auditor must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee or its delegate. The Company’s pre-approval policy is more fully described in this Proxy Statement under the heading “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.” The Audit Committee has concluded that provision of the non-audit services described in that section is compatible with maintaining the independence of Mazars. In addition, the Audit Committee has received the written disclosure and the letter from Mazars required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Mazars’ communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with Mazars its independence.
Based on the above-described review, written disclosures, letter and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors of the Company that the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Dated October 20, 2021
THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
A. Charles Wilson, Chairman
Jason T. Adelman
Richard M. Horowitz
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table shows compensation information concerning compensation awarded to, earned by or paid for services rendered to the Company in all capacities during the fiscal years ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 by our Chief Executive Officer and our three most highly compensated executive officers (other than our Chief Executive Officer) who were serving as executive officers at the end of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 (the “Named Executive Officers”).
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
Name and Principal Position
|
Fiscal Year
|
|
Salary
($)
|
|
|
Bonus
($)
|
|
|
Option Awards
($) (1)
|
|
|
All Other Compensation
($)
|
|
|
Total ($)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
S. W. Yong (2)
|
2021
|
|
|
271,433
|
|
|
|
61,208
|
|
|
|
78,800
|
(3)
|
|
|
23,378
|
(4)
|
|
|
434,819
|
|
|
President and Chief Executive Officer
|
2020
|
|
|
262,144
|
|
|
|
69,634
|
|
|
|
34,000
|
(5)
|
|
|
25,420
|
(6)
|
|
|
391,198
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Victor H. M. Ting (2)
|
2021
|
|
|
158,410
|
|
|
|
37,684
|
|
|
|
39,400
|
(7)
|
|
|
20,024
|
(8)
|
|
|
255,518
|
|
|
Corporate Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
|
2020
|
|
|
152,899
|
|
|
|
40,450
|
|
|
|
17,000
|
(9)
|
|
|
22,814
|
(10)
|
|
|
233,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hwee Poh Lim
|
2021
|
|
|
105,458
|
|
|
|
8,788
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
18,137
|
(11)
|
|
|
132,383
|
|
|
Corporate Vice President
|
2020
|
|
|
102,078
|
|
|
|
8,434
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
24,186
|
(12)
|
|
|
134,698
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Siew Kuan Soon
|
2021
|
|
|
98,784
|
|
|
|
8,232
|
|
|
|
2,720
|
|
|
|
17,241
|
(13)
|
|
|
126,977
|
|
|
Corporate Vice President
|
2020
|
|
|
95,997
|
|
|
|
7,964
|
|
|
|
--
|
|
|
|
17,862
|
(14)
|
|
|
121,823
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
The option awards are based on the fair value of stock options on the grant date computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718.
|
|
|
(2)
|
Neither Mr. Yong nor Mr. Ting received any fees for services rendered as a director of Trio-Tech International.
|
|
|
(3)
|
A stock option covering 40,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to Mr. Yong pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan on February 19, 2021. The option has a five-year term and vests over the period as follows: 25% vesting on the grant date and the remaining balance vesting in equal installments on the next three succeeding anniversaries of the grant date.
|
|
|
(4)
|
The amount shown in the other compensation column includes central provident fund contributions of $5,673, car benefits of $12,137 and director fees of $5,568 for service as a director for Trio-Tech Malaysia and Trio-Tech Kuala Lumpur, which are 55% owned by the Company. Singapore officers are credited with a compulsory contribution to their central provident fund at a certain percentage of their base salaries and bonuses in accordance with Singapore law. The compulsory contribution with respect to Mr. Yong was 2.1% for fiscal 2021.
|
|
|
(5)
|
A stock option covering 40,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to Mr. Yong pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan on March 25, 2020. The option has a five-year term and vests over the period as follows: 25% vesting on the grant date and the remaining balance vesting in equal installments on the next three succeeding anniversaries of the grant date.
|
|
|
(6)
|
The amount shown in the other compensation column includes central provident fund contributions of $5,538, car benefits of $14,410 and director fees of $5,472 for service as a director for Trio-Tech Malaysia and Trio-Tech Kuala Lumpur, which are 55% owned by the Company. Singapore officers are credited with a compulsory contribution to their central provident fund at a certain percentage of their base salaries and bonuses in accordance with Singapore law. The compulsory contribution with respect to Mr. Yong was 2.1% for fiscal 2020.
|
|
|
(7)
|
A stock option covering 20,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to Mr. Ting pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan on February 19, 2021. The option has a five-year term and vests over the period as follows: 25% vesting on the grant date and the remaining balance vesting in equal installments on the next three succeeding anniversaries of the grant date.
|
|
|
(8)
|
The amount shown in the other compensation column includes central provident fund contributions of $5,673, car benefits of $9,994 and director fees of $4,357 for the service as a director for Trio-Tech Malaysia and Trio-Tech Kuala Lumpur, which are 55% owned by the Company. Singapore officers are credited with a compulsory contribution to their central provident fund at a certain percentage of their base salaries and bonuses in accordance with Singapore law. The compulsory contribution with respect to Mr. Ting was 3.6% for fiscal 2021.
|
|
|
(9)
|
A stock option covering 20,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to Mr. Ting pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan on March 25, 2020. The option has a five-year term and vests over the period as follows: 25% vesting on the grant date and the remaining balance vesting in equal installments on the next three succeeding anniversaries of the grant date.
|
|
|
(10)
|
The amount shown in the other compensation column includes central provident fund contributions of $5,538, car benefits of $12,994 and director fees of $4,282 for the service as a director for Trio-Tech Malaysia and Trio-Tech Kuala Lumpur, which are 55% owned by the Company. Singapore officers are credited with a compulsory contribution to their central provident fund at a certain percentage of their base salaries and bonuses in accordance with Singapore law. The compulsory contribution with respect to Mr. Ting was 3.6% for fiscal 2020.
|
|
|
(11)
|
The amount shown in the other compensation column includes central provident fund contributions of $5,597, car benefits of $10,361 and director fees of $2,179 for service as a director for Trio-Tech Malaysia and Trio-Tech Kuala Lumpur, which are 55% owned by the Company. Singapore officers are credited with a compulsory contribution to their central provident fund at a certain percentage of their base salaries and bonuses in accordance with Singapore law. The compulsory contribution with respect to Mr. Lim was 5.3% for fiscal 2021.
|
|
|
(12)
|
The amount shown in the other compensation column includes central provident fund contributions of $5,451, car benefits of $16,595 and director fees of $2,140 for service as a director for Trio-Tech Malaysia and Trio-Tech Kuala Lumpur, which are 55% owned by the Company. Singapore officers are credited with a compulsory contribution to their central provident fund at a certain percentage of their base salaries and bonuses in accordance with Singapore law. The compulsory contribution with respect to Mr. Lim was 5.3% for fiscal 2020.
|
|
|
(13)
|
A stock option covering 2,000 shares of Common Stock was granted to Ms. Soon pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan on December 8, 2021. The amount shown in the other compensation column includes central provident fund contributions and insurance premium amounting to $7,042, car benefits of $8,020 and director fees of $2,179 for service as a director for Trio-Tech Malaysia and Trio-Tech Kuala Lumpur, which are 55% owned by the Company. Singapore officers are credited with a compulsory contribution to their central provident fund at a certain percentage of their base salaries and bonuses in accordance with Singapore law. The compulsory contribution with respect to Ms. Soon was 5.6% for fiscal 2021.
|
|
|
(14)
|
The amount shown in the other compensation column includes central provident fund contributions and insurance premium amounting to $6,867, car benefits of $8,853 and director fees of $2,142 for service as a director for Trio-Tech Malaysia and Trio-Tech Kuala Lumpur, which are 55% owned by the Company. Singapore officers are credited with a compulsory contribution to their central provident fund at a certain percentage of their base salaries and bonuses in accordance with Singapore law. The compulsory contribution with respect to Ms. Soon was 5.6% for fiscal 2020.
|
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
Base Salary. Base salaries for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 for Messrs. Yong, Ting, Lim and Ms. Soon were $271,433, $158,410, $105,458 and $98,784 respectively.
Bonuses. Bonuses for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021 for Messrs. Yong, Ting, Lim and Ms. Soon were $61,208, $37,684, $8,788 and $8,232 respectively.
Option Awards. Stock options are granted at 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. Awards of stock options are determined based on the Compensation Committee’s subjective determination of amount of awards necessary, as a supplement to an executive officer’s base salary, to retain and motivate the executive officer. In fiscal 2021, options covering 2,000 and 60,000 shares were granted on December 8, 2020 and February 19, 2021 respectively pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan, which options vest over the period as followings: 25% vesting on the grant date and the remaining balance vesting in equal installments on the next three succeeding anniversaries of the grant date in. In fiscal 2020, options covering 60,000 shares were granted on March 25, 2020 pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan, which options vest over the period as followings: 25% vesting on the grant date and the remaining balance vesting in equal installments on the next three succeeding anniversaries of the grant date in.
All Other Compensation. All other compensation includes central provident fund contributions at a certain percentage of the base salaries in accordance with Singapore law, car benefits and director fees for service as a director for certain subsidiaries of the Company.
The Company does not generally provide its executive officers with payments or other benefits at, following, or in connection with retirement. The Company does not have a nonqualified deferred compensation plan that provides for deferral of compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified for its executive officers.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End
The following table provides information concerning shares of our Common Stock covered by exercisable and unexercisable options held by the Named Executive Officers as of June 30, 2021, our last completed fiscal year end.
|
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT JUNE 30, 2021
|
|
|
|
Option Awards
|
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options
|
|
|
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options
|
|
|
Option Exercise Price
|
|
Option Expiration
|
|
|
|
(#) Exercisable
|
|
|
(#) Unexercisable
|
|
|
($)
|
|
Date
|
|
S. W. Yong
|
|
|
10,000
|
(1)
|
|
|
30,000
|
|
|
$
|
5.27
|
|
02/18/2026
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
$
|
2.53
|
|
03/24/2025
|
|
|
|
|
30,000
|
(3)
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
$
|
3.28
|
|
04/10/2024
|
|
|
|
|
40,000
|
(4)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
5.98
|
|
03/22/2023
|
|
|
|
|
25,000
|
(5)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
4.14
|
|
03/29/2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Victor H.M. Ting
|
|
|
5,000
|
(1)
|
|
|
15,000
|
|
|
$
|
5.27
|
|
02/18/2026
|
|
|
|
|
10,000
|
(2)
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
$
|
2.53
|
|
03/24/2025
|
|
|
|
|
15,000
|
(3)
|
|
|
5,000
|
|
|
$
|
3.28
|
|
04/10/2024
|
|
|
|
|
20,000
|
(4)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
5.98
|
|
03/22/2023
|
|
|
|
|
12,500
|
(5)
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
$
|
4.14
|
|
03/29/2022
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Hwee Poh Lim
|
|
|
3,750
|
(6)
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
$
|
3.75
|
|
12/03/2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Siew Kuan Soon
|
|
|
500
|
(7)
|
|
|
1,500
|
|
|
$
|
3.73
|
|
12/07/2025
|
|
|
(1)
|
Stock option granted on February 19, 2021 pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan, that will fully vest on February 18, 2024 (one-fourth of the grant vested or will vest every year beginning on February 19, 2021).
|
|
|
(2)
|
Stock option granted on March 25, 2020 pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan, that will fully vest on March 24, 2023 (one-fourth of the grant vested or will vest every year beginning on March 25, 2020).
|
|
|
(3)
|
Stock option granted on April 11, 2019 pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan, that will fully vest on April 10, 2022 (one-fourth of the grant vested or will vest every year beginning on April 11, 2019).
|
|
|
(4)
|
Stock option granted on March 23, 2018 pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan, that will fully vest on March 22, 2021 (one-fourth of the grant vested or will vest every year beginning on March 23, 2018).
|
|
|
(5)
|
Stock option granted on March 30, 2017 pursuant to the 2007 Employee Plan, that will fully vest on March 29, 2020 (one-fourth of the grant vested or will vest every year beginning on March 30, 2017).
|
|
|
(6)
|
Stock option granted on December 4, 2018 pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan, that will fully vest on December 3, 2021 (one-fourth of the grant vested or will vest every year beginning on December 4, 2018).
|
|
|
(7)
|
Stock option granted on December 8, 2020 pursuant to the 2017 Employee Plan, that will fully vest on December 7, 2023 (one-fourth of the grant vested or will vest every year beginning on December 8, 2020).
|
Employment Agreements
We have a longstanding practice of signing standard offer letters with our employees upon employment, with the exception of two Named Executive Officers who are over retirement age, each of whom is party to an employment agreement with the Company. We believe that both standard offer letters and employment agreements provide greater assurance of continuity and retention of our staff in a highly competitive industry. Employment agreements for our Named Executive officers are reviewed and approved by the Compensation Committee. The guidelines for salary, bonus and certain other compensation components for each executive officer are set forth in his or her respective employment agreement/ standard offer letters.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Audit Committee selected Mazars as the independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2021. A representative of Mazars is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make statements and respond to appropriate questions.
The following table shows the fees that we paid or accrued for audit and other services provided by Mazars in fiscal 2021 and 2020. All of the services described in the following fee table were approved in conformity with the Audit Committee’s pre-approval process.
|
|
|
2021
|
|
|
2020
|
|
|
Audit Fees
|
|
$
|
202,900
|
|
|
$
|
208,500
|
|
|
Tax Fees
|
|
|
10,720
|
|
|
|
10,320
|
|
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
5,990
|
|
|
|
6,150
|
|
|
Total:
|
|
$
|
219,610
|
|
|
$
|
224,970
|
|
Audit Fees
The amounts set forth opposite “Audit Fees” above reflect the aggregate fees billed by Mazars or to be billed for professional services rendered for the audit of the Company’s fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 annual financial statements and for the review of the financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports during such periods.
Tax Fees
The amounts set forth opposite “Tax Fees” above reflect the aggregate fees billed for fiscal 2021 and 2020 for professional services rendered for tax compliance and return preparation. The compliance and return preparation services consisted of the preparation of original and amended tax returns and support during the income tax audit or inquiries.
The Audit Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit services and all non-audit services that our independent accountants are permitted to perform for us under applicable federal securities regulations. The Audit Committee’s policy utilizes an annual review and general pre-approval of certain categories of specified services that may be provided by the independent accountant, up to pre-determined fee levels. Any proposed services not qualifying as a pre-approved specified service, and pre-approved services exceeding the pre-determined fee levels, require further specific pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has delegated to the Chairman of the Audit Committee the authority to pre-approve audit and non-audit services proposed to be performed by the independent accountants. Since June 30, 2004, all services provided by our auditors require pre-approval by the Audit Committee. The policy has not been waived in any instance.
All Other Fees
The amounts set forth opposite “All Other Fees” above reflect the aggregate fees billed for fiscal 2021 and 2020 for professional services rendered for the Information Technology (IT) audit. This is to ensure rigorous IT controls in place for maintaining an appropriate internal controls over financial reporting.
ADDITIONAL MEETING INFORMATION
Shareholder Proposals
Shareholders who wish to present proposals at the Annual Meeting to be held following the end of the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022 should submit their proposals in writing to the Secretary of the Company at the Company’s principal executive offices located at Block 1008 Toa Payoh North, Unit 03-09 Singapore 318996. Proposals must be received no later than June 21, 2022 for inclusion in next year’s Proxy Statement and Proxy Card. If a shareholder intends to present a proposal at the next Annual Meeting but does not seek inclusion of that proposal in the proxy statement for that meeting, the holders of Proxies for that meeting will be entitled to exercise their discretionary authority on that proposal if the Company does not have notice of the proposal by September 4, 2022.
Proxy Solicitation
The cost of soliciting the enclosed form of Proxy will be borne by the Company. In addition, the Company will reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their expenses in forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners. Directors, officers and regular employees of the Company may, for no additional compensation, also solicit proxies personally or by telephone, electronic transmission, telegram or special letter.
Annual Report
The Company’s Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended June 30, 2021 is being electronically available with this Proxy Statement to shareholders entitled to notice of the meeting. The Annual Report includes the consolidated financial statements, unaudited selected consolidated financial data and management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations.
Upon the written request of any shareholder, the Company will provide, without charge, a copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission for the year ended June 30, 2021. This request should be directed to the Corporate Secretary, Trio‑Tech International, Block 1008 Toa Payoh North #03-09 Singapore 318996.
OTHER MATTERS
The shareholders and any other persons who would like to communicate with the Board can access the website www.triotech.com and fill in the contact form for any enquiries or information. The form will be sent directly to the Secretary and the communications for specified individual directors of the Board will be given to them personally by the Secretary. In addition, the contact number is listed on the website and the messages will be passed to the Board accordingly.
At this time, the Board knows of no other business that will come before the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, the persons named as Proxy holders will vote on them in accordance with their best judgment.
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors
A. CHARLES WILSON
Chairman
|
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