Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the 20202022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., to be held at 9:3000 a.m., localU.S. eastern time, on Tuesday, May 19, 2020,24, 2022.

Vishay has adopted a virtual annual meeting in 2022 due to health, transportation, and other logistical issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The annual meeting will be accessible to stockholders via the Internet at Vishay Intertechnology, Inc. World Headquarters, 63 Lancaster Ave., Malvern, PA 19355. The Boardwww.virtualshareholdingmeeting.com/VSH2022. To participate, stockholders will need the control number included on the attached Notice of Directors looks forwardAnnual Meeting of Stockholders, on your proxy card or on your voting instruction form. Those without a control number may attend as guests of the meeting, but they will not have the option to greeting you personally atvote their shares during the annual meeting.meeting or ask questions during the virtual event.

During the annual meeting, we will discuss each item of business described in the attached Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and proxy statement and provide a report on Vishay's business operations.  We will provide time for questions.statement.

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express our appreciation for your continued interest in the affairs of Vishay.  We hope you will be able to attend the virtual annual meeting.  Whether or not you expect to attend the virtual annual meeting, and regardless of the number of shares you own, it is important that your shares are represented and voted at the annual meeting.  Therefore, you are encouraged to sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy card in the return envelope provided, or follow the instructions to vote online, so that your shares will be represented and voted at the annual meeting.

 

The following materials, also included with this Notice, are available for viewing on the Internet:

Proxy Statement for the 20202022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

20192021 Annual Report to Stockholders

To view these materials, visit ir.vishay.com.

 

 

 

 

The stockholders of record at the close of business on March 23, 202028, 2022 will be entitled to vote at the virtual Annual Meeting or at any adjournment thereof. 

 

 

Whether or not you expect to attendparticipate in the online meeting, in person, please complete, date, and sign the enclosed proxy card and return it without delay in the enclosed envelope which requires no additional postage if mailed in the United States. If you are enrolled in our electronic proxy materials delivery service and received these proxy materials via the Internet, you will need to follow the procedures for online voting to vote your shares.

Malvern, Pennsylvania

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has determined to reappoint the public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2020,2022, as well as to audit the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  Although stockholder approval for the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP is not required, we are continuing our practice of submitting the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm to stockholders for their ratification. 

 

 

 

Executive Committee - The Executive Committee is authorized to exercise all functions of the Board of Directors in the intervals between meetings of the Board to the extent delegated by the Board and as permitted by Delaware law.  The current chairmanChair of the Committee is Mr. Zandman.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee - The functions of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include identifying individuals qualified to become members of the Board; selecting or recommending that the Board of Directors select the director nominees for the next annual meeting of stockholders; developing and recommending to the Board Executive Officer succession plans; developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance principles for Vishay; overseeing the evaluation of the Board and the management of Vishay; administering Vishay's Related Party Transactions Policy; and performing other related functions specified in the Committee's charter.  The current chairmanChair of the Committee is Dr. Abraham Ludomirski.

Audit Committee - The functions of the Audit Committee include overseeing Vishay's accounting and financial reporting processes; overseeing the audits of our consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; assisting the Board in its oversight of the integrity of our financial statements, our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the independence and qualifications of our independent registered public accounting firm, and the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm; and performing other related functions specified in the Committee's charter. The Audit Committee consists of at least three non-management directors, each of whom satisfies the independence requirements of the rules of the SEC and the governance listing requirements of the NYSE.  All of the members of the Committee also satisfy the financial literacy requirements of the NYSE and our Board has determined that Mr. Thomas C. Wertheimer, the chairmanretiring Chair of the Committee, and Mr. Jeffrey H. Vanneste, qualify as Audit Committee financial experts under the rules of the SEC. Upon Mr. Wertheimer's retirement, Mr. Vanneste will become Chair of the Audit Committee.

Compensation Committee - The functions of the Compensation Committee include evaluating the performance of the Chief Executive Officer; establishing and approving all compensation for our Executive Officers; making recommendations to the Board with respect to compensation of non-managementnon-employee directors; making recommendations to the Board with respect to, and administering, our incentive compensation plans and equity based compensation plans; and performing other related functions specified in the Committee's charter.  The Compensation Committee is authorized, within the limits of the 2007 Stock Incentive Program of Vishay (the "2007 Program"), to determine the individuals who are to receive grants, including stock, stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units, ("RSUs"), and the vesting requirements with respect to those grants, and to administer and interpret the plan.  The current chairmanChair of the Committee is Mr. Timothy Talbert.  Also see "Executive Compensation."

 

The chairmanChair of the Compensation Committee presides at the executive sessions of the Board's independent directors.

 

 

Management continually monitors the material risks facing the Company, including financial risk, strategic risk, operational risk, cybersecurity risk, and legal and compliance risk. The Board of Directors is responsible for exercising oversight of management's identification and management of, and planning for, those risks. Although the Board is ultimately responsible for risk oversight at the Company, the Board has delegated to certain Committees oversight responsibility for those risks that are directly related to their area of focus.

 

 

Each of these Committees routinely reports to the Board on the management of these specific risk areas. To permit the Board and its Committees to perform their respective risk oversight roles, individual members of management who supervise the Company's risk management report directly to the Board or the relevant Committee of the Board responsible for overseeing the management of specific risks, as applicable.

The Board believes that full and open communication between management and the Board is essential for effective risk management and oversight. Members of the Company's senior management regularly attend Board and Committee meetings and are available to address any questions or concerns raised on matters related to risk management. The Board and its Committees exercise their risk oversight function by carefully evaluating the reports they receive from management and by making inquiries of management with respect to areas of particular interest to the Board.

In selecting candidates for nomination at the annual meeting of our stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee begins by determining whether the incumbent directors whose terms expire at the meeting desire and are qualified to continue their service on the Board. We are of the view that the repeated service of qualified incumbents promotes stability and continuity in the boardroom, giving us the benefit of the familiarity and insight into our affairs that our directors have accumulated during their tenure and contributing to the Board's ability to work as a collective body.  Accordingly, it is the policy of the Committee, absent special circumstances, to nominate qualified incumbent directors who continue to satisfy the Committee's criteria for membership on the Board, who the Committee believes will continue to make important contributions to the Board, and who consent to stand for re-election and, if re-elected, to continue their service on the Board.  If there are Board positions for which the Committee will not be re-nominating a qualified incumbent, the Committee will solicit recommendations for nominees from persons who the Committee believes are likely to be familiar with qualified candidates, including members of the Board and senior management.

The Committee may also engage an independent search firm to assist in identifying qualified candidates.  Where such a search firm is engaged, the Committee will set the fees and scope of engagement.  The Committee will review and evaluate each candidate who it believes merits serious consideration, taking into account all available information concerning the candidate, the qualifications for Board membership established by the Committee, the existing composition and mix of talent and expertise on the Board and other factors that it deems relevant.  In conducting its review and evaluation, the Committee may solicit the views of management and other members of the Board and may, if deemed helpful, conduct interviews of proposed candidates.  The Committee will evaluate candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as candidates recommended by other persons, except that the Committee may consider, as one of the factors in its evaluation of stockholder recommended candidates, the size and duration of the interest of the recommending stockholder or stockholder group in the equity of Vishay and whether the stockholders or stockholder group intend to continue holding its interest through the annual meeting date.

Candidates for nomination to our Board are selected by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in accordance with the Committee's charter, our Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, our Bylaws and our Corporate Governance Principles.  Under our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Policy Regarding Qualifications of Directors, which can be found on our website, we require that all candidates for director (including the continued service of existing members) be persons of integrity and sound ethical character; be able to represent all stockholders fairly; have no interests that materially conflict with those of Vishay and its stockholders; have demonstrated professional achievement; have meaningful management, advisory or policy making experience; have a general appreciation of the major business issues facing the Company; and have adequate time to devote to serve on the Board of Directors. When considering nominees, the Committee may also consider whether the candidate possesses the qualifications, experience and skills it considers appropriate in the context of the Board's overall composition and needs.  A limited exception to some of these requirements, other than the requirements of integrity and ethics and the absence of material conflict, may be made for a holder of substantial voting power.  Additionally, directors may not stand for re-election after the age of 75 unless the Board makes an affirmative determination that, because of the importance and value of the continued service of a director, the retirement policy should be waived, and in no event may a director stand for re-election after the age of 85.  This policy does not apply to any person who controls more than 20% of the voting power of the Company. We also require that a majority of directors be independent; at least three of the directors have the financial literacy necessary for service on the Audit Committee and at least one of these directors qualifies as an Audit Committee financial expert; at least some of the independent directors have served as senior executives of public or substantial private companies; and at least some of the independent directors have general familiarity with the industries in which we operate.  Additionally, while the Company does not have a formal policy with respect to the consideration of diversity in identifying director candidates, the benefits of board diversity are considered in the nominations process, including diversity of background and experience. A detailed description of the qualifications required of candidates for director, as well as the specific qualities or skills we believe should be possessed by one or more directors, can be found on our website under our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Policy Regarding Qualifications of Directors.

 

To assist it with its evaluation of the director nominees for election at the 20202022 annual meeting of stockholders, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee took into account all of the factors listed above.  In the section "Directors", under the headingsheading "Nominees for Terms Expiring 2023" and "Nominee for Term Expiring 2021"2025", we provide an overview of each nominee's principal occupation, together with the qualifications, key attributes and skills that the Committee and the Board believes will best serve the interests of the Board, the Company and our stockholders.

Yes. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider recommendations for director nominations submitted by stockholders entitled to vote generally in the election of directors. Submissions must be made in accordance with the Committee's procedures, as outlined below and set forth on our website.  For each annual meeting of our stockholders, the Committee will accept for consideration only one recommendation from any stockholder or affiliated group of stockholders. The Committee will only consider candidates who satisfy our minimum qualifications for director, as summarized in this proxy statement and as set forth on our website.  In considering a stockholder recommendation, the Committee will take into account, among other factors, the size and duration of the recommending stockholder's ownership interest in Vishay and whether the stockholder intends to continue holding that interest through the annual meeting date.  Stockholders should be aware, as discussed above, that it is our general policy to re-nominate qualified incumbent directors and that, absent special circumstances, the Committee will not consider other candidates when a qualified incumbent director consents to stand for re-election.

A stockholder wishing to recommend to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee a candidate for election as director must submit the recommendation in writing, addressed to the Committee, care of our Corporate Secretary, at Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., 63 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, PA 19355.  Submissions must be made by mail, courier, or personal delivery.  E-mailed submissions will not be considered.  Submissions recommending candidates for election at an annual meeting of stockholders must generally be received no later than 120 calendar days prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the prior annual meeting of stockholders.  In the event that the date of an annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30 days following the first anniversary date of the annual meeting of stockholders for the prior year, the submission must be made a reasonable time in advance of the mailing of our proxy statement for the current year.   Each nominating recommendation must be accompanied by the information called for by our "Procedures for Securityholders' Submission of Nominating Recommendations," which is posted on our website.Recommendations".  This includes specified information concerning the stockholder or group of stockholders making the recommendation and the proposed nominee, any relationships between the recommending stockholder or stockholders and the proposed nominee and the qualifications of the proposed nominee to serve as director.  The recommendation must also be accompanied by the consent of the proposed nominee to serve if nominated and elected and the agreement of the nominee to be contacted by the Committee, if the Committee decides in its discretion to do so.

Vishay stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors, any Committee of the Board or any individual director, and any interested party may communicate with the independent directors of the Board as a group, by delivering such communications either in writing addressed or by e-mail to:

 

All communications must be accompanied by the following information: (i) if the person submitting the communication is a securityholder, a statement of the type and amount of the securities of Vishay that the person holds; (ii) if the person submitting the communication is not a securityholder and is submitting the communication to the independent directors as an interested party, the nature of the person's interest in Vishay; (iii) any special interest, meaning an interest not in the capacity as a securityholder of Vishay, of the person in the subject matter of the communication; and (iv) the address, telephone number and e-mail address, if any, of the person submitting the communication.  Communications addressed to directors may, at the direction of the directors, be shared with Vishay's management.

Our stockholders will be asked to consider threefour nominees for election to our Board to serve as Class IIIII directors for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2023, and one nominee for election to our Board to serve as a Class III director for a term expiring at the annual meeting of stockholders in 2021,2025, and until their successors, if any, are elected or appointed, or their earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. The nominees are:

 

 

Each nominees' current positions and offices, tenure as a Vishay director, their respective committee memberships, and their qualifications are set forth under "Directors" beginning on page 4. All of the nominees are current Vishay directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee reviewed the qualifications of each of the nominees and recommended to our Board that each nominee be submitted to a vote of our stockholders at the Annual Meeting.  The Board approved the Committee's recommendation at its meeting on February 25, 2020.22, 2022.

Each of the nominees has agreed to be named and to serve if elected. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve if elected, except with respect to Dr. Paul who on February 22, 2022, announced his decision to retire as President and CEO effective December 31, 2022. If elected at the Annual Meeting, Dr. Paul will resign from the Board effective December 31, 2022. The Board intends to appoint Joel Smejkal, who will succeed Dr. Paul as President and CEO, to the Board, effective January 1, 2023.

If any nominee for director becomes unavailable for election, the proxies will be voted for such substitute nominee(s) as the Board of Directors may propose. If you voted for the unavailable nominee, your vote will be cast for his or her replacement. We have no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable or unwilling to serve if elected.

 

Under the Company's Corporate Governance Principles, directors may not stand for election or re-election after the age of 75, unless the Board makes an affirmative determination that, because of the importance and value of the continued service of a director, the retirement policy should be waived. In no event may a director stand for re-election after the age of 85.  Prior to his nomination for re-election in 2022, the Board made such a determination with respect to Mr. Talbert. This policy does not apply to any person who controls more than 20% of the voting power of the Company.

 

Management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, for assessing the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, and for preparing our consolidated financial statements. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for, among other things, performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and issuing a report thereon. Our independent registered public accounting firm is also responsible for auditing the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in accordance with standards of the PCAOB, and issuing a report thereon. It is the responsibility of the Audit Committee to monitor and oversee these processes.

In fulfilling its oversight duties, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the following with management and our independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP:  (a) the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019;2021; (b) the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting; and (c) discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm matters required to be discussed under PCAOB standards. These required communications addressed, among other topics, overall audit strategy, timing of the audit, and significant risks identified and any changes thereto; the independent registered public accounting firm's responsibility under the standards of the PCAOB; going concern; significant and critical accounting policies and practices; critical accounting estimates; significant unusual transactions; difficult or contentious matters subject to consultation outside of the audit team; new accounting pronouncements; material alternative accounting treatments; corrected misstatements; uncorrected misstatements considered by management to be immaterial; significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting; other information in documents containing audited financial statements; management's Section 302 disclosures about changes in internal control; additional information included in management's report on internal control; fraud and illegal acts; information relevant to the audit; fees and related SEC disclosures; significant issues discussed with management in connection with the auditor's retention; significant difficulties encountered in performing an audit; disagreements with management; management's consultations with other accountants; other material written communications with management; and AICPA ethics ruling regarding third-party service providers. The Audit Committee received from the independent registered public accounting firm written disclosures regarding the firm's independence required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526, Communication with Audit Committees Concerning Independence, and has discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm, the firm's independence. The Audit Committee also considered the compatibility of non-audit services provided to Vishay by Ernst & Young LLP, and the fees and costs billed or to be billed for these services, with the maintenance of the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. The Committee has concluded that the provision of the non-audit services by Ernst & Young LLP in 20192021 did not impair the independent registered public accounting firm's independence. (The fees and costs billed by the independent registered public accounting firm for audit and non-audit services in 20192021 and 20182020 are shown under Proposal Two.) Under the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy that was adopted by the Audit Committee in May 2003 (which was amended and restated in October 2010), the Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided to Vishay by the independent registered public accounting firm. The policy sets forth the procedures and conditions for pre-approval of these services. All of the audit and non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm since adoption of the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy were pre-approved by the Committee in accordance with such policy.

 

Based upon the above review and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that our audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20192021 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2020,2022, but the Committee has determined in accordance with our historical practices to submit the appointment for ratification by stockholders (See(see Proposal Two).

Respectfully submitted,

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors

Thomas C. Wertheimer, ChairmanChair

Michael J. Cody

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm.  The Committee has determined to reappoint the public accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020,2022, as well as to audit the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting.  Although stockholder approval for the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm is not required, we are continuing our practice of submitting the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm to stockholders for their ratification.

Ernst & Young LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm continuously since 1968. The Audit Committee believes that the knowledge of the Company's business gained by Ernst & Young LLP through this period of service is valuable.  Pursuant to the SEC rules, the lead partner must be rotated after five years, which provides the Company the benefit of new thinking and approaches.

Representatives of the firm of Ernst & Young LLP are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement if they so desire and will be available to respond to appropriate questions from stockholders.

Under the Audit and Non-Audit Services Pre-Approval Policy that was adopted by the Audit Committee in May 2003 (which was amended and restated in October 2010), the Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided to Vishay by the independent registered public accounting firm.  The policy sets forth the procedures and conditions for pre-approval of these services.  The Audit Committee has pre-approved generally the engagement of the independent registered public accounting firm for services relating to our filings with the SEC (including comfort letters and consents for securities offerings), acquisition or disposition related diligence activities, internal control review and compliance, interpretation and compliance with accounting and accounting-related disclosure rules and standards, certain attest services, domestic and international tax planning and compliance, and risk management.

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed by Ernst & Young LLP for audit and non-audit services rendered to Vishay in 20192021 and 2018.2020.  These fees are categorized as audit fees, audit-related fees, tax fees, and all other fees.  The nature of the services provided in each category is described following the table.

 

 

Audit fees. These fees generally consist of professional services rendered for the audits of the consolidated financial statements of Vishay and its internal control over financial reporting, quarterly reviews, statutory audits, issuance of consents, and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC.

Audit-related fees.  These fees generally consist of assurance and other services related to the performance of the audit or review of Vishay's financial statements or that are traditionally performed by the independent registered public accounting firm, and consultations concerning financial accounting and reporting standards.

Tax fees.  These fees generally relate primarily to tax compliance, including review and preparation of corporate and expatriate tax returns, assistance with tax audits, review of the tax treatment for certain expenses, extra-territorial tax analysis, and tax due diligence relating to acquisitions.  They also include fees for state and local tax planning and consultations with respect to various domestic and international tax matters.

All other fees.  These fees generally consist of reviews for compliance with various government regulations, risk management and treasury reviews and assessments and audits of various contractual arrangements.

Vishay did not make use in 20192021 of the rule that waives pre-approval requirements for non-audit services in certain cases if the fees for these services constitute less than 5% of the total fees paid to the independent registered public accounting firm during the year.

Class B shares are transferable only to certain permitted transferees while the common stock is freely transferable.  Class B shares are convertible on a one-for-one basis at any time into shares of common stock.  Transfers of Class B shares other than to permitted transferees result in the automatic conversion of the Class B shares into common stock.  Voting is not cumulative.  The percentage of total voting power below represents voting power with respect to all shares of common stock and Class B common stock, as a single class, calculated on the basis of ten votes per share of Class B common stock and one vote per share of common stock.

The following table shows the number of shares of Vishay common stock and Class B common stock beneficially owned by (a) each director and director nominee, (b) each "Executive Officer" identified under "Executive Compensation," (c) the directors, director nominees, and executive officers of Vishay as a group, and (d) any person owning more than 5% of Vishay common stock or the Class B common stock.  Unless otherwise noted, the information is stated as of March 23, 2020,the record date, and the beneficial owners exercise sole voting or dispositive power over their shares.The percentages of class and voting power amounts set forth in the table below are based on the number of shares outstanding and eligible to vote as of the record date, rather than based on the percentages set forth in stockholders’ Schedules 13G or 13D, as applicable, filed with the SEC.

 

 

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock to report their ownership of and transactions in our stock in filings with the SEC.  Vishay believes, based solely on a review of our records and other publicly available information, that our directors and executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our common stock complied with all applicable Section 16(a) reporting requirements during the year ended December 31, 2019, except that a Form 4 for Mr. Maier's sale of shares on March 4, 2019 was filed two days late.2021.

No member of the Compensation Committee was at any time during 20192021 an officer or employee of Vishay or any of the Company's subsidiaries nor was any such person a former officer of Vishay or any of the Company's subsidiaries. In addition, no Compensation Committee member is an executive officer of another entity at which one of the Company's executive officers serves on the board of directors.

 

The Executive Officers of Vishay along with their respective ages and positions with Vishay, as of March 23, 2020,28, 2022, are as follows: