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CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS
THIS CODE APPLIES TO EVERY DIRECTOR, OFFICER (INCLUDING OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AND CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER), AND EMPLOYEE OF
SUPERIOR INDUSTRIES INTERNATIONAL, INC. (“THE “COMPANY”). THE TERM EMPLOYEE
INCLUDES ANY INDIVIDUAL THAT IS PAID ON THE COMPANY PAYROLL.
To further the Company’s fundamental principles of honesty, loyalty, fairness
and forthrightness, we have established this Code of Business Conduct and
Ethics (this “Code”). Our Code strives to deter wrongdoing and promote the
following six objectives:
1. Honest and ethical conduct;
2. Avoidance of conflicts of interest;
3. Full, fair, accurate, timely and transparent disclosure;
4. Compliance with the applicable government and self-regulatory organization
laws, rules and regulations;
5. Prompt internal reporting of Code violations; and
6. Accountability for compliance with the Code.
Below, we discuss situations that require application of our fundamental
principles and promotion of our objectives. If there is a conflict between this
Code and a specific procedure you should consult the office of the Vice
President and CFO for guidance.
ACCOUNTABILITY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE
Each of the Company’s directors, officers and employees is expected to:
Understand. The Company expects YOU to understand the requirements of your
position including Company expectations and governmental rules and regulations
that apply to your position.
Comply. The Company expects YOU to comply with this Code and all applicable
laws, rules and regulations.
Report. The Company expects YOU to report any violation of this Code of which
you become aware.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
| Accounting Policies |
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B-2 |
| Amendments and Modifications of this Code |
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B-3 |
| Anonymous Reporting |
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B-3 |
| Anti-boycott and U.S. Sanctions Laws |
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B-3 |
| Antitrust and Fair Competition Laws |
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B-3 |
| Bribery |
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B-4 |
| Compliance with Laws, Rules and Regulations |
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B-4 |
| Computer and Information Systems |
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B-5 |
| Confidential Information Belonging to Others |
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B-5 |
| Confidential and Proprietary Information |
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B-5 |
| Conflicts of Interest |
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B-6 |
| Corporate Communications |
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B-7 |
| Corporate Opportunities and Use and Protection of Company Assets |
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B-7 |
| Discipline for Noncompliance with this Code |
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B-7 |
| Disclosure Policies and Controls |
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B-8 |
| Environment, Health and Safety |
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B-8 |
| Fair Dealing with Others |
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B-8 |
| Filing of Government Reports |
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B-8 |
| Foreign Corrupt Practices Act |
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B-8 |
| Insider Trading or Stock Tipping |
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B-9 |
| Intellectual Property: Patents, Copyrights and Trademarks |
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B-10 |
| Non-Retaliation for Reporting |
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B-10 |
| Patents, Copyrights, and Trademarks |
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B-10 |
| Political Contributions |
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B-11 |
| Prohibited Substances |
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B-11 |
| Public Affairs |
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B-11 |
| Record Retention |
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B-11 |
| Relations Among Employees: Respect and Contribution |
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B-11 |
| Reporting of Code Violations |
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B-12 |
| Waivers |
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B-12 |
| Conclusion |
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B-13 |
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| Appendix—Ethics Certificate for CEO, CFO and CAO |
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ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company and each of its subsidiaries will make and keep books, records and
accounts, which in reasonable detail accurately and fairly present the
transactions and disposition of the assets of the Company.
All directors, officers, employees and other persons are prohibited from
directly or indirectly falsifying or causing to be false or misleading any
financial or accounting book, record or account. You and others are expressly
prohibited from directly or indirectly manipulating an audit, and from
destroying or tampering with any record, document or tangible object with the
intent to obstruct a pending or contemplated audit, review or federal
investigation. The commission of, or participation in, one of these prohibited
activities or other illegal conduct will subject you to federal penalties, as
well as punishment of up to and including termination of employment.
No director, officer or employee of the Company may directly or indirectly:
• Make or cause to be made a materially false or misleading statement, or
• Omit to state, or cause another person to omit to state, any material fact
necessary to make statements made not misleading in connection with the audit
of financial statements by independent accountants, the preparation of any
required reports whether by independent or internal accountants, or any other
work which involves or relates to the filing of a document with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
AMENDMENTS AND MODIFICATIONS OF THIS CODE
The current version of this Code shall be posted on the Company’s website as
required by applicable law or New York Stock Exchange Rules.
There shall be no amendment or modification to this Code except by a vote of
the Board of Directors or a designated board committee that will ascertain
whether an amendment or modification is appropriate.
In case of any amendment or modification of this Code that applies to an
officer or director of the Company, the amendment or modification shall be
posted on the Company’s website within two days of the board vote or shall be
otherwise disclosed as required by applicable law or New York Stock Exchange
rules. Notice posted on the website shall remain there for a period of 12
months and shall be retained in the Company’s files as required by law.
ANONYMOUS REPORTING
If you wish to report a suspected violation of this Code anonymously, you may
call the Anonymous Reporting Hotline at [1-866-252-0432]. This hotline is
operated by an independent third party that the Company has retained. All
reports received on this hotline are referred directly to the Audit Committee.
You do not have to reveal your identity in order to make a report on this
hotline. If you do reveal your identity, it will not be disclosed to the Audit
Committee or the Company unless disclosure is unavoidable during an
investigation. The Anonymous Reporting Hotline is maintained by the Audit
Committee pursuant to its charter.
ANTI-BOYCOTT AND U.S. SANCTIONS LAWS
The Company must comply with anti-boycott laws, which prohibit it from
participating in, and require us to report to the authorities any request to
participate in, a boycott of a country or businesses within a country. if you
receive such a request, report it to the Vice President of your division. We
will also not engage in business with any government, entity, organization or
individual where doing so is prohibited by applicable laws. For more
information on these laws contact the office of the Vice President and CFO.
ANTITRUST AND FAIR COMPETITION LAWS
The purpose of antitrust laws in the United States and most other countries is
to provide a level playing field to economic competitors and to promote fair
competition. No director, officer or employee, under any circumstances or in
any context, may enter into any understanding or agreement, whether express or
implied, formal or informal, written or oral, with an actual or potential
competitor, which would illegally limit or restrict in any way either party’s
actions, including the offers of either party to any third party. This
prohibition includes any action relating to prices, costs, profits, products,
services, terms or conditions of sale, market share or customer or supplier
classification or selection.
It is our policy to comply with all U.S. antitrust laws. This policy is not to
be compromised or qualified by anyone acting for or on behalf of our Company.
You must understand and comply with the antitrust laws as they may bear upon
your activities and decisions. Anti-competitive behavior in violation of
antitrust laws can result in criminal penalties, both for you and for the
Company. Accordingly, any question regarding compliance with antitrust laws or
your responsibilities under this policy should he directed to the office of the
Vice President and CFO. Any director, officer or employee found to have
knowingly participated in violating the antitrust laws will be subject to
disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.
Below are some scenarios that are prohibited and scenarios that could be
prohibited for antitrust reasons. These scenarios are not an exhaustive list of
all prohibited and possibly prohibited antitrust conduct. When in doubt about
any situation, whether it is discussed below or not, you should consult with
the Legal department.
The following scenarios are prohibited for antitrust or anti-competition
reasons:
• Proposals or agreements or understanding - express or implied, formal or
informal, written or oral - with any competitor regarding any aspect of
competition between the Company and the competitor for sales to third parties.
• Proposals or agreements or understanding with customers which restrict the
price or other terms at which the customer may resell or lease any product to a
third party.
• Proposals or agreements or understanding with suppliers which restrict the
price or other terms at which the Company may resell or lease any product or
service to a third party.
The following business arrangements could raise anti-competition or antitrust
law issues. Before entering into them, you must consult with the office of the
Vice President and CFO.
• Exclusive arrangements for the purchase or sale of products or services.
• Bundling of goods and services.
• Technology licensing agreements that restrict the freedom of the licensee or
licensor.
• Agreements to add an employee of the Company to another entity’s Board of
Directors.
BRIBERY
You are strictly forbidden from offering, promising or giving money, gifts,
loans, rewards, favors or anything of value to any governmental official,
employee, agent or other intermediary (either inside or outside the United
States) which is prohibited by law. Those paying a bribe may subject the
Company and themselves to civil and criminal penalties. When dealing with
government customers or officials, no improper payments will be tolerated. If
you receive any offer of money or gifts that is intended to influence a
business decision, it should be reported to your supervisor or the Vice
President and CFO’s office immediately.
The Company prohibits improper payments in all of its activities, whether these
activities are with governments or in the private sector.
COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS
The Company’s goal and intention is to comply with the laws, rules and
regulations by which we are governed. In fact, we strive to comply not only
with requirements of the law but also with recognized compliance practices. All
illegal activities or illegal conduct are prohibited whether or not they are
specifically set forth in this Code.
Where law does not govern a situation or where the law is unclear or
conflicting, you should discuss the situation with your supervisor and
management should seek advice from the office of the Vice President and CFO.
Business should always be conducted in a fair and forthright manner. Directors,
officers and employees are expected to act according to high ethical standards.
COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SYSTEMS
For business purposes, officers and employees are provided telephones and
computer workstations and software, including network access to computing
systems such as the Internet and e-mail, to improve personal productivity and
to efficiently manage proprietary information in a secure and reliable manner.
You must obtain the permission from the Information Technology Services
department to install any software on any Company computer or connect any
personal laptop to the Company network, As with other equipment and assets of
the Company, we are each responsible for the appropriate use of these assets.
Except for limited personal use of the Company’s telephones and
computer/e-mail, such equipment may he used only for business purposes.
Officers and employees should not expect a right to privacy of their e-mail or
Internet use. All e-mails or Internet use on Company equipment is subject to
monitoring by the Company.
CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION BELONGING TO OTHERS
You must respect the confidentiality of information, including, but not limited
to, trade secrets and other information given in confidence by others,
including but not limited to partners, suppliers, contractors, competitors or
customers, just as we protect our own confidential information. However,
certain restrictions about the information of others may place an unfair burden
on the Company’s future business. For that reason, directors, officers and
employees should coordinate with the office of the Vice President and CFO to
ensure appropriate agreements are in place prior to receiving any confidential
third-party information. These agreements must reflect a balance between the
value of the information received on the one hand and the logistical and
financial costs of maintaining confidentiality of the information and limiting
the Company’s business opportunities on the other. In addition, any
confidential information that you may possess from an outside source, such as a
previous employer, must not, so long as such information remains confidential,
be disclosed to or used by the Company. Unsolicited confidential information
submitted to the Company should be refused, returned to the sender where
possible and deleted, if received via the Internet.
CONFIDENTIAL AND PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
It is the Company’s policy to ensure that all operations, activities and
business affairs of the Company and our business associates are kept
confidential to the greatest extent possible. Confidential information includes
all non-public information that might be of use to competitors, or that might
be harmful to the Company or its customers if disclosed. Confidential and
proprietary information about the Company or its business associates belongs to
the Company, must be treated with strictest confidence and is not to be
disclosed or discussed with others.
Unless otherwise agreed to in writing, confidential and proprietary information
includes any and all methods, inventions, improvements or discoveries, whether
or not patentable or copyrightable, and any other information of a similar
nature disclosed to the directors, officers or employees of the Company or
otherwise made known to the Company as a consequence of or through employment
or association with the Company (including information originated by the
director, officer or employee). This can include, but is not limited to,
information regarding the Company’s business, products, processes, and
services. It also can include information relating to research, development,
inventions, trade secrets, intellectual property of any type or description,
data, business plans, marketing strategies, engineering, contract negotiations,
contents of the Company intranet and business methods or practices.
The following are examples of information that is not considered confidential:
• Information that is in the public domain to the extent it is readily
available;
• Information that becomes generally known to the public other than by
disclosure by the Company or a director, officer or employee; or
• Information you receive from a party that is under no legal obligation of
confidentiality with the Company with respect to such information.
We have exclusive property rights to all confidential and proprietary
information regarding the Company or our business associates. The unauthorized
disclosure of this information could destroy its value to the Company and give
others an unfair advantage. You are responsible for safeguarding Company
information and complying with established security controls and procedures.
All documents, records, notebooks, notes, memoranda and similar repositories of
information containing information of a secret, proprietary, confidential or
generally undisclosed nature relating to the Company or our operations and
activities made or compiled by the director, officer or employee or made
available to you prior to or during the term of your association with the
Company, including any copies thereof, unless otherwise agreed to in writing,
belong to the Company and shall be held by you in trust solely for the benefit
of the Company, and shall be delivered to the Company by you on the termination
of your association with us or at any other time we request.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Conflicts of interest can arise in virtually every area of our operations. A
“conflict of interest” exists whenever an individual’s private interests
interfere or conflict in any way. (or even appear to interfere or conflict)
with the interests of the Company. We must strive to avoid conflicts of
interest. We must each make decisions solely in the best interest of the
Company. Any business, financial or other relationship with suppliers,
customers or competitors that might impair or appear to impair the exercise of
our judgment solely for the benefit of the Company is prohibited.
Here are some examples of conflicts of interest:
Family Members. Actions of family members may create a conflict of interest.
For example, gifts to family members by a supplier of the Company are
considered gifts to you and must be reported. Doing business for the Company
with organizations where your family members are employed or that are partially
or fully owned by your family members or close friends may create a conflict or
the appearance of a conflict of interest. For purposes of this Code “family
members” includes any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent,
grandparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law,
daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, and adoptive relationships.
Gifts, Entertainment, Loans, or Other Favors. Directors, officers and employees
shall not seek or accept personal gain, directly or indirectly, from anyone
soliciting business from, or doing business with the Company, or from any
person or entity in competition with us. Examples of such personal gains are
gifts, non-business-related trips, gratuities, favors, loans, and guarantees of
loans, excessive entertainment or rewards. However, you may accept gifts of a
nominal value, Other than common business courtesies, directors, officers,
employees and independent contractors must not offer or provide anything to any
person or organization for the purpose of influencing the person or
organization in their business relationship with us.
Directors, officers and employees are expected to deal with advisors or
suppliers who best serve the needs of’ the Company as to price, quality and
service in making decisions concerning the use or purchase of materials,
equipment, property or services, directors, officers and employees who use the
Company’s advisors, suppliers or contractors in a personal capacity are
expected to pay market value for materials and services provided.
Outside Employment. Officers and employees may not participate in outside
employment, self-employment, or serve as officers, directors, partners or
consultants for outside organizations, if such activity:
1. reduces work efficiency;
2. interferes with your ability to act conscientiously in our best interest; or
3. requires you to utilize our proprietary or confidential procedures, plans or
techniques.
You must inform your supervisor of any outside employment, including the
employer’s name and expected work hours.
Reporting Conflicts of Interest or Potential Conflicts of Interest.
You should report any actual or potential conflict of interest involving
yourself or others of which you become aware to your supervisor or the office
of the Vice President and CFO. Officers should report any actual or potential
conflict of interest involving yourself or others of which you become aware to
the office of the Vice President and CFO or to the Chairman of the Nominating
and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. Directors should
report any actual or potential conflict of interest involving yourself or
others of which you become aware to the Chairman of the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS
See Investor Relations and Public Affairs.
CORPORATE OPPORTUNITIES AND USE AND PROTECTION OF COMPANY ASSETS
You are prohibited from:
1. taking for yourself, personally, opportunities that are discovered through
the use of Company property, information or position;
2. using Company property, information or position for personal gain; or
3. competing with the Company.
You have a duty to the Company to advance its legitimate interests when the
opportunity to do so arises.
You are personally responsible and accountable for the proper expenditure of
Company funds, including money spent for travel expenses or for customer
entertainment. You are also responsible for the proper use of property over
which you have control, including both Company property and funds and property
that customers or others have entrusted to your custody. Company assets must be
used only for proper purposes.
Company property should not be misused. Company property may not be sold,
loaned or given away regardless of condition or value, without proper
authorization. Each director, officer and employee should protect our assets
and ensure their efficient use. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct
impact on the Company’s profitability. Company assets should be used only for
legitimate business purposes.
DISCIPLINE FOR NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THIS CODE
Disciplinary actions for violations of this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics
can include oral or written reprimands, suspension or termination of employment
or a potential civil lawsuit against you.
The violation of laws, rules or regulations, which can subject the Company to
fines and other penalties, may result in your criminal prosecution.
DISCLOSURE POLICIES AND CONTROLS
The continuing excellence of the Company’s reputation depends upon our full and
complete disclosure of important information about the Company that is used in
the securities marketplace. Our financial and non-financial disclosures and
filings with the SEC must be transparent, accurate and timely. Proper reporting
of reliable, truthful and accurate information is a complex process involving
cooperation between many departments and disciplines. We must all work together
to insure that reliable, truthful and accurate information is disclosed to the
public.
The Company must disclose to the SEC, current security holders and the
investing public information that is required. and any additional information
that may be necessary to ensure the required disclosures are not misleading or
inaccurate. The Company requires you to participate in the disclosure process,
which is overseen by the Disclosure Committee and the CEO and CFO. The
disclosure process is designed to record, process, summarize and report
material information as required by all applicable laws, rules and regulations.
Participation in the disclosure process is a requirement of a public company,
and full cooperation and participation by members of the Disclosure Committee,
CEO, CFO and, upon request, other employees in the disclosure process is a
requirement of this Code.
Officers and employees must fully comply with their disclosure responsibilities
in an accurate and timely manner or be subject to discipline of up to and
including termination of employment.
ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY
The Company is committed to managing and operating our worldwide assets in a
manner that is protective of human health and safety and the environment. It is
our policy to comply, in all material respects, with applicable health, safety
and environmental laws and regulations. Each employee is also expected to
comply with our policies, programs, standards and procedures.
FAIR DEALING WITH OTHERS
No director, officer or employee should take unfair advantage of anyone through
manipulation, concealment, abuse of privileged information, misrepresentation
of material facts or any other unfair-dealing practice.
FILING OF GOVERNMENT REPORTS
Any reports or information provided, on our behalf, to federal, state, local or
foreign governments should be true, complete and accurate. Any omission,
misstatement or lack of attention to detail could result in a violation of the
reporting laws, rules and regulations.
FOREIGN CORRUPT PRACTICES ACT
The United States Foreign Corrupt Practices Act prohibits giving anything of
value, directly or indirectly, to foreign government officials or foreign
political candidates in order to obtain, retain or direct business.
Accordingly, corporate funds, property or anything of value may not be,
directly or indirectly, offered or given by you or an agent acting on our
behalf, to a foreign official, foreign political party or official thereof or
any candidate for a foreign political office for the purpose of influencing any
act or decision of such foreign person or inducing such person to use his
influence or in order to assist in obtaining or retaining business for, or
directing business to any person.
You are also prohibited from offering or paying anything of value to any
foreign person if it is known or there is a reason to know that all or part of
such payment will be used for the above-described prohibited actions. This
provision includes situations when intermediaries, such as affiliates, or
agents, are used to channel payoffs to foreign officials. The Foreign Corrupt
Practices Act also contains significant internal accounting control and
record-keeping requirements that apply to the Company’s domestic and
international operations.
INSIDER TRADING OR TIPPING
Directors, officers and employees who are aware of material, non-public
information from or about the Company (an “insider”) are not permitted,
directly or through family members or other persons or entities, to:
• Buy or sell securities (or derivatives relating to such securities) of the
Company, including transfers in or out of the stock funds in the Employee
Savings Plan (other than pursuant to a pre-approved trading plan that complies
with the SEC Rule 10b5-1), or
• Pass on, tip or disclose material, nonpublic information to others outside
the Company including family and friends, or to recommend that anyone else buy,
sell or retain securities of the Company
Such buying, selling or trading of securities may be punished by discipline of
up to and including termination of employment; civil actions, resulting in
penalties of up to three times the amount of profit gained or loss avoided by
the inside trade or stock tip; or criminal actions, resulting in fines and jail
time.
Examples of information that may be considered material, non-public information
in some circumstances are:
• Undisclosed annual, quarterly or monthly financial results, a change in
earnings or earnings projections, or unexpected or unusual gains or losses in
major operations;
• Undisclosed negotiations and agreements regarding mergers, concessions, joint
ventures, acquisitions, divestitures, business combinations or tender offers;
• An undisclosed increase or decrease in dividends on the Company’s common
stock;
• Undisclosed major management changes;
• A substantial contract award or termination that has not been publicly
disclosed;
• A major lawsuit or claim that has not been publicly disclosed;
• The gain or loss of a significant customer or supplier that has not been
publicly disclosed;
• An undisclosed filing of a bankruptcy petition by the Company or a
significant subsidiary;
• Information that is considered confidential; and
• Any other undisclosed information that could affect our stock price.
Another Company’s Securities.
The same policy also applies to securities issued by another company if you
have acquired material, nonpublic information relating to such company in the
course of your employment or affiliation with the Company.
Trades Following Disclosure.
When material information has been publicly disclosed, each insider must
continue to refrain from buying or selling the securities in question until the
third business day after the information has been publicly released to allow
the markets time to absorb the information.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:
PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS AND TRADEMARKS
Except as otherwise agreed to in writing between the Company and an officer or
employee, all intellectual property you conceive or develop during the course
of your employment shall be the sole property of the Company. The term
intellectual property includes any invention, discovery, concept, idea, or
writing whether protectable or not by any United States or foreign copyright,
trademark, patent, or common law including, but not limited to designs,
materials, compositions of matter, machines, manufactures, processes,
improvements, data computer software, writings, formula techniques, know-how,
methods, as well as improvements thereof or know-how related thereto concerning
any past, present, or prospective activities of the Company. Officers and
employees must promptly disclose in writing to the Company any intellectual
property developed or conceived either solely or with others during the course
of your employment and must render any and all aid and assistance, at our
expense to secure the appropriate patent, copyright, or trademark protection
for such intellectual property.
Works of authorship including literary works such as books, articles, and
computer programs; musical works, including any accompanying words; dramatic
works, including any accompanying music; pantomimes and choreographic works;
pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works; motion pictures and other audiovisual
works; sound recordings; and architectural works are protected by United States
and foreign copyright law as soon as they are reduced to a tangible medium
perceptible by humans with or without the aid of a machine, A work does NOT
have to bear a copyright notice in order to be protected and without the
copyright owner’s permission, no one may make copies of the work, create
derivative works, distribute the work, perform the work publicly, or display
the work publicly.
We have agreements in place, which grant employees permission to make use of
copyrighted works under certain conditions provided that the limitations of
those agreements are followed. You are authorized to make partial photocopies
of certain works pursuant to our agreement with the Copyright Clearance Center.
Copyright laws may protect items posted on a website, Unless a website grants
permission to download the Internet content you generally only have the legal
right to view the content. If you do not have permission to download and
distribute specific website content you should contact the office of the Vice
President and CFO.
If you are unclear as to the application of this Intellectual Property Policy
or if questions arise, please consult with the office of the Vice President and
CFO.
NON-RETALIATION FOR REPORTING
In no event will the Company take or threaten any action against you as a
reprisal or retaliation for making a complaint or disclosing or reporting
information in good faith. However, if a reporting individual was involved in
improper activity the individual may be appropriately disciplined even if he or
she was the one who disclosed the matter to the Company. In these
circumstances, we may consider the conduct of the reporting individual in
reporting the information as a mitigating factor in any disciplinary decision.
We will not allow retaliation against an employee for reporting a possible
violation of this Code in good faith. Retaliation for reporting a federal
offense is illegal under federal law and prohibited under this Code.
Retaliation for reporting any violation of a law, rule or regulation or a
provision of this Code is prohibited. Retaliation will result in discipline up
to and including termination of employment and may also result in criminal
prosecution.
PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, AND TRADEMARKS
See Intellectual Property.
POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS
You must refrain from making any use of Company, personal or other funds or
resources on behalf of the Company for political or other purposes which are
improper or prohibited by the applicable federal, state, local or foreign laws,
rules or regulations. Company contributions or expenditures in connection with
election campaigns will be permitted only to the extent allowed by federal,
state local or foreign election laws, rules and regulations.
You are encouraged to participate actively in the political process. We believe
that individual participation is a continuing responsibility of those who live
in a free country.
PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES
We have policies prohibiting the use of alcohol, illegal drugs or other
prohibited items, including legal drugs which affect the ability to perform
one’s work duties, while on Company premises. We also prohibit the possession
or use of alcoholic beverages, firearms, weapons or explosives on our property
unless authorized by an Executive Officer of the Company. You are also
prohibited from reporting to work while under the influence of alcohol or
illegal drugs. We perform pre-employment and random drug testing on employees.
RECORD RETENTION
We have detailed document retention policies to establish retention periods for
records created or received in the normal course of business. A record is any
information, regardless of physical format, which has been created or received
in the transaction of the Company’s business. Physical format of a record
includes hard copy, electronic, magnetic tape, disk, audio, video, optical
image, etc. Each corporate department is responsible for the maintenance,
retrieval, transfer, and destruction of its records in accordance with the
established filing procedures, records retention schedules and procedures.
The alteration. destruction or falsification of corporate documents or records
may constitute a criminal act. Destroying or altering documents with the intent
to obstruct a pending or anticipated official government proceeding is a
criminal act and could result in large fines and a prison sentence of up to 20
years. Document destruction or falsification in other contexts can result in a
violation of the federal securities laws or the obstruction of justice laws.
Before any destruction of any documents or records, you must consult the
Company’s document retention procedures. You are required to review, follow and
abide by the terms of those procedures. If the procedure is not clear,
questions arise, or there is a pending or anticipated official proceeding, then
the office of the Vice President and CFO must approve any document destruction.
RELATIONS AMONG EMPLOYEES; RESPECT AND CONTRIBUTION
We function as a team. Your success as part of this team depends on your
contribution and ability to inspire the trust and confidence of your coworkers
and supervisors. Respect for the rights and dignity of others and a dedication
to the good of our Company are essential.
A cornerstone of our success is the teamwork of our directors, officers and
employees. We must each respect the rights of others while working as a team to
fulfill our objectives. To best function as part of a team, you must be
trustworthy and dedicated to high standards of performance. The relationships
between business groups also require teamwork. To facilitate respect and
contribution among employees, we have implemented the following employment
policies:
• To hire, pay and assign work on the basis of qualifications and performance;
• Not to discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national
origin, color, gender, age, citizenship, veteran’s status, marital status or
disability;
• To attract and retain a highly talented workforce;
• To encourage skill growth through training and education and promotional
opportunities;
• To encourage an open discussion between all levels of employees and to
provide an opportunity for feedback from the top to the bottom and from the
bottom to the top;
• To prohibit any sexual, physical, verbal or any other kind of harassment by
others while an employee is on the job;
• To make the safety and security of our employees while at Company facilities
a priority;
• To recognize and reward additional efforts that go beyond our expectations;
and
• To respect all workers’ rights to dignity and personal privacy by not
disclosing employee information, including protected health information,
unnecessarily.
REPORTING OF CODE VIOLATIONS
You should be alert and sensitive to situations that could result in actions
that might violate federal, state, or local laws or the standards of conduct
set forth in this Code. If you believe your own conduct or that of a fellow
employee may have violated any such laws or this Code, you have an obligation
to report the matter.
Generally, you should raise such matters first with an immediate supervisor.
However, if you are not comfortable bringing the matter up with your immediate
supervisor, or do not believe the supervisor has dealt with the matter
properly, then you should raise the matter with the Vice President in charge of
your division or, if a law, rule or regulation is in question, then consult
with the office of the Vice President and CFO. The most important point is that
possible violations should be reported and we support all means of reporting
them.
Directors and officers should report any potential violations of this Code to
the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors.
WAIVERS
There shall be no waiver of any part of this Code for any director or officer
except by a vote of the Board of Directors or a designated board committee that
will ascertain whether a waiver is appropriate under all the circumstances. In
case a waiver of this Code is granted to a director or officer, the notice of
such waiver shall be posted on our website within five days of the Board of
Director’s vote or shall be otherwise disclosed as required by applicable law
or New York Stock Exchange rule. Notices posted on our website shall remain
there for a period of 12 months and shall be retained in our files as required
by law.
A waiver for a specific event arising under the “Conflicts of Interest” section
of this Code may be granted to an employee that is not a director or officer on
the approval of two of the following officers: the Vice President in charge of
the division or department for which the employee works; the Vice President and
CFO; and, the Chief Governance Officer. No other waivers of this Code are
permitted.
CONCLUSION
This Code is an attempt to point all of us at the Company in the right
direction, but no document can achieve the level of principled compliance that
we are seeking. In reality, each of us must strive every day to maintain our
awareness of these issues and to comply with the Code’s principles to the best
of our abilities. Before we take an action, we must always ask ourselves:
Does it feel right?
Is this action ethical in every way?
Is this action in compliance with the law?
Could my action create an appearance of impropriety?
Am I trying to fool anyone, including myself, about the propriety of this
action?
If an action would elicit the wrong answer to any of these questions, do not
take it. We cannot expect perfection, but we do expect good faith. If you act
in bad faith or fail to report illegal or unethical behavior, then you will be
subject to disciplinary procedures. We hope that you agree that the best course
of action is to be honest, forthright and loyal at all times.
APPENDIX
CERTIFICATE OF ETHICS FOR THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
AND CHIEF ACCOUNTING OFFICER
In my role as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”)
or Chief Accounting Officer (“CAO”) of Superior Industries International, Inc.
(the “Company”), I have adhered to and advocated to the best of my knowledge
and ability the following principles and responsibilities governing
professional conduct and ethics:
1. Act with honesty and integrity, avoiding actual or apparent conflicts of
interest in personal and professional relationships. A “conflict of interest”
exists when an individual’s private interests interfere or conflict in any way
(or even appear to interfere or conflict) with the interests of the Company.
2. Provide constituents with information that is accurate, complete, objective,
relevant, timely and understandable. If I am the CEO or CFO I shall review the
annual and quarterly reports before certifying and filing them with the SEC.
3. Comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of federal, state and
local governments, and other appropriate private and public regulatory
agencies.
4. Act in good faith, responsibly, with due care, competence and diligence,
without misrepresenting material facts or allowing my independent judgment to
be subordinated.
5. Respect the confidentiality of information acquired in the course of
business except when authorized or otherwise legally obligated to disclose the
information. I acknowledge that confidential information acquired in the course
of business is not to be used for personal advantage.
6. Promote ethical behavior among employees at the Company and as a responsible
partner with industry peers and associates.
7. Maintain control over and responsibly manage all assets arid resources
employed or entrusted to me by the Company.
8. Report illegal or unethical conduct by any director, officer or employee
that has occurred, is occurring or may occur, including any potential
violations of the Company’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”).
Such report shall be made to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
of the Board of Directors and shall include conduct of a financial or
non-financial nature.
9. Comply with the Code. I understand that if I violate any part of the Code, I
will be subject to disciplinary action.
I understand that the Code is subject to all applicable laws, rules and
regulations.
I understand that there shall be no waiver of, modification of, or change to
any part of the Code except by a vote of the Board of Directors or a designated
Board committee. In the event that a waiver of, modification of, or a change to
the Code is granted, then the notice of the waiver, modification and/or change
shall be posted on the Company’s website within five business days of the Board
of Director’s or designated Board committee’s vote or shall be disclosed
otherwise as required by applicable law or NYSE or SEC rules. Notices posted on
the Company website shall remain there for a period of 12 months and shall be
retained in the Company’s files as required by law.
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Accounting Officer
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