SCHEDULE 14A
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 Section 240.14a-12
IKONICS CORPORATION
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and
0-11.
(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
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(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
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(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):
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(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
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(5) Total fee paid:
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[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
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[ ] 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:
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(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
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(3) Filing Party:
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(4) Date Filed:
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IKONICS CORPORATION
4832 GRAND AVENUE
DULUTH, MINNESOTA 55807
(218) 628-2217
Dear Shareholder:
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held at The Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 E. Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota,
at 1:00 p.m., Central Time, on April 24, 2003.
The Secretary's Notice of Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement which
follow describe the matters to come before the meeting. During the meeting, we
will also review the activities of the past year and items of general interest
about the Company.
We hope that you will be able to attend the meeting in person and we
look forward to seeing you. Please mark, date and sign the enclosed proxy and
return it in the accompanying envelope as quickly as possible, even if you plan
to attend the Annual Meeting. You may revoke the proxy and vote in person at
that time if you so desire.
Sincerely,
/s/ WILLIAM C. ULLAND
William C. Ulland
Chairman of the Board
March 14, 2003
IKONICS CORPORATION
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON APRIL 24, 2003
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of IKONICS Corporation will be held
at The Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 E. Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota, at 1:00
p.m., Central Time, on April 24, 2003 for the following purposes:
1. To elect six directors for a one-year term.
2. To transact such other business as may properly be brought
before the meeting.
The Board of Directors has fixed March 7, 2003 as the record date for
the meeting, and only shareholders of record at the close of business on that
date are entitled to receive notice of and vote at the meeting.
YOUR PROXY IS IMPORTANT TO ENSURE A QUORUM AT THE MEETING. EVEN IF YOU
OWN ONLY A FEW SHARES, AND WHETHER OR NOT YOU EXPECT TO BE PRESENT AT THE
MEETING, PLEASE MARK, DATE AND SIGN THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT IN THE
ACCOMPANYING POSTAGE-PAID REPLY ENVELOPE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. YOU MAY REVOKE
YOUR PROXY AT ANY TIME PRIOR TO ITS EXERCISE AND RETURNING YOUR PROXY WILL NOT
AFFECT YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE IN PERSON IF YOU ATTEND THE MEETING AND REVOKE THE
PROXY.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ JEFFERY A. LAABS
Jeffery A. Laabs
Secretary
Duluth, Minnesota
March 14, 2003
PROXY STATEMENT
GENERAL INFORMATION
The enclosed proxy is being solicited by the Board of Directors of
IKONICS Corporation, a Minnesota corporation ("IKONICS" or the "Company"), for
use in connection with the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on April
24, 2003 at The Kitchi Gammi Club, 831 E. Superior Street, Duluth, Minnesota, at
1:00 p.m., Central Time, and at any adjournments thereof. Only shareholders of
record at the close of business on March 7, 2003 will be entitled to vote at
such meeting or adjournment. Proxies in the accompanying form which are properly
signed, duly returned to the Company and not revoked will be voted in the manner
specified. A shareholder executing a proxy retains the right to revoke it at any
time before it is exercised by notice in writing to the Secretary of the Company
of termination of the proxy's authority or a properly signed and duly returned
proxy bearing a later date.
The address of the principal executive office of the Company is 4832
Grand Avenue, Duluth, Minnesota 55807 and the telephone number is (612)
628-2217. The mailing of this Proxy Statement and the Board of Directors' form
of proxy to shareholders will commence on or about March 14, 2003.
The Company will pay the cost of soliciting proxies in the accompanying
form. In addition to solicitation by the use of the mails, certain directors,
officers and employees of the Company may solicit proxies by telephone,
telegram, electronic mail or personal contact, and have requested brokerage
firms and custodians, nominees and other record holders to forward soliciting
materials to the beneficial owners of stock of the Company and will reimburse
them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses in so forwarding such
materials.
The Common Stock of the Company, par value $.10 per share, is the only
authorized and issued voting security of the Company. At the close of business
on March 7, 2003 there were 1,248,127 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding, each of which is entitled to one vote. Holders of Common Stock are
not entitled to cumulate their votes for the election of directors.
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting
and entitled to vote is required for approval of each proposal presented in this
Proxy Statement. A shareholder voting through a proxy who abstains with respect
to any matter is considered to be present and entitled to vote on such matter at
the meeting and is in effect a negative vote. However, a shareholder (including
a broker) who does not give authority to vote, or withholds authority to vote,
on any proposal shall not be considered present and entitled to vote on such
proposal.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth, as of February 28, 2003, the number of
shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by each person who is a beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock issued and outstanding, by each
executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table, by each director, and
by all officers and directors as a group. All persons have sole voting and
dispositive power over such shares unless otherwise indicated.
NAME AND ADDRESS NUMBER PERCENTAGE OF
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER(1) OF SHARES OUTSTANDING SHARES
---------------------- ---------- ------------------
Directors and executive officers:
William C. Ulland 156,550(2) 12.36%
Charles H. Andresen 19,602(3) 1.56
Gerald W. Simonson 77,165(4) 6.13
David O. Harris 62,443(5) 4.96
Rondi Erickson 6,225(6) *
Leigh Severance 131,936(7) 10.53
All directors and executive officers as 496,921(8) 37.24
a group (10 persons, including those
named above)
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* Less than one percent.
(1) The address for each of the persons listed below in 4832 Grand Avenue,
Duluth, Minnesota 55807.
(2) Includes options to purchase 18,300 shares of Common Stock exercisable
within 60 days of February 28, 2003.
(3) Includes options to purchase 9,845 shares of Common Stock exercisable
within 60 days of February 28, 2003.
(4) Includes options to purchase 9,845 shares of Common Stock exercisable
within 60 days of February 28, 2003.
(5) Includes options to purchase 9,845 shares of Common Stock exercisable
within 60 days of February 28, 2003.
(6) Includes options to purchase 5,225 shares of Common Stock exercisable
within 60 days of February 28, 2003.
(7) Includes options to purchase 5,225 shares of Common Stock exercisable
within 60 days of February 28, 2003.
(8) Includes options to purchase 86,385 shares of Common Stock exercisable
within 60 days of February 28, 2003.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The business of the Company is managed under the direction of a Board
of Directors, with the number of directors fixed from time to time by the Board
of Directors. The Board of Directors has fixed at six the number of directors to
be elected to the Board at the 2003 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and has
nominated the six persons named below for election as directors, each to serve
for a one-year term. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will, unless
otherwise directed, be voted to elect the six nominees named below.
Each of the nominees is a current director of the Company and each has
indicated a willingness to serve as a director for the one-year term. In case
any nominee is not a candidate for any reason, the proxies named in the enclosed
form of proxy may vote for a substitute nominee in their discretion.
Following is certain information regarding the nominees for the office
of director:
William C. Ulland, age 62
Mr. Ulland has been a director and Chairman of the Board of the Company
since 1972. On February 7, 2000, he became Chief Executive Officer. On December
19, 2000, he was named to the additional position of President. Since 1977, Mr.
Ulland has been Managing Partner of American Shield Company, a mineral
exploration and development company located in Duluth, Minnesota.
Charles H. Andresen, age 62
Mr. Andresen was elected as a director of the Company in 1979. Mr.
Andresen has been a shareholder in the law firm of Andresen, Haag, Paciotti, &
Butterworth, P.A., in Duluth, Minnesota for more than the past five years.
Gerald W. Simonson, age 72
Mr. Simonson was elected as a director of the Company in 1978. He has
been the President of Omnetics Connector Corporation, a manufacturer of
microminiature connectors for the electronics industry located in Minneapolis,
Minnesota, for more than the past five years. Mr. Simonson is also a director of
Broadview Media, Inc., a film and video production company.
David O. Harris, age 68
Mr. Harris was elected a director of the Company in 1965. He has been
President of David O. Harris, Inc., a manufacturer's representative firm in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, for more than the past five years.
Rondi Erickson, age 55
Ms. Erickson was elected as a director of the Company in 2000. She has
been the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Apprise Technologies Inc., a
company that develops and sells optical and electronic-based sensor
technologies, since October 1999. Prior to joining Apprise,
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Ms. Erickson founded American Science Corporation, a registered FDA
manufacturing establishment that provided contract manufacturing and research
and development support for a dental pharmaceutical company, in 1995. Prior to
founding American Science, Ms. Erickson founded Bay West, Inc., an environmental
services firm, in 1974 and served as its Chief Executive Officer.
H. Leigh Severance, age 64
Mr. Severance was elected as a director of the Company in 2000. He has
been the President of Severance Capital Management, a provider of investment
management and research services to partnerships and individual investors, since
1983. Prior to founding Severance Capital Management, Mr. Severance was a
portfolio manager with J.M. Hartwell & Co. Founders Growth Fund and Cambiar
Investors since 1968. Mr. Severance also serves as a director of a private
company.
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND MEETING ATTENDANCE
The Board of Directors met five times during fiscal 2002. All incumbent
directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and of the
committees on which they served held during the periods for which they served as
a director. The Company currently has an Audit Committee and a Compensation
Committee. Following is a description of the functions performed by each of the
Committees:
Audit Committee
The Company's Audit Committee presently consists of Messrs. Simonson
(Chairman), Andresen, Harris and Severance and Ms. Erickson. All of the members
of the Audit Committee are "independent" as that term is defined in the
applicable listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market. The Audit Committee
provides assistance to the Board of Directors in fulfilling their duties
relating to corporate accounting, reporting practices of the Company and the
quality and integrity of the Company's financial reports. Among other things,
the Audit Committee selects and appoints the Company's independent auditors,
meets with the independent auditors and financial management to review the scope
of the audit and the audit procedures and reviews annually the responsibilities
of the Audit Committee and recommends to the Board of Directors any changes to
these responsibilities. The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set
forth in the Audit Committee Charter, adopted by the Company's Board of
Directors on June 13, 2000. The Audit Committee met twice during fiscal 2002.
The Board of Directors of the Company is currently reviewing the existing Audit
Committee Charter in light of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and will revise
the existing Audit Committee Charter as necessary to comply with the new Act.
Compensation Committee
The Company's Compensation Committee presently consists of Messrs.
Andresen (Chairman), Simonson, Harris and Severance and Ms. Erickson. The
Compensation Committee annually reviews and acts upon the compensation package
for the Chief Executive Officer and sets compensation policy for the other
employees of the Company. In addition, the Compensation Committee acts upon
management recommendations concerning employee stock options, bonuses and other
compensation and benefit plans. The Compensation Committee also administers the
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Chromaline Corporation 1995 Stock Incentive Plan. The Compensation Committee met
three times during fiscal 2002.
Director Compensation
During 1998, each non-employee director of the Company who beneficially
owned not more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock received a
one-time grant of an option to purchase 3,300 shares of the Company's Common
Stock under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan. These options have an exercise price
equal to the fair market value on the date of grant and will expire seven years
from the date of grant. In addition, each non-employee director of the Company
who beneficially owns not more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock
receives a quarterly retainer of $1,000, plus per meeting fees of $700 for each
meeting of the Board of Directors attended in person, $350 for each meeting of
the Board of Directors attended by telephone, $300 for each committee meeting
attended in person and $150 for each committee meeting attended by telephone.
On April 26, 1999, each non-employee director of the Company who
beneficially owned not more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock
received a one-time grant of an option to purchase 1,320 shares of the Company's
Common Stock under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan. These options have an exercise
price equal to the fair market value on the date of the grant and will expire
seven years from the date of the grant. Mr. Ulland also received a grant of an
incentive stock option to purchase 3,300 shares of the Company's Common Stock
under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan in connection with his position as Chairman
of the Board of Directors. Mr. Ulland's options have an exercise price equal to
110% of the fair market value on the date of the grant and will expire seven
years from the date of the grant.
On April 26, 2000, each non-employee director of the Company received a
one-time grant of an option to purchase 1,600 shares of the Company's Common
Stock under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan. These options have an exercise price
equal to the fair market value on the date of the grant and will expire five
years from the date of the grant. Mr. Ulland also received a grant of an
incentive stock option to purchase 5,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan in connection with his position as Chairman
of the Board of Directors. Mr. Ulland's options have an exercise price equal to
110% of the fair market value on the date of the grant and will expire five
years from the date of the grant.
On April 24, 2001, each non-employee director of the Company received a
one-time grant of an option to purchase 2,175 shares of the Company's Common
Stock under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan. These options have an exercise price
equal to the fair market value on the date of the grant and will expire five
years from the date of the grant. Mr. Ulland also received a grant of an
incentive stock option to purchase 6,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan in connection with his position as Chairman
of the Board of Directors. Mr. Ulland's options have an exercise price equal to
110% of the fair market value on the date of the grant and will expire five
years from the date of the grant.
On June 3, 2002, each non-employee director of the Company received a
one-time grant of an option to purchase 1,450 shares of the Company's Common
Stock under the 1995 Stock Incentive Plan. These options have an exercise price
equal to the fair market value on the date of the grant and will expire five
years from the date of the grant. Mr. Ulland also received a grant of an
incentive
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stock option to purchase 4,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock under the
1995 Stock Incentive Plan in connection with his position as Chairman of the
Board of Directors. Mr. Ulland's options have an exercise price equal to 110% of
the fair market value on the date of the grant and will expire five years from
the date of the grant.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The role of the Company's Audit Committee, which is composed of five
independent non-employee directors, is one of oversight of the Company's
management and the Company's outside auditors in regard to the Company's
financial reporting and the Company's controls respecting accounting and
financial reporting. In performing its oversight function, the Audit Committee
relied upon advice and information received in its discussions with the
Company's management and independent auditors.
On November 19, 2002, both the Audit Committee and the full Board of
Directors unanimously approved the replacement of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the
Company's auditors. The Audit Committee and the Board also unanimously approved
the retention of McGladrey & Pullen LLP as the Company's auditors. No
disagreements arose between the Company and Deloitte & Touche LLP during their
tenure as the Company's auditors which required disclosure under applicable SEC
rules.
The Audit Committee has (i) reviewed and discussed the Company's
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002 with
the Company's management; (ii) discussed with the Company's independent auditors
the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61
regarding communication with audit committees (Codification of Statements on
Auditing Standards, AU sec. 380); (iii) received the written disclosures and the
letter from the Company's independent accountant required by Independence
Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees);
and (iv) discussed with the Company's independent accountant the independent
accountant's independence.
Based on the review and discussions with management and the Company's
independent auditors referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the
Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2002 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Gerald W. Simonson, Chairman
Charles H. Andresen
David O. Harris
H. Leigh Severance
Rondi Erickson
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AUDIT FEES
The aggregate fees billed for the audit of the Company's annual consolidated
financial statements for fiscal 2002 and for the review of the Company's interim
consolidated financial statements for each quarter in fiscal 2002 were
approximately $46,480.
ALL OTHER FEES
The Company also paid its principal accountant approximately $13,200 for fees
related to tax services. No other services were rendered to the Company by the
Company's principal accountant during fiscal 2002. The Audit Committee has
determined that the provision of these services was compatible with maintaining
the independence of the Company's principal accountant.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Following is certain information regarding the current executive
officers of the Company other than William C. Ulland:
Jeffery A. Laabs, age 48
Mr. Laabs was named Chief Financial Officer on January 1, 2000. He
previously served as Vice President of Finance and Controller of the Company
since May 1998. He also serves as Treasurer and Secretary of the Company. Mr.
Laabs was a Senior Financial Analyst for Lake Superior Paper Industries in
Duluth, Minnesota from September 1986 until he joined Chromaline in 1998. His
prior experience includes various financial positions with Kimberly Clark
Corporation from September 1981 until September 1986. Mr. Laabs received a
Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Lake Superior State University in
1976. He earned the designation of Certified Management Accountant in 1996.
Claude P. Piguet, age 45
Mr. Piguet was named Executive Vice President December 19, 2000.
Previously, he was the Company's Vice President of Operations since May 1994. He
was the Company's Director of Operations from January 1992 to May 1994. Mr.
Piguet joined Chromaline in 1990 and holds a diploma of Engineer ETS/HTL from
the Ecole D'Ingenieurs de l'Etat de Vaud in Switzerland.
Toshifumi Komatsu, age 48
Mr. Komatsu has been the Company's Vice President of Technology since
September 1993. Previously, he served as Chromaline's Director of Research and
Development for two years. Mr. Komatsu has been with Chromaline's Research and
Development Department for 15 years. His prior experience includes positions in
research and development at Alberta Gas Chemicals, a manufacturer of organic
acids. He received a B.S. in Chemistry and Mathematics from the College of Saint
Scholastica in 1980.
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Robert D. Banks, Jr., age 51
Mr. Banks has been the Company's Vice President of International Sales
since February 1997. Previously, he was the Company's Director of International
Sales and Marketing from 1989 to 1997.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
compensation for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2002, 2001 and 2000
provided to the individual who served as Chief Executive Officer of the Company
during 2002 (the "Named Executive Officer"). None of the Company's other
executive officers received remuneration exceeding $100,000 in 2002.
LONG-TERM
------------
COMPENSATION
------------
AWARDS
ANNUAL ------------
COMPENSATION SHARES
--------------------------------- UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY(1) BONUS OPTIONS(2) COMPENSATION
--------------------------- ---- -------------- -------------- ------------ --------------
William C. Ulland, 2002 $ 144,200 $ 0 4,000 $ 0
Chairman, President and Chief 2001 140,000 0 6,000 0
Executive Officer 2000 116,962 1,960 5,000 0
---------------
(1) Mr. Ulland became Chief Executive Officer on February 7, 2000. Prior to
that time he was Chairman of the Company. If Mr. Ulland had been
employed as both Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for all of 2000,
his salary would have been $127,000. Mr. Ulland was named to the
additional position of President on December 19, 2000.
(2) Represents options to purchase Common Stock granted under the Company's
1995 Stock Incentive Plan.
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OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table summarizes option grants made during fiscal 2002 to
the Named Executive Officer.
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
-------------------------------------------------------------
PERCENTAGE POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
NUMBER OF OF TOTAL AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
SHARES OPTIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION FOR
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE OPTION TERM(1)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN PRICE PER EXPIRATION --------------------------
NAME GRANTED(2) FISCAL YEAR SHARE DATE 5% 10%
---- ----------- ------------ --------- ---------- --------------------------
William C. Ulland 4,000 15.3% $3.4375 6/3/2007 $17,549 $22,144
----------
(1) The potential realizable value is based on a 5-year term of each option at
the time of grant. Assumed stock price appreciation of 5% and 10% is
mandated by rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not
intended to forecast actual future financial performance or possible future
appreciation. The potential realizable value is calculated by assuming that
the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of grant
appreciates at the indicated rate for the entire term of the option and
that the option is exercised at the exercise price and sold on the last day
of its term at the appreciated price.
(2) Options granted pursuant to the Company's 1995 Stock Incentive Plan
reflected in this table are exercisable at an exercise price equal to 110%
of the fair market value on the date of grant. The options in the above
table were immediately vested on the date of grant. These options have a
maximum term of five years, subject to earlier termination in the event of
the optionee's cessation of service with the Company.
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AGGREGATE OPTION
EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The purpose of the following table is to report the exercise of stock
options by the Named Executive Officer during fiscal 2002 and the value of his
unexercised stock options as of December 31, 2002.
NUMBER OF SHARES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR-END AT FISCAL YEAR-END(1)
ACQUIRED VALUE ------------------------------ -----------------------------
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
William C. Ulland - - 18,300 - $0 -
----------
(1) Value is based on the difference between the per share closing price of
the Company's Common Stock on December 31, 2002 ($3.30 per share) and
the exercise price of the options.
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS; TERMINATION OF
EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS
The Company does not have any employment or non-competition agreements
with any members of its executive management team, but has entered into
confidentiality and non-solicitation agreements with such persons. Such
agreements provide that the executive will not solicit any other employee of the
Company to leave the Company during the executive's employment with the Company
and for one year following such employment, will not compete with the Company
during the executive's employment and will protect the proprietary information
of the Company during and following such executive's employment.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"Exchange Act"), requires that the Company's directors, executive officers and
persons who own more than ten percent of the Company's Common Stock file initial
reports of ownership of the Company's Common Stock and changes in such ownership
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. To the Company's knowledge based
solely on a review of copies of forms submitted to the Company during and with
respect to fiscal 2002 and on written representations from the Company's
directors and executive officers, all required reports were filed on a timely
basis during fiscal 2002.
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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Rondi Erickson joined the Company's Board of Directors in April 2000.
Ms. Erickson is the Chief Executive Officer and a director of Apprise
Technologies, Inc. ("Apprise"). In 2000, the Company purchased 150,000 shares of
Common Stock of Apprise and a Warrant to purchase an additional 150,000 shares
of Common Stock for an aggregate purchase price of $112,500. In 2001, the
Company purchased 75,668 shares of Series C Preferred Stock of Apprise and a
Warrant to purchase an additional 18,917 shares of Common Stock for an aggregate
purchase price of $75,000. As of February 22, 2003, the Company's ownership of
Apprise Common and Preferred Stock represents approximately 4.7% of the
outstanding shares of Apprise and approximately 6.4% on a fully-diluted basis.
RELATIONSHIP WITH AND APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP served as the auditors for the
Company from January 1996 until November 19, 2002. On November 19, 2002, the
Audit Committee and the full Board of Director's unanimously approved the
replacement of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company's auditors. The Audit
Committee and the Board also unanimously approved the retention of McGladrey &
Pullen LLP as the Company's auditors. No disagreements arose between the Company
and Deloitte & Touche LLP during their tenure as the Company's auditors which
required disclosure under applicable SEC rules.
The Board of Directors has selected McGladrey & Pullen LLP to serve as
the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003.
It is the judgement of the Board and its Audit Committee, that McGladrey &
Pullen LLP has and will conduct its affairs in an appropriate manner and
warranted selection as the Company's independent auditors
A representative of McGladrey & Pullen LLP will be present at the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders and will be afforded an opportunity to make a
statement if such representative so desires and will be available to respond to
appropriate questions during the meeting.
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ADDITIONAL MATTERS
The Annual Report of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2002,
including financial statements, is being mailed with this Proxy Statement.
Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 2004 Annual
Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company at its principal
executive office no later than December 1, 2003 for inclusion in the Proxy
Statement for that meeting. Any other shareholder proposal must be received by
the Company at its principal executive office no later than January 31, 2004 in
order to be presented at the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, management knows of no matters
that will be presented for determination at the meeting other than those
referred to herein. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting
calling for a vote of shareholders, it is intended that the shares of Common
Stock represented by the proxies solicited by the Board of Directors will be
voted by the persons named therein in accordance with their best judgment.
By Order of the Board of Directors,
/s/ JEFFERY A. LAABS
Jeffery A. Laabs
Secretary
Dated: March 14, 2003
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IKONICS CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
THURSDAY, APRIL 24, 2003
1:00 P.M., LOCAL TIME
THE KITCHI GAMMI CLUB
831 E. SUPERIOR STREET
DULUTH, MINNESOTA
IKONICS CORPORATION
4832 GRAND AVENUE, DULUTH, MN 55807 PROXY
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting
on April 24, 2003.
The shares of stock you hold in your account will be voted as you specify on the
reverse side.
If no choice is specified, the proxy will be voted "FOR" Item 1.
By signing the proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint William C. Ulland
and Jeffery A. Laabs, and each of them, with full power of substitution, to vote
your shares on the matter shown on the reverse side and any other matters which
may come before the Annual Meeting and all adjournments.
SEE REVERSE FOR VOTING INSTRUCTIONS.
HOW TO VOTE YOUR PROXY
Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope
we've provided or return it to IKONICS Corporation, c/o Shareowner Services,
P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0873.
\/ Please detach here \/
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ITEM 1.
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1. Election of directors: 01 Charles H. Andresen 04 William C. Ulland [ ] Vote FOR [ ] Vote WITHHELD
02 David O. Harris 05 Rondi C. Erickson all nominees from all nominees
03 Gerald W. Simonson 06 H. Leigh Severance (except as marked)
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(INSTRUCTIONS: TO WITHHOLD AUTHORITY TO VOTE FOR ANY INDICATED NOMINEE, | |
WRITE THE NUMBER(S) OF THE NOMINEE(S) IN THE BOX PROVIDED TO THE RIGHT.) |_____________________________________________|
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEM 1.
Address Change? Mark Box [ ] Date ____________________________________, 2003
Indicate changes below:
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Signature(s) in Box
(If there are co-owners, each must sign.)
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on
Proxy. If held in joint tenancy, all persons
must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc.,
should include title and authority. Corporations
should provide full name of corporation and
title of authorized officer signing the proxy.