1 SCHEDULE 14A (RULE 14a-101) INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. ) Filed by the Registrant [X] 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)) [X] Definitive Proxy Statement [ ] Definitive Additional Materials [ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to sec. 240.14a-11(c) or sec. 240.14a-12 KIRBY CORPORATION - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): [ ] No fee required. [ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(l) and 0-11. (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (5) Total fee paid: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [ ] 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. (1) Amount Previously Paid: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (3) Filing Party: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (4) Date Filed: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2 [KIRBY CORPORATION LOGO] KIRBY CORPORATION NOTICE OF 1998 ANNUAL MEETING AND PROXY STATEMENT YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT PLEASE PROMPTLY MARK, DATE, SIGN AND RETURN YOUR PROXY CARD IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. 3 [KIRBY CORPORATION LOGO] KIRBY CORPORATION 1775 ST. JAMES PLACE, SUITE 200 P. O. BOX 1745 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77251-1745 March 4, 1998 Dear Stockholders: You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Kirby Corporation to be held on Tuesday, April 21, 1998 at 10:00 a.m. (CDT) in Houston, Texas. Information concerning the meeting is presented on the following pages. In addition to the formal items of business to be brought before the meeting, there will be a report on our Company's operations, followed by a question and answer period. Your vote is very important, regardless of the number of shares you own. Please ensure that your shares will be represented at the meeting by completing, signing and returning your proxy card in the envelope provided. Thank you for your continued support of Kirby. We are committed to continuing to seek ways to grow and to enhance the value of your investment. Sincerely, GEORGE A. PETERKIN, JR. Chairman of the Board J. H. PYNE President and Chief Executive Officer 4 KIRBY CORPORATION (A NEVADA CORPORATION) 1775 ST. JAMES PLACE, SUITE 200 P. O. BOX 1745 HOUSTON, TX 77251-1745 --------------------- NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD TUESDAY, APRIL 21, 1998 To the Stockholders of Kirby Corporation: The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Kirby Corporation ("the Company") will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 1998, at The Sheraton Luxury Collection Hotel (formerly the Ritz Carlton Hotel), 1919 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas, at 10:00 a.m. (CDT) for the following purposes: 1. Elect nine directors; and 2. Transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. Holders of record of the Company's common stock at the close of business on March 2, 1998 are entitled to vote at the meeting. By Order of the Board of Directors, THOMAS G. ADLER Secretary March 4, 1998 5 KIRBY CORPORATION --------------------- PROXY STATEMENT --------------------- This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of Kirby Corporation (the "Company") to be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at The Sheraton Luxury Collection Hotel (formerly the Ritz Carlton Hotel), 1919 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas, on April 21, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. (CDT), and at any adjournments or postponements thereof. The Notice of Annual Meeting, this Proxy Statement, the proxy card and the Company's Annual Report, which includes the Annual Report on Form 10-K for 1997, are being mailed to stockholders on or about March 4, 1998. Stockholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 1998 will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. As of March 2, 1998, the Company had 24,435,436 outstanding shares of common stock. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote. A majority of the outstanding shares of common stock represented in person or by proxy will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Assuming a quorum, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast is required for the election of directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for determining a quorum, but not counted as voting for determining whether a director or proposal has received the necessary number of votes for election of the director or approval of the proposal. Your shares will be voted as specified on the enclosed proxy card. If you do not specify how you want your shares voted, the shares will be voted for the election of all the directors named in this Proxy Statement and at the discretion of the proxies on other matters. You are encouraged to complete, sign and return the proxy card even if you expect to attend the meeting. You may revoke your proxy at any time before it is voted at the meeting by executing a later-dated proxy. If you attend the meeting and wish to vote, your ballot at the meeting will cancel any proxy that you have previously given. The cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company. The Company has retained Corporate Investor Communications, Inc. ("CIC") to solicit proxies at an estimated cost of $5,000, plus out-of-pocket expenses. Employees of the Company may also solicit proxies, for which the expense would be nominal and borne by the Company. Solicitation may be by mail, facsimile, electronic mail, telephone or personal interview. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (ITEM 1) The Bylaws of the Company provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of not fewer than three nor more than fifteen members and that the number of directors, within such limits, shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors at any meeting or by the stockholders at the Annual Meeting. By resolution of the Board of Directors at its January 20, 1998 meeting, the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors was set at nine. It is intended that the shares represented by the enclosed proxy card will be voted, unless such authority is withheld, for the election of the nine director nominees named in the following section. Each nominee is presently a director of the Company. The directors will be elected to serve for the ensuing year and until their successors have been elected. In the event that any director nominee should become unavailable to serve as a director, which is not anticipated, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed proxy card intend to vote for a nominee who shall be designated by the present Board of Directors to fill such vacancy. 2 6 RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS CONCERNING THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The Board of Directors of the Company unanimously recommends a vote "FOR" the election of each of the following individuals nominated for election as a director. 3
George F. Clements, Jr. [PHOTO] Director since 1985 Age 72 Greenwich, Connecticut Mr. Clements is an independent oil and gas producer and private investor. He serves as Chairman of the Audit Committee and is a member of the Compensation Committee. C. Sean Day [PHOTO] Director since 1996 Age 48 Stamford, Connecticut Mr. Day is President and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Corporation, a company engaged in the operation of foreign flag bulk vessels trading worldwide. He serves as a member of the Audit Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. Bob G. Gower [PHOTO] Director since 1998 Age 60 Houston, Texas Mr. Gower is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Specified Fuels & Chemicals, a custom processor of specialty chemicals and manufacturer of reference fuels. From 1988 to 1997, he served first as President and then as Chairman of Lyondell Petrochemical Company. Mr. Gower was appointed to the Board in January 1998 and serves as a member of the Audit Committee. William M. Lamont, Jr. [PHOTO] Director since 1979 Age 49 Dallas, Texas Mr. Lamont is a private investor. He serves as Chairman of the Compensation Committee and is a member of the Executive Committee and Committee on Directors and Board Governance. George A. Peterkin, Jr. [PHOTO] Director since 1973 Age 70 Houston, Texas Mr. Peterkin has served as Chairman of the Board of the Company since April 1995. He served as President from 1973 to 1995 and serves as a member of the Executive Committee, Committee on Directors and Board Governance and Strategic Planning Committee. He also served as President of the Company's predecessor company, Kirby Industries, Inc., from 1973 to 1976 and as a Director of Kirby Industries, Inc. from 1969 to 1976. 7 Except as noted, each of the nominees for director has been engaged in his principal occupation for more than the past five years.
J. H. Pyne [PHOTO] Director since 1988 Age 50 Houston, Texas Mr. Pyne has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since April 1995. He served as Executive Vice President from 1992 to 1995 and has also served as President of Kirby Inland Marine, Inc. (formerly Dixie Carriers, Inc.), the Company's principal transportation subsidiary, since 1984. He serves as a member of the Executive Committee, Committee on Directors and Board Governance and Strategic Planning Committee. Robert G. Stone, Jr. [PHOTO] Director since 1983 Age 75 Greenwich, Connecticut Mr. Stone is a private investor. He has served as Chairman Emeritus of the Company since 1995, and served as Chairman of the Board of the Company from 1983 to 1995. He serves as Chairman of the Committee on Directors and Board Governance and is a member of the Executive Committee, Compensation Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. He is also a director of Core Industries Inc., NovaCare, Inc., Russell Reynolds Associates, Inc. and Tejas Gas Corporation. Thomas M. Taylor [PHOTO] Director since 1996 Age 55 Fort Worth, Texas Mr. Taylor is President of Thomas M. Taylor & Co., an investment consulting firm. He is a member of the Compensation Committee, Committee on Directors and Board Governance and Strategic Planning Committee. He is also a director of Encal Energy Ltd., La Quinta Inns, Inc., MacMillan Bloedel Limited, Moore Corporation Limited, and John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Virgil Waggoner [PHOTO] Director since 1993 Age 70 Houston, Texas Mr. Waggoner is a private investor. He served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Chemicals, Inc. from 1986 to 1996. He is a member of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee. He is also a director of Sterling Chemicals, Inc. and Gulfwest Oil Company. In his capacity as an advisory director, Mr. Gilchrist is invited to attend meetings of the Board of Directors and to participate in Board discussions. However, Mr. Gilchrist is not entitled to vote on matters 4
ADVISORY DIRECTOR Henry Gilchrist [PHOTO] Advisory Director since 1987 Age 73 Dallas, Texas Mr. Gilchrist was elected by the Board of Directors in 1987 to serve as an advisory director. Mr. Gilchrist served as a director of the Company from 1976 to 1987, and served as Secretary and General Counsel from 1976 to 1997. Mr. Gilchrist is a member of the law firm of Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation. 8 submitted for Board approval and is not involved in the administration or management of the Company. Mr. Gilchrist also serves as an advisory member of the Compensation Committee of the Board. See "Committee Meetings." Mr. Gilchrist is invited to attend these Committee meetings and participate in Committee discussions, but is not entitled to vote on matters submitted for Committee approval. The selection of advisory directors and advisory committee members is made by the Board of Directors, and stockholders do not have a vote on these selections. During 1997, the Company retained Jenkens & Gilchrist, a Professional Corporation, to perform various legal services and expects to retain such firm to perform legal services in 1998. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS During 1997, the Board of Directors held eight meetings and each director attended more than 75% of all meetings of the Board and of each Board Committee on which such director served. Mr. Peterkin and Mr. Pyne were employed by the Company for all of 1997 and, therefore, received no remuneration for serving on the Board of Directors or its Committees. COMMITTEE MEETINGS The Board of Directors has established five standing Committees, including the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Committee on Directors and Board Governance, each of which is briefly described below. Each of those three Committees meets regularly during the year and promptly following each meeting advises the full Board of Directors of its actions and recommendations. The other Committees of the Board include the Executive Committee and the Strategic Planning Committee. Audit Committee -- The Audit Committee, which consists of Mr. Clements (Chairman), Mr. Day, Mr. Gower and Mr. Waggoner, all nonemployee directors, held three meetings during 1997. The Committee has the responsibility for recommending the engagement or discharge of the Company's independent public accountants. The Committee reviews with the independent public accountants the scope of the audit, the fees for the audit and related matters (including nonaudit services), receives copies of the annual comments from the independent public accountants on accounting procedures and systems of control, and reviews with them any questions, comments or suggestions they may have relating to the internal controls, accounting practices or procedures of the Company. Additional responsibilities include reviewing the program of the Company's internal auditor, including procedures for assuring implementation of accepted recommendations made by the independent public accountants, and receiving summaries of all audit reports issued by the internal auditor. Compensation Committee -- The Compensation Committee, which consists of Mr. Lamont (Chairman), Mr. Clements, Mr. Stone, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Waggoner, all nonemployee directors, and Mr. Gilchrist, as an advisory member, held six meetings during 1997. The Committee reviews all compensation of the Company's officers and key employees and makes compensation recommendations to the Board. In addition, the Committee administers the Company's stock option plans and grants stock options under such plans. The Committee's report on executive compensation is set forth beginning on page 8. Committee on Directors and Board Governance -- In April 1997, the Board established a Committee on Directors and Board Governance. The Committee, which consists of Mr. Stone (Chairman), Mr. Lamont, Mr. Peterkin, Mr. Pyne and Mr. Taylor, held two meetings during 1997. The Committee maintains oversight of Board operations and effectiveness, evaluates the performance of the Board and its individual members, including the Chairman and the Company's President, reviews the size and composition of the Board and reviews the qualifications of candidates for Board membership. The Committee will consider candidates suggested by stockholders. Suggestions for candidates, accompanied by biographical information for evaluation, may be sent to the Secretary of the Company at its principal office address. DIRECTOR COMPENSATION During 1997, each non-employee director and advisory director received an annual retainer of $10,000, received $1,000 for each Board meeting attended and $750 for each Committee meeting attended ($500 if a Committee meets on the same day and same place as a meeting of the Board). The Chairman of each Committee received an additional annual retainer of $2,500. Directors and advisory directors are reimbursed 5 9 for reasonable expenses incurred for attending the meetings. There are no family relationships among any directors of the Company. The Company has two director stock option plans, the 1989 Director Stock Option Plan (the "1989 Director Plan") and the 1994 Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan (the "1994 Director Plan"). The 1989 Director Plan provides for the one-time granting to non-employee directors of stock options to purchase the Company's common stock. In 1994, the 1989 Director Plan was amended, with the automatic grant to future directors reduced from 10,000 shares to 5,000 shares of common stock. Currently, Mr. Clements, Mr. Lamont, Mr. Stone and Mr. Waggoner each hold options under the 1989 Director Plan for 10,000 shares of common stock. Mr. Day, Mr. Gower and Mr. Taylor each hold options under the 1989 Director Plan for 5,000 shares of common stock. The 1994 Director Plan provides for the automatic granting to nonemployee directors or advisory directors of stock options to purchase the Company's common stock. In January 1994, each nonemployee director or advisory director received an option to purchase 1,500 shares of common stock. On the first business day immediately following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, beginning with the 1994 meeting, each nonemployee director or advisory director, received, or will receive, an option to purchase 1,500 shares of the Company's common stock at the fair market value of such stock on such date. Currently, under the 1994 Director Plan, Mr. Clements, Mr. Lamont, Mr. Stone, Mr. Waggoner and Mr. Gilchrist each hold options for 7,500 shares of common stock. Mr. Day and Mr. Taylor each hold options for 3,000 shares of common stock. The Company also has a 1993 Nonqualified Stock Option for Robert G. Stone, Jr. (the "Stone Option"). The Stone Option provided for the grant to Mr. Stone, in July 1993, of a stock option to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The purpose of the Stone Option is to provide an incentive to retain Mr. Stone as Chairman Emeritus of the Board or as a member of the Board. TRANSACTIONS WITH DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS During 1997, the Company provided marine transportation services to Navios Corporation. Mr. Day is President and Chief Executive Officer of Navios Corporation. Such services were provided in the ordinary course of business of the Company and Navios Corporation and were entered into on an arm's-length basis. In 1997, the dollar value of such transactions was approximately $237,813. The Company anticipates that similar services will be rendered in 1998. During 1997, the Company provided marine transportation services to Sterling Chemicals, Inc. Mr. Waggoner is a director and the former President of Sterling Chemicals, Inc. Such services were provided in the ordinary course of business of the Company and Sterling Chemicals, Inc. and were entered into on an arm's-length basis. In 1997, the dollar value of such transactions was approximately $376,494. The Company anticipates that similar services will be rendered in 1998. 6 10 BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK The following table sets forth information as of March 2, 1998 regarding beneficial ownership of common stock by each director, each named executive officer listed in the Summary Compensation Table, and by the directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. Under rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), "beneficial ownership" is deemed to include shares for which the individual, directly or indirectly, has or shares voting or investment power, whether or not they are held for the individual's benefit. - --------------- (1) Shares held individually or jointly with others, or in the name of a bank, broker or nominee for the individual's account. Also includes shares held under the Company's 401(k) plan. (2) Shares with respect to which directors or executive officers have or share voting or investment power. Mr. Taylor may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 3,218,700 shares owned by Portfolio A Investors, L.P. ("PAI") because he is the sole stockholder of Trinity Capital Management, Inc., which is the sole general partner of TF Investors, L.P., which is the sole general partner of Trinity I Fund, L.P., which is the sole stockholder of Portfolio Associates, Inc., which is the sole general partner of PAI. (3) The number of shares and percentage ownership of common stock for each person named assumes that shares of common stock issuable to that person upon the exercise of currently exercisable stock options or stock options exercisable within 60 days after the Record Date are outstanding. The number of shares and percentage ownership of common stock for the named directors and executive officers as a group assumes that all of the shares shown as beneficially owned by each of such persons are outstanding. (4) Unless otherwise indicated, beneficial ownership of any named individual is less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock. (5) Does not include 409,069 shares owned by his wife, Mary Noel Lamont, or 505,171 shares owned by trusts of which Ms. Lamont is the beneficiary. Mr. Lamont disclaims beneficial ownership of all 914,240 shares. (6) Includes 144,300 shares owned by trusts for which Mr. Peterkin is trustee, the beneficiaries of which are relatives of his or his wife. Mr. Peterkin disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. (7) Does not include 6,405 shares owned by a trust of which Mr. Stone is the trustee and in which he has a contingent remainder interest and 10,000 shares owned by a trust of which Mr. Stone is trustee. Also does not include 16,000 shares owned by his wife. Mr. Stone disclaims beneficial ownership of the foregoing shares. 7
SHARES OF COMMON STOCK BENEFICIALLY OWNED ON MARCH 2, 1998 --------------------------------------------------- PERCENT VOTING OR OF INVESTMENT RIGHT TO COMMON DIRECT(1) POWER(2) ACQUIRE(3) TOTAL STOCK(3)(4) --------- ---------- ---------- --------- ----------- DIRECTORS George F. Clements, Jr............... 10,000 17,500 27,500 C. Sean Day.......................... 8,000 8,000 Bob G. Gower......................... 5,000 5,000 William M. Lamont, Jr................ 3,142(5) 17,500 20,642 George A. Peterkin, Jr............... 457,116(6) 93,750 550,866 2.2% J. H. Pyne........................... 81,868 151,250 233,118 Robert G. Stone, Jr.................. 120,450(7) 42,500 162,950 Thomas M. Taylor..................... 3,218,700 8,000 3,226,700 13.2% J. Virgil Waggoner................... 6,000 17,500 23,500 NAMED EXECUTIVES Brian K. Harrington.................. 5,814 108,750 114,564 Ronald C. Dansby..................... 85,000 85,000 Dorman L. Strahan.................... 46,500 46,500 Directors and Executive Officers as a group (13 in number)............... 698,803 3,218,700 627,875 4,545,378 18.1% 11 COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The Board of Directors of the Company has a standing Compensation Committee whose functions are to (1) make recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding compensation policies, including salary, bonuses and other compensation, (2) administer all of the Company's stock option plans, and (3) grant stock options under the Company's stock option plans, except those plans as to which grants of options are automatic and those as to which no additional options may be granted. The Compensation Committee held six meetings in 1997. In 1997, the Board of Directors did not modify or reject in any material way any action or recommendation of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee is composed of five members and one advisory member, none of whom are employees of the Company and all of whom are "Disinterested Persons" or "Outside Directors" as defined in the various Company stock option plans. Compensation of executive officers is based primarily on three elements: (1) base salary, (2) annual incentives, such as bonuses, and (3) long-term incentives, primarily stock options. The basic goal is to pay compensation comparable to similar corporations, giving due regard to relative financial performance, and to tie annual incentives and long-term incentives to corporate performance and a return to the Company's stockholders. With regard to base salary, the objective is to set compensation at somewhat below the competitive median for similar positions in similar companies, and the Compensation Committee believes that this has generally been achieved. With regard to the annual cash incentives for an executive officer, exclusive of base salary, the Compensation Committee attempts to set bonuses at a level such that, with a positive performance by the executive officer, and a certain level of profitability by the Company, the total compensation for such executive officer, being base salary plus annual cash incentives, should be above the median total cash compensation of similar corporations and positions. The Compensation Committee believes that total annual cash compensation above the median for similar corporations and positions is appropriate since a significant portion of each executive officer's total annual cash compensation is at risk due to both individual as well as company performance factors. The executive officers of the Company's marine transportation group are considered for annual incentive bonuses based on a Return on Invested Capital formula that calculates a bonus pool and then distributes such bonus pool to executive officers based on company and individual performance. Annual incentive bonuses for corporate executive officers who do not work for any of the Company's operating groups are recommended by the Compensation Committee and are determined by the nonmanagement members of the Board of Directors. Major factors in determining these bonuses are the perceived individual contributions and the correlation of such contributions to the overall corporate performance, the level of bonuses paid to executive officers in the marine transportation groups and the strategic and financial performance of the Company. Stock options granted to executive officers and other Company employees have been granted at a price equal to the fair market value of Common Stock on the date of grant and, except for the Premium Stock Options granted on November 5, 1996 (the "Premium Stock Options"), generally vest in equal increments over a period of four years and, unless earlier terminated, are for a period of ten years. The Premium Stock Options are for a period of ten years. Fifty percent of the Premium Stock Options may be exercised if the price of the Company's Common Stock exceeds $28.73 per share for twenty consecutive business days prior to the fourth anniversary of the date of grant. All of the Premium Stock Options may be exercised if the price of the Company's Common Stock exceeds $30.88 per share for twenty consecutive business days prior to the fourth anniversary of the date of the grant. All of the Premium Stock Options may be exercised after the ninth anniversary of the date of the grant. The Compensation Committee's objective for long-term incentive compensation for executive officers is the median for long-term incentive compensation of similar corporations and positions, giving effect to the Company's long-term performance relative to its peers. 8 12 In addition to retirement, health care and similar benefits, the primary long-term incentives for executive officers are options under the Company's stock option plans. Generally, in January or December of each year, stock option awards have been considered by the Compensation Committee, which has made recommendations to the Board of Directors; however, beginning February 1, 1994, such stock option awards are made by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee believes that the Company's long-term executive officer compensation, as evidenced by the options granted to date, does not exceed the value of stock options granted by similar companies to their executive officers holding similar positions. The Compensation Committee encounters certain difficulties in establishing a peer group of companies for compensation comparison purposes because there are few publicly traded marine transportation companies of similar size and none with a similar service mix. Some other marine transportation companies are limited partnerships or subsidiaries of larger public corporations, again making comparisons difficult. The Compensation Committee also compares the Company's executive compensation to the executive compensation of similar-sized publicly held industrial companies. Based on information available to it, the Compensation Committee believes that the Company's executive compensation is consistent with the criteria set forth above. The Compensation Committee recognizes that certain elements of executive compensation are determined on a subjective basis; however, the Compensation Committee believes that, since it is satisfied that total executive compensation is not excessive, these procedures are better for both the Company and its executives than would be a rigid formula-driven system. The Compensation Committee recognizes that external factors, such as flood waters, low water levels and other weather-related conditions, as well as the general business climate, and the demand for the movement of refined products and industrial chemicals, impact the Company's earnings, and the Compensation Committee looks to longer-term results rather than endeavoring to equate compensation to some annual percentage of earnings or increased earnings. On October 18, 1994, on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors adopted an unfunded, non-qualified Deferred Compensation Plan for Key Employees effective January 1, 1992, which Plan was designed primarily to provide additional benefits to eligible employees to restore benefits to which they would be entitled under the Company's Qualified Retirement Program were it not for certain limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The Plan is designed to restore benefits for employees being compensated in excess of $150,000 per annum. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, enacted in 1993, generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for compensation over $1 million paid to any of the Chief Executive Officer and four other most highly compensated executive officers. Certain performance-based compensation, however, is specifically exempt from the deduction limit. The Compensation Committee did take the steps necessary to qualify the Premium Stock Options awarded to executive officers under the Company's 1996 Employee Stock Option Plan for deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Compensation Committee considers the net cost to the Company in making all compensation decisions. On the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the 1997 base salary compensation for J. H. Pyne, the Company's Chief Executive Officer, was established at $325,000 by the Company's Board of Directors effective January 21, 1997. The $140,103 bonus paid to Mr. Pyne in 1997, which was earned in 1996, was determined by the Company's Board of Directors on April 15, 1997, on the recommendation of the Compensation Committee. The Chief Executive Officer's base pay and bonus were generally based on the same factors and criteria outlined above, being compensation paid to chief executives of corporations of similar size, individual as well as corporate performance and a general correlation with compensation of other executive officers of the Company. Following the adoption of the Premium Stock Option Program and the granting of Premium Stock Options thereunder in 1996, the Compensation Committee did not grant any stock options to the Company's principal executive officers in 1997. The Compensation Committee generally has granted stock options based on its belief that stock options are a key element in the Company's executive compensation policy. The 9 13 Compensation Committee grants stock options for executive officers based on its evaluation of individual performance and the Company's overall performance. The Compensation Committee recognizes that there is a significant subjective element in this procedure, but believes that such procedure is better suited to the Company than would be a formula-driven policy. Total options outstanding at the end of 1997 were for 1,016,350 shares, excluding the Premium Stock Options, constituting 4.2% of the then outstanding common stock of the Company, and 901,000 shares in the Premium Stock Option Program, constituting 3.7% of the then outstanding common stock of the Company, assuming all such options were fully exercised. The Compensation Committee believes that options in this amount are justified and are within the range of similar corporations that consider stock options an important part of their executive compensation package and that the options held by the Chief Executive Officer are an appropriate portion of the total options. The Compensation Committee believes that the Premium Stock Option Program places a greater proportion of the compensation of senior executives at risk under an incentive program which is clearly aligned with the creation of stockholder value. COMPENSATION COMMITTEE William M. Lamont, Jr., Chairman George F. Clements, Jr. Robert G. Stone, Jr. Thomas M. Taylor J. Virgil Waggoner Henry Gilchrist, Advisory Member COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION The members of the Compensation Committee are Mr. Lamont, Mr. Clements, Mr. Stone, Mr. Taylor and Mr. Waggoner. No member of the Compensation Committee is or has been an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Mr. Gilchrist, a nonvoting advisory member of the Compensation Committee, served as the Secretary of the Company until April 1997, but was not and is not an employee of the Company. During 1997, the Company provided marine transportation services to companies with which Mr. Day and Mr. Waggoner have relationships. See "Transactions with Directors and Officers." In 1997, no executive officers of the Company served on the board of directors or compensation committee of another entity, any of whose executive officers served on the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee of the Company. 10 14 PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS The following table and notes set forth information as of the dates indicated concerning persons known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding common stock: - --------------- (1) To the Company's knowledge, all of the shares are directly owned by the named entities; none were subject to options or other rights to acquire beneficial ownerships in the future. (2) Based on information provided to the Company by PAI dated January 22, 1998. (3) Does not include 8,000 shares subject to presently exercisable stock options held by Mr. Taylor, a director of the Company, who may also be deemed to be a beneficial owner of the shares held by PAI as explained in footnote 2 to the table under "Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock." (4) Based on Schedule 13D, dated February 11, 1998, filed by Luther King Capital Management Corporation with the SEC. (5) Based on Schedule 13G, dated February 13, 1998, filed by GeoCapital, LLC with the SEC. (6) Based on information provided to the Company by Shapiro Capital Management, Inc. dated February 18, 1998. SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE The Company's directors and officers, and persons who own beneficially more than 10% of the Company's common stock, are required under Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to file reports of beneficial ownership and changes in beneficial ownership of the Company's common stock with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. Based solely on a review of the copies of reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, the Company believes that during 1997 all filing requirements were complied with. 11
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT NAME AND ADDRESS BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1) OF CLASS ---------------- --------------------- -------- Portfolio A Investors, L.P............................... 3,218,700(2)(3) 13.2% 201 Main Street, Suite 2600 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 Luther King Capital Management Corporation............... 2,167,345(4) 8.9% 301 Commerce Street, Suite 1600 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 GeoCapital, LLC.......................................... 2,024,130(5) 8.3% 767 Fifth Avenue, 45th Floor New York, NY 10153 Shapiro Capital Management, Inc.......................... 1,420,100(6) 5.8% 3060 Peachtree Road, Suite 1555 Atlanta, GA 30305 15 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE The following table summarizes compensation earned in 1995, 1996 and 1997 by the Chief Executive Officer and the four other highest paid executive officers (the "named officers") for 1997: - --------------- (1) Bonuses for the 1997 year, payable in 1998, have not been determined as of the date of this Proxy Statement. (2) No options were granted to the named officers during 1997. (3) Represents the aggregate value of the Company's contributions under the Company's Profit Sharing Plan, 401(k) Plan and Excess Benefit Plan. The Company's contributions under these deferred contribution plans for the 1997 year have not been determined as of the date of this Proxy Statement, except for the Company's matching contributions under the Company's 401(k) Plan, pursuant to which matching contributions to the individual accounts were as follows: $4,800 each to Mr. Pyne, Mr. Peterkin, Mr. Harrington and Mr. Dansby and $4,123 to Mr. Strahan. AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN 1997 AND 1997 YEAR-END OPTION VALUES The following table summarizes the value of the options held by the named officers at year-end 1997. During 1997, no named officer exercised stock options.
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS NAME AND --------------------- ------------ ALL OTHER PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) OPTIONS COMPENSATION ------------------ ---- --------- --------- ------------ ------------ J. H. Pyne....................................... 1997 $334,360 $ --(1) --(2) $ --(3) President, Director and 1996 309,360 140,103 475,000 26,555 Chief Executive Officer 1995 288,674 120,000 25,000 87,537 George A. Peterkin, Jr........................... 1997 209,360 --(1) --(2) --(3) Chairman of the 1996 234,360 85,000 61,000 26,555 Board of Directors 1995 283,046 100,000 25,000 38,650 Brian K. Harrington.............................. 1997 189,360 --(1) --(2) --(3) Senior Vice President and 1996 180,560 70,000 97,000 26,555 Treasurer 1995 173,960 64,000 15,000 27,042 Ronald C. Dansby................................. 1997 214,380 --(1) --(2) --(3) President -- Inland Division 1996 193,560 94,000 164,000 26,555 1995 186,360 85,000 25,000 26,324 Dorman L. Strahan................................ 1997 152,760 --(1) --(2) --(3) President -- Diesel Repair 1996 135,760 60,000 82,000 20,638 Division 1995 129,160 50,000 22,000 16,789 - --------------- (1) Based on the closing price of the Company's common stock of $19.3125 on December 31, 1997. 12
NUMBER OF SECURITIES UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED VALUE OF UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT DECEMBER 31, 1997 DECEMBER 31, 1997(1) --------------------------- --------------------------- NAME EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE ---- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- J. H. Pyne...................................... 162,500 487,500 $1,340,469 $66,406 George A. Peterkin, Jr.......................... 151,250 74,750 1,453,750 55,625 Brian K. Harrington............................. 97,500 104,500 652,969 39,844 Ronald C. Dansby................................ 82,500 176,500 582,188 27,500 Dorman L. Strahan............................... 44,000 93,000 210,313 23,000 16 COMPENSATION AGREEMENTS Kirby Inland Marine, Inc. (formerly named Dixie Carriers, Inc.) has a Deferred Compensation Agreement with Mr. Pyne in connection with his employment as its President. The agreement provides for benefits to Mr. Pyne totaling $4,175 per month commencing upon the later of his severance from the employment of Kirby Inland Marine, Inc., or his 65th birthday, and continuing until the month of his death. If Mr. Pyne should die prior to receiving such deferred compensation, the agreement provides for monthly payments to his beneficiary for a period of sixty months. The agreement also provides that no benefits will be paid if Mr. Pyne is terminated for cause (as defined in the agreement). The Company has an unfunded, nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan for key employees which was adopted in October 1994, effective January 1, 1992. The Plan, which is designed primarily to provide additional benefits to eligible employees to restore benefits to which they would be entitled under the Company's Profit Sharing Plan and 401(k) Plan were it not for certain limits imposed by the Internal Revenue Code. The benefits under the Deferred Compensation Plan are designed to restore benefits for employees being compensated in excess of $150,000 per year. The following table discloses for the named officers the amount of contributions to the Deferred Compensation Plan for the 1995 and 1996 years. Contributions for the 1997 year have not been determined as of the date of this Proxy Statement. 13
DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN ------------------ 1995 1996 ------- ------- J. H. Pyne.................................................. $22,375 $26,545 George A. Peterkin, Jr...................................... 21,402 13,639 Brian K. Harrington......................................... 2,530 3,748 Ronald C. Dansby............................................ 4,675 6,049 17 COMMON STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH The following performance graph compares the five-year cumulative return of the Company's Common Stock with that of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index (the "S&P 500 Index") and the Dow Jones Marine Transportation Index: COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG KIRBY CORPORATION, THE S&P 500 INDEX AND THE DOW JONES MARINE TRANSPORTATION INDEX Each index assumes $100 invested at December 31, 1992, and is calculated assuming quarterly reinvestment of dividends and quarterly weighting by market capitalization. OTHER BUSINESS (ITEM 2) The Board of Directors knows of no other business to be brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if any other matters are properly presented, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to take such action as in their judgment is in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders. RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS KPMG Peat Marwick LLP served as the Company's principal independent public accountants during 1997 and will continue to serve as the Company's principal independent public accountants for the current year. Representatives of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP are expected to be present at the 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, with the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions. 14
DOW JONES MEASUREMENT PERIOD KIRBY MARINE (FISCAL YEAR COVERED) CORPORATION S&P 500 INDEX TRANSPORTATION 12/92 100 100 100 12/93 163 110 128 12/94 150 112 118 12/95 124 153 134 12/96 150 189 164 12/97 147 252 197 18 STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 1999 ANNUAL MEETING Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the Company's 1999 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company no later than November 4, 1998 and must otherwise comply with the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be considered for inclusion in the Company's proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS THOMAS G. ADLER Secretary March 4, 1998 Houston, Texas 15 19 KIRBY CORPORATION 1775 ST. JAMES PLACE, SUITE 200 P.O. BOX 1745 HOUSTON, TEXAS 77251-1745 P THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF KIRBY CORPORATION. R The undersigned hereby appoints George A. Peterkin, Jr., J. H. Pyne, O G. Stephen Holcomb and Thomas G. Adler, and each of them, as Proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes each X to represent and to vote, as designated below, all the shares of common stock, par value $0.10 per share, of Kirby Corporation (the "Company") Y held of record by the undersigned on March 2, 1998, the Record Date, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on April 21, 1998, at The Sheraton Luxury Collection Hotel (formerly the Ritz Carlton Hotel), 1919 Briar Oaks Lane, Houston, Texas, at 10:00 a.m. (CDT) and any adjournment(s) thereof. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED STOCKHOLDER(S). IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE PERSONS LISTED IN ITEM 1 AND SHOULD ANY OF THEM BECOME UNAVAILABLE FOR NOMINATION OR ELECTION OR REFUSE TO BE NOMINATED OR ACCEPT ELECTION AS A DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY, THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF SUCH PERSON OR PERSONS AS MAY BE NOMINATED OR DESIGNATED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE PROXIES WILL USE THEIR DISCRETION WITH RESPECT TO ANY MATTER REFERRED TO IN ITEM 2. ----------- SEE REVERSE SIDE (PLEASE DATE AND SIGN ON REVERSE SIDE) ----------- 20 PLEASE MARK /X/ VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE. PLEASE MARK BOXES IN BLUE OR BLACK INK. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR ALL" OF THE FOLLOWING PROPOSALS: 1. To elect nine (9) directors to hold office until the next annual election of directors by stockholders or until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and shall have qualified. NOMINEES: George F. Clements, Jr., C. Sean Day, Bob G. Gower, William M. Lamont, Jr., George A. Peterkin, Jr., J. H. Pyne, Robert G. Stone, Jr., Thomas M. Taylor, J. Virgil Waggoner. FOR WITHHELD / / / / / / ______________________________________ For all nominees except as noted above 2. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN / / / / / / MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AT RIGHT / / Please execute this proxy as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When shares are held by joint owners, both should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, or other fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth the full title. If a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by president or other authorized officer. If a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person. Signature: ____________________________________ Date ___________________ Signature: ____________________________________ Date ___________________ PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THIS PROXY PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.