Definitive Proxy Statement

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(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 §240.14a-11(c) or §240.14a-12

 

 

DRIL-QUIP, INC.


(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):

 

x No fee required.

 

¨ Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.

 

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  (3) Price per unit 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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¨ 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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Notes:

Reg. § 240.14a-101.

SEC 1913 (3-99)


LOGO   

Dril-Quip, Inc.

13550 Hempstead Highway

Houston, Texas 77040

  
     
     

March 28, 2006

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders to be held at the Omni Houston Hotel Westside, 13210 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas on May 10, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. For those of you who cannot be present at this annual meeting, we urge that you participate by indicating your choices on the enclosed proxy card and completing and returning it at your earliest convenience.

This booklet includes the notice of the meeting and the proxy statement, which contains information about the Board of Directors and its committees and personal information about the nominees for the Board. Other matters on which action is expected to be taken during the meeting are also described.

It is important that your shares are represented at the meeting, whether or not you are able to attend personally. Accordingly, please sign, date and mail promptly the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, thank you for your continued support.

 

LOGO

 

Larry E. Reimert

Co-Chairman of the Board

and Co-Chief Executive Officer

 

LOGO

 

Gary D. Smith

Co-Chairman of the Board

and Co-Chief Executive Officer

 

LOGO

 

J. Mike Walker

Co-Chairman of the Board

and Co-Chief Executive Officer


DRIL-QUIP, INC.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held May 10, 2006

To the Stockholders of

Dril-Quip, Inc.:

The annual meeting of stockholders of Dril-Quip, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the Omni Houston Hotel Westside, 13210 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, May 10, 2006 at 2:00 p.m., Houston time, for the following purposes:

 

  1. To elect two directors to serve for a three-year term.

 

  2. To approve the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm of the Company for 2006.

 

  3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any reconvened meeting after an adjournment thereof.

The Board of Directors has fixed March 21, 2006 as the record date for determining stockholders of the Company entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any reconvened meeting after an adjournment thereof, and only holders of Common Stock of the Company of record at the close of business on that date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any reconvened meeting after an adjournment.

You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. Even if you plan to attend the meeting, however, you are requested to mark, sign, date and return the accompanying proxy as soon as possible.

 

By Order of the Board of Directors

LOGO

 

Gary D. Smith

Co-Chairman of the Board, Co-Chief Executive

Officer and Secretary

March 28, 2006

13550 Hempstead Highway

Houston, Texas 77040


Dril-Quip, Inc.

13550 Hempstead Highway

Houston, Texas 77040

 


PROXY STATEMENT

 


INTRODUCTION

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Dril-Quip, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), of proxies from the holders of the Company’s common stock, par value $.01 per share (“Common Stock”), for use at the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held at the time and place and for the purposes set forth in the accompanying notice. The approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the accompanying proxy will first be mailed to stockholders is April 5, 2006. In addition to the solicitation of proxies by mail, proxies may also be solicited by telephone or personal interview by regular employees of the Company. The Company will pay all costs of soliciting proxies. The Company will also reimburse brokers or other persons holding stock in their names or in the names of their nominees for their reasonable expenses in forwarding proxy material to beneficial owners of such stock.

All duly executed proxies received prior to the Annual Meeting will be voted in accordance with the choices specified thereon and, in connection with any other business that may properly come before the meeting, in the discretion of the persons named in the proxy. As to any matter for which no choice has been specified in a duly executed proxy, the shares represented thereby will be voted FOR the election as directors of the nominees listed herein, FOR approval of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and in the discretion of the persons named in the proxy in connection with any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting. A stockholder giving a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by filing with the Secretary at the Company’s executive offices a written instrument revoking it, by delivering a duly executed proxy bearing a later date or by appearing at the Annual Meeting and voting in person. The executive offices of the Company are located at 13550 Hempstead Highway, Houston, Texas 77040. For a period of ten days prior to the Annual Meeting, a complete list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for inspection by stockholders of record during ordinary business hours for proper purposes at the Company’s executive offices.

RECORD DATE AND VOTING SECURITIES

As of the close of business on March 21, 2006, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting, the Company had outstanding and entitled to vote 19,290,220 shares of Common Stock. Each share entitles the holder to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of stockholders.

The requirement for a quorum at the Annual Meeting is the presence in person or by proxy of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. Proxies indicating stockholder abstentions and shares represented by “broker non-votes” (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees for which instructions have not been received from the beneficial owners or persons entitled to vote and for which the broker or nominee does not have discretionary power to vote on a particular matter) will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the Annual Meeting will be counted by the persons appointed as election inspectors for the Annual Meeting.


SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF

CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company beneficially owned directly or indirectly as of March 20, 2006 by (i) each person who is known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company’s directors, director nominees and executive officers and (iii) all executive officers, director nominees and directors as a group.

 

     Amount of Beneficial
Ownership
 

Name of Beneficial Owner(1)

   Number of
Shares
   Percent
of Stock
 

Larry E. Reimert (2)(3)

   2,338,620    11.9 %

Gary D. Smith (3)(4)

   3,163,595    16.1 %

J. Mike Walker (3)(5)

   3,304,620    16.8 %

Jerry M. Brooks (6)

   13,750    *  

Alexander P. Shukis

   0    *  

Gary L. Stone

   2,000    *  

John V. Lovoi

   0    *  

All directors and executive officers as a group (7 persons)

   8,822,585    43.3 %

*   Less than 1%.

 

(1) Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant to applicable community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock. The address of each such person is 13550 Hempstead Highway, Houston, Texas 77040.

 

(2) Includes (a) 455 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. Reimert, (b) 356,020 shares of Common Stock that may be acquired pursuant to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2006 and (c) 1,982,145 shares of Common Stock held by Reimert Family Partners, Ltd., a limited partnership of which Mr. Reimert is the Managing General Partner, and with respect to which he exercises voting and investment power. Does not include 12,000 shares of Common Stock owned by Mr. Reimert’s spouse or the shares of Common Stock shown above as beneficially owned by Mr. Smith and Mr. Walker, as to which Mr. Reimert disclaims beneficial ownership.

 

(3) Mr. Reimert and Reimert Family Partners, Ltd., Mr. Smith and Four Smiths’ Company, Ltd., and Mr. Walker have entered into a stockholders agreement wherein each party has agreed to vote shares of Common Stock held by such party for election of one nominee to the Board of Directors proposed by each of (i) Larry E. Reimert and Reimert Family Partners, Ltd., (ii) Gary D. Smith and Four Smiths’ Company, Ltd. and (iii) J. Mike Walker. The parties to the stockholders agreement may be deemed to have formed a group pursuant to Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Any such group could be deemed to have beneficial ownership, for purposes of Section 13(d) and 13(g) of the Exchange Act, of all equity securities of the Company beneficially owned by such parties. Such parties would, as of March 20, 2006, be deemed to beneficially own an aggregate of 8,806,835 shares of Common Stock, or approximately 43% of the total number of shares of Common Stock outstanding.

 

(4) Includes (a) 555 shares of Common Stock held directly by Mr. Smith, (b) 356,020 shares of Common Stock that may be acquired pursuant to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2006 (c) and 2,807,020 shares of Common Stock held by Four Smiths’ Company, Ltd., a limited partnership of which Mr. Smith and his wife, Gloria Jean Smith, are the Managing General Partners, and with respect to which they exercise voting and investment power. Mrs. Smith may also be deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares. Does not include the shares of Common Stock shown above as beneficially owned by Mr. Reimert and Mr. Walker, as to which Mr. Smith disclaims beneficial ownership.

 

(5) Includes 356,020 shares of Common Stock that may be acquired pursuant to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2006. Does not include the shares of Common Stock shown above as beneficially owned by Mr. Reimert and Mr. Smith, as to which Mr. Walker disclaims beneficial ownership.

 

(6) Consists entirely of shares of Common Stock that may be acquired pursuant to options that are currently exercisable or will become exercisable within 60 days of March 20, 2006.

 

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PROPOSAL I

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Company’s Board of Directors is divided into three classes, Class I, Class II and Class III, with staggered terms of office, ending in 2007, 2008 and 2006, respectively. The term for each class expires on the date of the third annual stockholders’ meeting for the election of directors following the most recent election of directors for such class. Each director holds office until the next annual meeting of stockholders for the election of directors of his class and until his successor has been duly elected and qualified.

At the Annual Meeting, two Class III directors are to be elected to each serve a three-year term expiring on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2009 (or until his successor is duly elected and qualified). In accordance with the Company’s Bylaws, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by holders of Common Stock entitled to vote in the election of directors at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of the nominee as director. Accordingly, although abstentions and broker non-votes are considered shares present at the meeting for the purpose of determining a quorum, they will have no effect on the election of directors. The Board of Directors has nominated Mr. Larry E. Reimert and Mr. Gary D. Smith to serve as the Class III Directors. Messrs. Reimert and Smith are currently directors of the Company.

The Board of Directors has no reason to believe that the nominees for election as directors will not be candidates or will be unable to serve, but if for any reason either nominee is unavailable as a candidate or unable to serve when the election occurs, the persons designated as proxies in the enclosed proxy card, in the absence of contrary instructions, will in their discretion vote the proxies for the election of a substitute nominee selected by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the election of the nominees listed below. Properly dated and signed proxies will be so voted unless authority to vote in the election of directors is withheld.

Nominees for Class III Directors for Three-Year Terms to Expire in 2009

The following sets forth information concerning the nominees for election as directors at the Annual Meeting, including each nominee’s age as of March 20, 2006, position with the Company, and business experience during the past five years.

Larry E. Reimert, age 58, is Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer with principal responsibility for engineering, product development and finance. He has been the Director—Engineering, Product Development and Finance, as well as a member of the Board of Directors, since the Company’s inception in 1981. Prior to that, he worked for Vetco Offshore, Inc. in various capacities, including Vice President of Technical Operations, Vice President of Engineering and Manager of Engineering. Mr. Reimert holds a BSME degree from the University of Houston and an MBA degree from Pepperdine University. Mr. Reimert’s current term as a director of the Company expires at the 2006 annual meeting.

Gary D. Smith, age 63, is Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer with principal responsibility for sales, service, training and administration. He has been the Director—Sales, Service, Training and Administration, as well as a member of the Board of Directors, since the Company’s inception in 1981. Prior to that, he worked for Vetco Offshore, Inc. in various capacities, including General Manager and Vice President of Sales and Services. Mr. Smith’s current term as a director of the Company expires at the 2006 annual meeting.

Information Concerning Class I and Class II Directors

The following sets forth information concerning the Class I and Class II directors of the Company whose present terms of office will expire at the 2007 and 2008 annual meetings of stockholders, respectively, including each director’s age as of March 20, 2006, position with the Company, if any, and business experience during the past five years.

 

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Class I

Alexander P. Shukis, age 61, has been a Class I director of the Company since February 2003. He is chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. From July 2001 to the present, Mr. Shukis has been the Controller of Corporate Strategies, Inc., a merchant bank. From 1997 to July 2001, Mr. Shukis was self-employed, working as a business consultant. From 1995 to 1997, he was Chief Financial Officer and Director of Great Western Resources, Inc., an exploration and production company. He served as Vice President and Controller of Great Western Resources, Inc. from 1986 to 1995. Mr. Shukis holds a BBA in accounting from the University of Houston. Mr. Shukis’ current term as a director of the Company expires at the 2007 annual meeting.

Gary L. Stone, age 69, has been a Class I director of the Company since June 2001, and is a member of the Audit Committee and the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. From January 1997 until his retirement in May 2000, he served as a Senior Vice President/First Vice President with Bank One, Texas, N.A. Mr. Stone holds a bachelor of science degree in geological engineering from the University of Utah and an MBA degree from the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Stone’s current term as a director of the Company expires at the 2007 annual meeting.

Class III

J. Mike Walker, age 62, is Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer with principal responsibility for manufacturing, purchasing and facilities. He has been the Director—Manufacturing, Purchasing and Facilities, as well as a member of the Board of Directors, since the Company’s inception in 1981. Prior to that, he served as the Director of Engineering, Manager of Engineering and Manager of Research and Development with Vetco Offshore, Inc. Mr. Walker holds a BSME degree from Texas A&M University, an MSME degree from the University of Texas at Austin and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University. Mr. Walker’s current term as a director of the Company expires at the 2008 annual meeting.

John V. Lovoi, age 45, has been a Class III director of the Company since May 2005. He is chairman of the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee and a member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors. He is the Managing Partner of JVL Advisors LLC, a private energy investment company established in 2002. From January 2000 to August 2002, Mr. Lovoi was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley Incorporated, and during this period served as head of the firm’s Global Oil and Gas Research practice and then as head of the firm’s Global Oil and Gas Investment Banking practice. From 1995 to 2000, he was a leading oilfield services and equipment research analyst for Morgan Stanley. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley, he spent two years as a senior financial executive at Baker Hughes and four years as an energy investment banker with Credit Suisse First Boston. Mr. Lovoi also serves as a director of Cal Dive International, Inc., an energy services company, and KFX Inc., a clean energy technology company engaged in providing technology and service solutions to the power generation industry. Mr. Lovoi holds a bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from Texas A&M University and an MBA degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Lovoi’s current term as a director of the Company expires at the 2008 annual meeting.

Corporate Governance Matters

Controlled Company Status

Prior to December 20, 2005, the Company was classified as a controlled company pursuant to Rule 303A.00 of the New York Stock Exchange Listed Company Manual (the “NYSE Manual”). The controlled company status was based on the collective ownership of more than 50% of the Common Stock by Larry E. Reimert, Gary D. Smith and J. Mike Walker, and entities they control (collectively, the “Principal Stockholders”). As a controlled company, the Company was exempt from certain New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) requirements.

In December 2005, the Company closed a public offering of Common Stock (the “Offering”). In the offering, the Company issued and sold 1.5 million shares of Common Stock and the Principal Stockholders sold

 

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an aggregate of 1.6 million shares of Common Stock. As a result of the Offering, the Principal Stockholders no longer beneficially own more than 50% of the Common Stock, and the Company no longer qualifies as a controlled company. Accordingly, the Company is now subject to Rules 303A.01, .04 and .05 of the NYSE Manual, which, among other things, require the Company to:

 

    have a majority of independent directors on the Board of Directors by December 20, 2006;

 

    have a nominating/corporate governance committee, or committee performing similar function, composed entirely of independent directors; and

 

    adopt written charters meeting NYSE requirements for the nominating/corporate governance committee and compensation committee.

Prior to the Offering, the Board of Directors had appointed a Compensation Committee that was composed entirely of independent directors. In connection with the Offering, the Board changed the name of its Compensation Committee to the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee and empowered it to perform the responsibilities of a nominating/corporate governance committee under Rule 303A.04 of the NYSE Manual in addition to its responsibilities related to compensation matters under Rule 303A.05. The Board also approved a Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee charter that meets NYSE requirements. In order to satisfy the majority independent board requirement, the Board of Directors plans to increase its size from six to seven members and to appoint a new independent director by December 20, 2006.

Determinations of Director Independence

Under rules adopted by the NYSE, no board member qualifies as independent unless the Board of Directors affirmatively determines that the director has no material relationship with the Company. In evaluating each director’s independence, the Board considers all relevant facts and circumstances in making a determination of independence. In particular, when assessing the materiality of a director’s relationship with the Company, the Board considers the issue not merely from the standpoint of the director, but also from the standpoint of persons or organizations with which the director has an affiliation. In its determination of independence, the Board of Directors reviewed and considered all relationships and transactions between each director, his family members or any business, charity or other entity in which the director has an interest on the one hand, and the Company, its affiliates, or the Company’s senior management has an interest on the other. As a result of this review, the Board of Directors affirmatively determined that Messrs. Lovoi, Shukis and Stone are independent from the Company and its management. In addition, the Board of Directors affirmatively determined that Messrs. Lovoi, Shukis and Stone are independent under the additional standards for audit committee membership under rules of the SEC. The remaining directors, Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker, are members of the Company’s senior management.

As contemplated by the rules of the NYSE, the Dril-Quip, Inc. Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “Corporate Governance Guidelines”) set forth categorical standards to assist the Board of Directors in making independence determinations. Under the rules of the NYSE, immaterial relationships that fall within the guidelines are not required to be disclosed separately in this proxy statement. As set forth in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, a relationship falls within the categorical standard and is not required to be disclosed separately in the proxy statement if it:

 

    is not a type of relationship that would preclude a determination of independence under Section 303A.02(b) of the NYSE Manual;

 

    consists of charitable contributions by the Company to an organization where a director is an executive officer and does not exceed the greater of $1 million or 2% of the organization’s gross revenue in any of the last 3 years; or

 

    is not a type of relationship that would require disclosure in the proxy statement under Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the SEC.

 

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The relationships of Messrs. Lovoi, Shukis and Stone were considered to fall within the categorical standards.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Pursuant to Rule 303A.10 of the NYSE Manual, the Company has adopted the Dril-Quip, Inc. Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) for directors, officers and employees of the Company. The Code of Ethics also meets the requirements of a code of ethics under Item 406 of Regulation S-K. Changes in and waivers to the Code of Ethics for the Company’s directors, executive officers and certain senior financial officers will be posted on the Company’s Internet website within five business days and maintained for at least twelve months.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors has appointed two committees: the Audit Committee and the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee.

Audit Committee

The current members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Shukis, who serves as Chairman, Mr. Lovoi and Mr. Stone. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Shukis is an “audit committee financial expert” as such term is defined in Item 401(h) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC.

The Audit Committee charter contains a detailed description of the Audit Committee’s duties and responsibilities. Under the charter, the Audit Committee has been appointed by the Board of Directors to assist the Board in overseeing (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditor’s independence, qualifications and performance, and (iv) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function. The Audit Committee also has direct responsibility for the appointment, compensation and retention of the Company’s independent auditors.

Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee

The current members of the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee are Mr. Lovoi, who serves as Chairman, Mr. Shukis and Mr. Stone.

The Board of Directors has approved the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee Charter, which contains a detailed description of the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee’s responsibilities. Under the charter, the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee identifies and recommends individuals qualified to become Board members, consistent with criteria approved by the Board, and assists the Board in determining the composition of the Board and its committees, in monitoring a process to assess Board and committee effectiveness and in developing and implementing the Company’s corporate governance guidelines, practices and procedures. In fulfilling its compensation role, the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee assists the Board in establishing the compensation of the directors and executive officers of the Company in a manner consistent with the stated compensation strategy of the Company, internal equity considerations, competitive practice and the requirements of applicable law and regulations and rules of applicable regulatory bodies. The Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee also acts on the granting of awards to executive officers and other eligible employees under the Company’s incentive plan (except for formula grants pursuant to the employment agreements of the Co-Chief Executive Officers) and with respect to certain matters arising under each of the Co-Chief Executive Officers’ employment agreements.

Information Regarding Meetings

During 2005, the Board of Directors held four meetings. The Audit Committee met five times and the Compensation Committee met two times. During 2005, all directors attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and the Committees thereof during the periods that they served as members.

 

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The Company expects, but does not require, its Board members to attend the Annual Meeting. Last year all of the Board members attended the Annual Meeting.

Selection of Nominees for the Board of Directors

Identifying Candidates

The Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee solicits ideas for potential Board candidates from a number of sources, including members of the Board of Directors, executive officers of the Company, individuals personally known to the members of the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee and research. In addition, the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee will consider candidates submitted by stockholders. Any such submissions should include the candidate’s name and qualifications for Board membership and should be directed to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at the address indicated on the first page of this Proxy Statement. Although the Board does not require the stockholder to submit any particular information regarding the qualifications of the stockholder’s candidate, the level of consideration that the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee will give to the stockholder’s candidate will be commensurate with the quality and quantity of information about the candidate that the nominating stockholder makes available to the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee. The Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee did not receive any candidate submissions during 2005. The Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee will consider all candidates identified through the processes described above and will evaluate each of them on the same basis.

In addition, the Bylaws of the Company permit stockholders to nominate directors for election at an annual stockholders meeting whether or not such nominee is submitted to and evaluated by the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee. To nominate a director using this process, the stockholder must follow certain procedures required by the Bylaws which are described under “Additional Information—Advance Notice Required for Stockholder Nominations and Proposals” below.

Evaluating Candidates

The members of the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee are responsible for assessing the skills and characteristics that candidates for election to the Board should possess, as well as the composition of the Board as a whole. This assessment will include the qualifications under applicable independence standards and other standards applicable to the Board and its committees, as well as consideration of skills and experience in the context of the needs of the Board. Each candidate must meet certain minimum qualifications, including:

 

    independence of thought and judgment;

 

    the ability to dedicate sufficient time, energy and attention to the performance of her or his duties, taking into consideration the nominee’s service on other public company boards; and

 

    skills and expertise complementary to the existing Board members’ skills; in this regard, the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee will consider the Board’s need for operational, sales, management, financial, or other relevant expertise.

The Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee may also consider the ability of the prospective candidate to work with the then-existing interpersonal dynamics of the Board and her or his ability to contribute to the collaborative culture among Board members.

Based on this initial evaluation, the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee will determine whether to interview the candidate, and if warranted, will recommend that one or more of its members and senior management, as appropriate, interview the candidate in person or by telephone. After completing this evaluation and interview process, the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee recommends to the Board a slate of director nominees for election at the next annual meeting of stockholders or for appointment to fill vacancies on the Board.

 

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Executive Sessions of the Board of Directors and the Presiding Director

At each regularly scheduled Board meeting, the Company’s non-management directors hold executive sessions at which the Company’s management is not in attendance. The director who presides at these sessions is the chairman of the Company’s Audit Committee, currently Mr. Shukis.

Stockholder Communications

Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate directly with the Company’s independent directors by sending a written communication in an envelope addressed to “Board of Directors (Independent Members)” in care of the Company’s Corporate Secretary at the address indicated on the first page of this Proxy Statement.

Stockholders and other interested parties may communicate directly with the Company’s Board of Directors by sending a written communication in an envelope addressed to “Board of Directors” in care of the Company’s Corporate Secretary at the address indicated on the first page of this Proxy Statement.

Website Availability of Governance Documents

You can access the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Ethics, Audit Committee Charter and Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee Charter on the Investors section of the Company’s website at www.dril-quip.com. Additionally, any stockholder who so requests may obtain a printed copy of the governance documents from the Company’s Corporate Secretary at the address indicated on the first page of this Proxy Statement.

Director Compensation

Each director who is not an employee of the Company receives an annual fee of $50,000, plus a fee of $1,000 for attendance at each Board of Directors meeting and $1,000 for each committee meeting. All directors are reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses and other expenses incurred in attending meetings of the Board or committees thereof and for other expenses incurred in their capacity as directors.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file with the SEC and the NYSE initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock. Officers, directors and greater than 10% stockholders are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all such forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports were required, the Company believes that during the year ended December 31, 2005 all its directors and executive officers during 2005 complied on a timely basis with all applicable filing requirements under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

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Executive Compensation

Summary Compensation Table.    The following table sets forth information regarding the compensation of each of the Company’s three Co-Chief Executive Officers and the other executive officer of the Company (together with the Co-Chief Executive Officers, the “named officers”) for services rendered in all capacities during, 2003, 2004 and 2005.

Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal Position

   Year   

Annual

Compensation(1)

   Long-Term
Compensation
Awards
   All Other
Compensation(2)
         Securities
Underlying
Options/SARs
(shares)
  
      Salary    Bonus      

Larry E. Reimert

Co-Chairman of the Board and

Co-Chief Executive Officer

   2005
2004
2003
   $
 
 
473,039
461,731
449,662
   $
 
 
588,000
269,000
128,000
   0
0
92,307
   $
 
 
4,200
4,100
4,000

Gary D. Smith

Co-Chairman of the Board and

Co-Chief Executive Officer

   2005
2004
2003
   $
 
 
473,039
461,731
449,662
   $
 
 
588,000
269,000
128,000
   0
0
92,307
   $
 
 
4,200
4,100
4,000

J. Mike Walker

Co-Chairman of the Board and

Co-Chief Executive Officer

   2005
2004
2003
   $
 
 
473,039
461,731
449,662
   $
 
 
588,000
269,000
128,000
   0
0
92,307
   $
 
 
4,200
4,100
4,000

Jerry M. Brooks

Chief Financial Officer

   2005
2004
2003
   $
 
 
181,039
175,308
170,039
   $
 
 
70,000
50,000
15,000
   0
0
5,000
   $
 
 
3,621
3,506
3,401

(1) Excludes perquisites and other benefits because the aggregate amounts thereof do not exceed the lesser of $30,000 or 10% of the total of annual salary and bonus reported for any named officer.

 

(2) Amounts shown under All Other Compensation consist of amounts contributed or accrued under the Company’s 401(k) Plan.

Option Grants.    In 2005, the Company did not grant options to purchase shares of Common Stock to any executive officer or other employee of the Company. On November 3, 2005, each of Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker temporarily deferred their rights to receive stock option awards in 2005 under their respective employment agreements to allow the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee time to implement a new long-term incentive award to replace the current long-term incentive stock option award provided under each of their employment agreements. Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker reserved their rights to receive the long-term incentive stock option award for 2005 and future years if the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee does not implement a replacement long-term incentive award.

Option Exercises and 2005 Year-End Option Values.    The following table sets forth certain information with respect to option exercises in 2005 and unexercised options to purchase Common Stock held by the named officers at December 31, 2005.

 

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Aggregated Option Exercises in 2005 and Year-End 2005 Option Values

 

     Shares
Acquired
on Exercise
   Value
Realized
   Number of Securities
Underlying Unexercised
Options Held at
December 31, 2005
   Value of Unexercised
In-the-Money Options at
December 31, 2005(1)
         Exercisable    Unexercisable    Exercisable    Unexercisable

Larry E. Reimert

   —        —      356,020    62,427    $ 9,227,966    $ 1,921,169

Gary D. Smith

   —        —      356,020    62,427      9,227,966      1,921,169

J. Mike Walker

   —        —      356,020    62,427      9,227,966      1,921,169

Jerry M. Brooks

   27,500    $ 532,365    13,750    3,750      304,238      113,863

(1) The excess, if any, of the closing price on the NYSE of Common Stock at December 30, 2005 ($47.20) over the option exercise price.

Employment Agreements

The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker. The following summary of these agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to them. The Company has filed the form of these agreements with the SEC. A copy of the form of these agreements may be obtained from the Company’s Corporate Secretary at the address indicated on the first page of this Proxy Statement.

Each of these agreements provides for an annual base salary, as well as an annual performance bonus for each 12-month period ending on September 30 equal to up to 120% of the executive’s annual base salary, with the precise amount of the bonus determined based on specific Company performance goals. The performance goals, which are equally weighted, are based on (i) the Company’s annual earnings before interest and taxes (“EBIT”) measured against the Company’s annual budget or plan, and (ii) the Company’s annual return on capital (defined as EBIT divided by total assets less current liabilities) compared to a peer group of companies. In addition, each agreement provides that the employee will receive an annual grant of a number of options under the Company’s incentive plan equal to the employee’s base salary multiplied by three and divided by the market price of the Common Stock on the grant date. Each agreement provides that the employee’s compensation, including his annual base salary, annual performance bonus and annual grant of options, shall be reviewed at least annually by the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee and shall be subject to increase at any time and from time to time on a basis determined by the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee, in the exercise of its sole discretion. Each agreement also entitles the employee to participate in all of the Company’s incentive, savings, retirement and welfare benefit plans in which other executive officers of the Company participate. Each agreement requires the Company to maintain a flexible perquisites spending account in the amount of $25,000 each year for use in paying for membership dues, costs associated with purchasing or leasing an automobile, financial counseling, tax return preparation and mobile phones. The Company is required to pay the unused and remaining balances of such accounts annually to Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker.

On October 27, 2005, each of the employment agreements had a remaining term of four years. The term of each of the employment agreements is automatically extended for one year on October 27 of every year, such that the remaining term of each agreement will never be less than three years. Each agreement is subject to the right of the Company and the employee to terminate the employee’s employment at any time. Each agreement provides that, upon termination of employment because of death or disability, or if employment is terminated by the Company for any reason (except under certain limited circumstances defined as “for cause” in the agreement), or if employment is terminated by the employee subsequent to a change of control (as defined) or with good reason (as defined), the employee will generally be entitled to (i) a lump sum cash payment equal to the employee’s base salary through the date of termination, together with any deferred compensation previously awarded and any accrued vacation time, (ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to the annual base salary that would have been paid to the employee beginning on the date of termination and ending on the latest possible date of

 

10


termination of the employment in accordance with the agreement, (iii) a lump sum cash payment equal to the annual bonus calculated in accordance with the agreement for the remaining employment period (assuming for such purpose that the annual bonus payable for each applicable period during the remaining employment period would equal the highest annual bonus paid during the last three years prior to the date of termination), (iv) immediate vesting of any stock options or restricted stock previously granted to such employee and outstanding as of the time immediately prior to the date of his termination, or a cash payment in lieu thereof, and (v) continued participation in medical, dental and life insurance coverage until the employee receives equivalent coverage and benefits under other plans of a subsequent employer or the later of the death of the employee, the death of the employee’s spouse and the youngest child of the employee reaching age 21. The Company will also pay the employee any such amount as may be necessary to hold the employee harmless from the consequences of any resulting excise or other similar purpose tax relating to “parachute payments” under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Each agreement also provides that, during the term of the agreement and after termination thereof, the employee shall not divulge any of the Company’s confidential information, knowledge or data. In addition, each agreement requires the employee to disclose and assign to the Company any and all conceptions and ideas for inventions, improvements and valuable discoveries made by the employee which pertain primarily to the material business activities of the Company. Each agreement also provides that, in the event that the agreement is terminated for cause or the employee voluntarily resigns (other than following a change of control or for good reason), for one year thereafter the employee will not within any country with respect to which he has devoted substantial attention to the material business interests of the Company, (i) accept employment or render services to a competitor of the Company or (ii) enter into or take part in business that would be competitive with the Company.

On October 28, 2004, the Company entered into letter agreements with each of Messrs. Reimert Smith and Walker pursuant to which Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker waived their respective rights to receive stock options for the year 2004 under the employment agreements. In addition, on November 3, 2005, Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker temporarily deferred their rights to receive stock option awards in 2005 under their respective employment agreements to allow the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee time to implement a new long-term incentive award to replace the current long-term incentive stock option award provided under each of their employment agreements. Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker reserved their rights to receive the long-term incentive stock option award for 2005 and future years if the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee does not implement a replacement long-term incentive award.

Certain Transactions

Registration Rights Agreement

The Company has entered into a registration rights agreement among the Company, Messrs. Reimert, Smith, Walker, Reimert Family Partners, Ltd. and Four Smiths’ Company, Ltd. (the “Registration Rights Agreement”). The Registration Rights Agreement provides for registration rights pursuant to which, upon the request of any of Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker (the “Requesting Holders”), the Company will file a registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), to register the Common Stock subject to the agreement (“Registrable Securities”) held by such Requesting Holders and any other stockholders who are parties to the Registration Rights Agreement and who desire to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement, subject to a maximum of two requests by each of Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker or their successors and assigns. In addition, subject to certain conditions and limitations, the Registration Rights Agreement provides that Messrs. Reimert, Smith, and Walker may participate in any registration by the Company (including any registration resulting from any exercise of a demand right under the Registration Rights Agreement) of any of its equity securities in an underwritten offering. The registration rights covered by the Registration Rights Agreement generally are transferable to transferees (whether by assignment or by death of the holder) of the Registrable Securities covered thereby. The Registration Rights Agreement generally

 

11


terminates when all Registrable Securities (i) have been distributed to the public pursuant to a registration statement covering such securities that has been declared effective under the Securities Act, or (ii) may be distributed to the public in accordance with the provisions of Rule 144(k) (or any similar provision then in force) under the Securities Act.

Stockholders Agreement

Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker, Reimert Family Partners, Ltd. and Four Smiths’ Company, Ltd. are parties to a stockholders agreement (the “Stockholders Agreement”) pursuant to which each party has agreed to vote the shares of Common Stock held by such party to elect to the Company’s Board of Directors one designee of Mr. Reimert and Reimert Family Partners, Ltd. (the “Reimert Stockholders”), one designee of Mr. Smith and Four Smiths’ Company, Ltd. (the “Smith Stockholders”) and one designee of Mr. Walker. The rights under the Stockholders Agreement are transferable to any heir or legal representative of Messrs. Reimert, Smith or Walker who acquires Common Stock upon the death of such stockholder and who agrees to be bound by the provisions of such Agreement. In the event the Reimert Stockholders, collectively, the Smith Stockholders, collectively, or Mr. Walker (or their permitted transferees as described in the preceding sentence), own less than 10% of the total number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, the rights and obligations of such person under the Stockholders Agreement are terminated.

Under the terms of the Stockholders Agreement, Messrs. Reimert and Smith have designated themselves to the Company’s Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting.

Report of Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation

In fulfilling its compensation role, the Committee approves remuneration arrangements and compensation plans involving the Company’s directors and executive officers, including any revisions to the employment agreements of the Co-Chief Executive Officers. The Committee acts on the granting of awards to executive officers and other eligible employees under the Company’s incentive plan (except for formula grants pursuant to the employment agreements of the Co-Chief Executive Officers), and reviews annually and approves certain matters relating to each of the Co-Chief Executive Officer’s employment agreements, including the automatic extension of such agreements.

The Company’s policy is to provide executive compensation packages that attract and retain talented executive officers and deliver rewards for superior corporate performance. The Committee seeks to provide a balanced mix of cash and equity-based compensation that the Committee believes appropriate to align the short-and long-term interests of the Company’s executive officers with that of its shareholders. Achievement of short-term interests of the Company is rewarded through base salary and annual incentive compensation in the form of a cash bonus, while long-term interests are encouraged through long-term equity based compensation.

There are three basic components to the compensation of the Company’s executives: base pay; annual incentive compensation in the form of a cash bonus; and long-term equity-based compensation. Factors taken into account in determining compensation are the executive’s responsibilities, experience, leadership, potential future contributions and demonstrated individual performance.

In 2005, Mr. Brooks received base salary of $181,039, which reflects an increase of $5,731 from 2004. For 2005, Mr. Brooks received a bonus of $70,000, based on the Company’s and his performance in 2005. Mr. Brooks’ base salary and bonus are determined by the Co-Chief Executive Officers and approved by the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee.

Each of the Company’s Co-Chief Executive Officers is compensated pursuant to an employment agreement which was entered into prior to the closing of the Company’s initial public offering and therefore prior to the formation of the Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee. Such employment agreements were

 

12


approved by the Board of Directors as a whole, at a time when the Company’s Board consisted of the Co-Chief Executive Officers and an investor no longer affiliated with the Company. See “—Employment Agreements” for a description of such agreements. Each of the agreements includes compensation in the form of base salary, annual bonus and annual option grants. The annual bonus and option grants payable pursuant to such agreements are determined by formulas that are tied to the Company’s performance and stockholder return.

In accordance with the employment agreements, the Committee reviews annually the amount of the base salary, annual bonus and annual option grants for each of the Co-Chief Executive Officers, and may increase (but not decrease) such amounts on a basis determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. In 2005, the Co-Chief Executive Officers received base salary of $473,039, which reflects an increase of $11,308 from 2004. This increase in base salary was the result of the Committee’s evaluation of the performance of the Co-Chief Executive Officers in relation to the achievement of the Company’s financial and non-financial goals.

Under the employment agreements, the amount of the executive’s annual bonus is determined by reference to (i) the Company’s performance (measured in terms of EBIT) compared to the Company’s annual budget and (ii) the Company’s annual return on capital compared to that of an industry peer group. The employment agreements give the Committee discretion to increase the annual bonus amount above the amount determined based on these measures. In accordance with the employment agreements, at the beginning of 2005, the Committee approved the Company’s 2005 budget and the industry peer group for the purposes of calculating the bonuses for the 2005 bonus year for the Co-Chief Executive Officers. In calculating the bonuses for the 2005 bonus year, in accordance with the employment agreements, the Committee reviewed the Company’s EBIT and return on capital for the year ended December 31, 2005, as calculated by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, and calculated the return on capital for the Company’s peer group for the same period. The two performance factors were equally weighted as required by the employment agreements. In 2005, the Committee awarded a bonus of $588,000 to each Co-Chief Executive Officer. The formula resulted in an annual bonus award of 103% of base salary ($507,000). Based on their performance in 2005, the Committee exercised its discretion and increased the bonus award to 120% of base salary.

In the past, long-term equity-based compensation was generally provided in the form of stock options, which are tied directly to stockholder return. Stock options align the interests of the Company’s executives with those of its stockholders by encouraging executives to enhance the value of the Company, and hence, the price of the Common Stock and each stockholder’s return. Long-term equity-based compensation is provided through the Company’s incentive plans. The objectives of the incentive plans are to (i) attract and retain key employees, (ii) encourage a sense of proprietorship of these persons in the Company and (iii) stimulate the active interest of these persons in the development and financial success of the Company. Awards to employees under the Company’s incentive plan may be made in the form of (i) stock options, (ii) rights to receive a payment, in cash or Common Stock, equal to the excess of the fair market value or other specified value of a number of shares of Common Stock on the date the right is exercised over a specified strike price, (iii) grants of restricted or unrestricted Common Stock or units denominated in Common Stock, (iv) grants denominated in cash and (v) grants denominated in cash, Common Stock or units denominated in Common Stock or any other property which are made subject to the attainment of one or more performance goals (“Performance Awards”). Performance Awards may include more than one performance goal, and a performance goal may be based on one or more business criteria applicable to the grantee, the Company as a whole or one or more of the Company’s business units and may include one or more of the following: increased revenues, net income, stock price, market share, earnings per share, return on equity or assets, or decrease in costs.

In 2004 and 2005, the Company granted no options to purchase shares of Common Stock or any other long-term equity based compensation to executive officers or any other employees of the Company. In October 2004, each Co-Chief Executive Officer waived his right under his employment agreement to receive options to purchase shares of Common Stock of the Company in 2004, in part due to the uncertainty surrounding the expensing of stock options. In addition, on November 3, 2005 each Co-Chief Executive Officer temporarily deferred his right under his employment agreement to receive option awards in 2005 to allow the Committee time to implement a new long-term incentive award to replace the current long-term incentive stock option award provided under the employment agreement. In their November 2005 letter, each of the Co-Chief Executive

 

13


Officers reserved his right to receive his stock option award for 2005 and future years if the Committee does not implement a replacement long-term incentive award.

The employment agreements continue to provide that each Co-Chief Executive Officer shall receive an annual grant of options that is equal to the employee’s base salary multiplied by three and divided by the market price of the Common Stock on the grant date. Each of the Co-Chief Executive Officers is currently a significant stockholder of the Company, which provides effective long-term performance incentive tied directly to stockholder return.

The Committee is currently reviewing how best to structure its long-term equity-based compensation. No decisions have been made to date by the Committee regarding the amendment, if any, of the employment agreements to compensate Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker for waiving their rights to receive options in 2004. In addition, the Committee has also not made any decisions regarding a replacement long-term incentive award under each of the employment agreements of Messrs. Reimert, Smith and Walker. The Company may decide to grant new options or other long-term equity-based incentives to provide continuing incentive for future performance. In making the decision to grant additional options, the Committee would expect to consider factors such as the size of previous grants and the number of options held. In addition, the Committee may consider factors including the likelihood that the grant of those options would encourage the executive to remain with the Company and the value of the executive’s service to the Company. These matters are being reviewed by the Committee in consultation with the Co-Chief Executive Officers and will be resolved at a future date.

The Nominating, Governance and Compensation Committee

John V. Lovoi

Gary L. Stone

Alexander P. Shukis

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), generally limits (to $1 million annually per covered executive) the deductibility for federal income tax purposes of non-performance based compensation paid to a company’s chief executive officer and each of its other four most highly compensated executive officers.

 

14


Equity Compensation Plan Information

The table below sets forth the following information about the Common Stock that may be issued under the Company’s existing equity compensation plan as of December 31, 2005. The Company’s existing equity compensation plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company.

 

     (a)    (b)    (c)

Plan Category

   Number of securities to
be issued upon exercise
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
excluding securities
reflected in column (a)

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders (1)

   1,493,443    $ 20.49    1,378,147

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

   —        —      —  
                

Total

   1,493,443    $ 20.49    1,378,147
                

(1) Consists of the 1997 Incentive Plan of Dril-Quip, Inc. and the 2004 Incentive Plan of Dril-Quip, Inc. No awards have been issued under the 2004 Incentive Plan and no further awards may be issued under the 1997 Incentive Plan.

Report of the Audit Committee

The Audit Committee has been appointed by the Board of Directors to assist the Board in overseeing (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the independent auditor’s independence, qualifications and performance, and (iv) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board and reviewed annually by the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 with management and has discussed with BDO Seidman, LLP, the independent auditors and accountants for the Company, the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees, as amended, with respect to those audited financial statements.

The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from BDO Seidman, LLP required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees, as amended, and has reviewed, evaluated and discussed with BDO Seidman, LLP its independence in connection with its audit of the Company’s most recent financial statements.

Based on its review of the audited financial statements and the various discussions noted 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-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Audit Committee

John V. Lovoi

Alexander P. Shukis

Gary L. Stone

 

15


Performance Graph

The following performance graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on the Common Stock to the cumulative total return on the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index and the PHLX Oil Service Sector Index over the period from December 31, 2000 to December 31, 2005. The graph assumes that $100 was invested on December 31, 2000 in the Common Stock and in each of the other indices and the reinvestment of all dividends, if any.

LOGO

 

16


PROPOSAL II

APPROVAL OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee has approved the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm to conduct an audit of the Company’s financial statements for the year 2006. This firm has acted as independent registered public accounting firm for the Company since September 24, 2004, and was approved as independent registered public accounting firm for 2005 at the Company’s 2005 annual meeting of stockholders. The Board of Directors recommends the approval of BDO Seidman, LLP as independent registered public accounting firm to conduct an audit of the Company’s financial statements for the year 2005.

Ernst & Young LLP served as independent registered public accounting firm for the Company during 2004 until its resignation on August 6, 2004. Ernst & Young LLP did not consult with the Audit Committee prior to its resignation, and, therefore, the Audit Committee did not recommend or approve the resignation of Ernst & Young LLP. In connection with its audit as of and for the year ended December 31, 2003, the report of independent certified public accountants issued by Ernst & Young LLP, dated March 5, 2004, did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope, or accounting principles. In connection with the Company’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 and subsequent interim period through June 30, 2004, there were no disagreements with Ernst & Young LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of Ernst & Young LLP, would have caused it to make a reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its report on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year.

During the Company’s two most recent fiscal years and the subsequent interim period prior to engaging BDO Seidman, LLP, neither the Company nor anyone acting on its behalf consulted with BDO Seidman, LLP with respect to:

 

    the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed;

 

    the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements; or

 

    any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K and the related instructions to that Item) or a reportable event (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K).

Fees

Aggregate fees for professional services rendered for the Company by its independent registered public accounting firm as of or for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 were as follows:

 

          2005    2004(1)    2004(2)

1.

  

Audit

   $ 1,103,000    $ 1,104,000    $ 127,396

2.

  

Audit Related

     0      0      0

3.

  

Tax

     0      0      132,275

4.

  

All Other

     0      0      108,770
                       
  

Total:

   $ 1,103,000    $ 1,104,000    $ 373,441
                       

(1) Includes aggregate fees rendered for the Company by BDO Seidman, LLP.

 

(2) Includes aggregate fees rendered for the Company by Ernst & Young LLP.

 

17


BDO Seidman, LLP Fees

BDO Seidman Audit fees for 2005 were for professional services rendered for the audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the review of those financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2005, including comfort letters, comment letters and consents, as well as fees associated with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. For 2005, fees associated with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance totaled $567,000. Audit fees for 2004 were for professional services rendered for the audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, the review of those financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 and fees associated with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. For 2004, fees associated with Sarbanes-Oxley compliance totaled $798,000.

Ernst & Young, LLP Fees

Ernst & Young Audit fees for 2004 were for professional services rendered for the audits of the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the review of those financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31 and June 30, 2004.

Tax fees billed during 2004 were for services related to tax compliance, tax advice and expatriate tax services.

All Other fees billed during 2004 were for consulting services, including those related to international operations and an IRS audit.

The Audit Committee reviewed the non-audit services provided to the Company and determined that they did not impair the independence of BDO Seidman, LLP and Ernst & Young, LLP.

Representatives of BDO Seidman, LLP are expected to attend the Annual Meeting and will be available to respond to questions which may be asked by stockholders. Such representatives will also have an opportunity to make a statement at the meeting if they desire to do so.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy for Audit and Non-Audit Services

The Audit Committee has established a policy that requires pre-approval of the audit and non-audit services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm. Unless a service proposed to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm has been pre-approved by the Audit Committee under its pre-approval policies and procedures, it will require specific pre-approval of the engagement terms by the Audit Committee. Under the policy, pre-approved service categories are generally provided for up to 12 months and must be detailed as to the particular services provided and sufficiently specific and objective so that no judgments by management are required to determine whether a specific service falls within the scope of what has been pre-approved. In connection with any pre-approval of services, the independent registered public accounting firm is required to provide detailed back-up documentation concerning the specific services to be provided.

The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members, including to a subcommittee of the Audit Committee. The member or members to whom such authority is delegated shall report any pre-approval actions taken by them to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee does not delegate to management any of its responsibilities to pre-approve services performed by the independent registered public accounting firm.

None of the services related to the Audit-Related Fees, Tax Fees or Other Fees described above were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to de minimis exception to the pre-approval provisions set forth in applicable rules of the SEC.

 

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The Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR the approval of the appointment of BDO Seidman, LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. In accordance with the Company’s Bylaws, approval of this proposal will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock voted on the proposal. Accordingly, abstentions and broker non-votes applicable to shares present at the meeting will not be included in the tabulation of votes cast on this matter.

OTHER BUSINESS

Management does not intend to bring any business before the meeting other than the matters referred to in the accompanying notice. If, however, any other matters properly come before the meeting, it is intended that the persons named in the accompanying proxy will vote pursuant to discretionary authority granted in the proxy in accordance with their best judgment on such matters. The discretionary authority includes matters that the Board of Directors does not know are to be presented at the meeting by others.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Stockholder Proposals for 2007 Meeting

In order to be included in the Company’s proxy material for its annual meeting of stockholders in 2007, eligible proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the annual meeting must be received by the Company on or before November 28, 2006 (directed to the Secretary of the Company at the address indicated on the first page of this Proxy Statement).

Advance Notice Required for Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

The Bylaws of the Company require timely advance written notice of stockholder nominations of director candidates and of any other proposals to be presented at an annual meeting of stockholders. Notice will be considered timely for the Annual Meeting to be held in 2007 if it is received by February 9, 2007. In the case of director nominations by stockholders, the Bylaws require that 90 days’ advance written notice be delivered to the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s executive offices and set forth for each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (a) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (b) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (c) the number of shares of each class of capital stock of the Company beneficially owned by such person and (d) the written consent of such person to having such person’s name placed in nomination at the meeting and to serve as of a director if elected. The stockholder giving the notice must also include the name and address, as they appear on the Company’s books, of such stockholder and the number of shares of each class of voting stock of the Company that are then beneficially owned by such stockholder.

In the case of other proposals by stockholders at an annual meeting, the Bylaws require that 90 days advance written notice be delivered to the Company’s Secretary at the Company’s executive offices and set forth (a) a description of each proposal desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the Company’s books, the stockholder proposing such business and any other stockholders known by such stockholder to be supporting such proposal, (c) the class and number of shares of the Company’s stock that are beneficially owned by the stockholder on the date of such notice, (d) any financial interest of the stockholder in such proposal and (e) a representation that the stockholder intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring the proposed business before the annual meeting. A copy of the Bylaws of the Company setting forth the requirements for the nomination of director candidates by stockholders and the requirements for proposals by stockholders may be obtained from the Company’s Corporate Secretary at the address indicated on the first page of this Proxy Statement.

 

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In order for director nominations and stockholder proposals to have been properly submitted for presentation at this annual meeting, notice must have been received by the Company’s Secretary on or before February 11, 2006. The Company received no such notice and no stockholder director nominations or proposals will be presented at the annual meeting.

Annual Report

The Annual Report to Stockholders, which includes financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2005, has been mailed to all stockholders. The Annual Report is not a part of the proxy solicitation material.

By Order of the Board of Directors

LOGO

Gary D. Smith

Co-Chairman of the Board,

Co-Chief Executive Officer and Secretary

March 28, 2006

 

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DRIL-QUIP, INC.

PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD

May 10, 2006

The undersigned hereby appoints J. Mike Walker and Jerry M. Brooks, jointly and severally, as proxy holders, with full power of substitution and with discretionary authority, to vote all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Dril-Quip, Inc. (the “Company”) to be held on Wednesday, May 10, 2006, at the Omni Houston Hotel Westside, 13210 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas, at 2:00 p.m., or at any adjournment thereof, hereby revoking any proxy heretofore given.

THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN AND IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS ON ANY OTHER MATTERS THAT COME BEFORE THE MEETING. IN THE ABSENCE OF SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS TO THE CONTRARY, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTORS NAMED BELOW AND FOR APPROVAL OF BDO SEIDMAN LLP AS THE COMPANY’S ACCOUNTANTS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2006.

See Reverse Side

 

Address Change/Comments (Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side)
 
 
 
 
 

 

  

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DRIL-QUIP, INC.    Please Mark Here for Address Change or Comments    ¨
                  SEE REVERSE SIDE

1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, NOMINEES:

            FOR    AGAINST    ABSTAIN

 

01 Larry E. Reimert

02 Gary D. Smith

     

2. 

   Approval of the appointment of BDO Seidman LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006    ¨    ¨    ¨

        FOR

  all nominees

listed (except as

indicated below)

  

WITHHELD FOR ALL

                    

  ¨

  

    ¨

                    
Withheld for the nominees you list below: (Write that nominee’s name in the space provided below.)                     
______________________________________          Dated: ____________________________________, 2006
         ______________________________________________
         (Signature)
         ______________________________________________
        

(Signature)

Sign exactly as name appears hereon.

         (Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, officer, administrator, trustee, or guardian, please give full title as such.)

Please sign, date and return the Proxy Card promptly, using the enclosed envelope.

 

  

D    FOLD AND DETACH HERE    D