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UNITED STATES


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ___ )

Filed by the Registrant
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))
 
Definitive Proxy Statement
 
Definitive Additional Materials
 
Soliciting Material Pursuant to section 240.14a-12

 

BROOKS AUTOMATION,

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AZENTA, 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)all boxes that apply):
No fee required.required
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
Fee computed on table belowin exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
0-11(1)Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
(2)Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
(3)Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
(set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
(4)Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5)Total fee paid:
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
(1)Amount Previously Paid:
(2)Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3)Filing Party:
(4)Date filed:

Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Brooks Automation, Inc.



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Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of Azenta, Inc.
Tuesday, January 31, 2018

30, 2024

10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time,

Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 776 Boylston Street Boston, Massachusetts 02199


Virtual-Only Meeting
RECORD DATE: DECEMBER 4, 2017

December 7, 2023
MEETING AGENDA
MEETING AGENDA
To elect ten director nominees
To approve, by a non-binding advisory vote, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement
To recommend, on an advisory basis, the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation
To ratify PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm for the 20182024 fiscal year
The stockholders will also act on any other business as may properly come before the meeting.

The stockholders will also act on any other business as may properly come before the meeting.

How to Vote Your Shares

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You may submit proxies by completing, signing and dating the proxy card and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope.

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You may submit proxies by telephone until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 30, 201829, 2024 for shares held directly and until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 27, 2024 for shares held in a Plan by calling 1-800-690-6903. The proxy card includes instructions on submitting proxies by telephone.

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You may submit proxies using the Internet until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 30, 201829, 2024 for shares held directly and until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 27, 2024 for shares held in a Plan by visiting www.proxyvote.com. The proxy card includes instructions on submitting proxies using the Internet.

If you hold shares in a brokerage account, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker to vote your shares by mail, telephone or electronically via the Internet.

All stockholders of Azenta, Inc. are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. To ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting we urge you to complete a proxy telephonically, electronically or by mail, if you requested a proxy statement be mailed to you as described in the proxy statement.

By Order of the Board of Directors

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JASON W. JOSEPH,
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary
Burlington, Massachusetts
December 15, 2023
Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be held on January 30, 2024. On December 15, 2023 we began mailing to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access our proxy statement for our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and our annual report. The Notice, the attached proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 are available on our website at www.azenta.com. They are also available to stockholders without charge upon written request addressed to Investor Relations, Azenta, Inc., 200 Summit Drive, 6th Floor, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, which is the mailing address of the Company’s principal executive offices. In addition, you may access these materials at www.proxyvote.com, which does not have “cookies” that identify visitors to the site.

Chelmsford,Massachusetts
December13,2017TABLE OF CONTENTS

JASONW.JOSEPH,
SeniorVicePresident,GeneralCounselandSecretary

Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting to be held on January 31, 2018. On December 13, 2017, we began mailing to our stockholders a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) containing instructions on how to access our proxy statement for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and our annual report. The Notice, the attached proxy statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, are available at our website at www.brooks.com. In addition, you may access these materials at www.proxyvote.com, which does not have “cookies” that identify visitors to the site.


BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement3


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Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

48

Post-Employment Benefits

49

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

55

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement4


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BROOKS AUTOMATION,

This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors (the “Board of Directors” or the “Board”) of Brooks Automation,Azenta, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“we”, “us”, “Brooks”“Azenta” or the “Company”), for use at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 776 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199in a virtual-only format, solely by means of remote communication, on January 31, 2018,30, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., local time,Eastern Time, and at any adjournment or adjournmentspostponement thereof (the “Annual Meeting”).

We have designed the format of the Annual Meeting to provide stockholders the same rights and opportunities to participate as they would at an in-person meeting.
We expect that this proxy statement and the accompanying proxy materials will first be made available to stockholders on or about December 13, 2017;15, 2023; on the same day, we will begin sending the Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials to all stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.

Access to the Audio Webcast of the Annual Meeting
The live audio webcast of the Annual Meeting will begin promptly at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Online access to the audio webcast will open 15 minutes prior to the start of the Annual Meeting to allow time for you to log-in and test your device’s audio system. The virtual Annual Meeting is running the most updated version of the applicable software and plugins. You should ensure you have a strong Internet connection wherever you intend to participate in the Annual Meeting. You should also allow plenty of time to log in and ensure that you can hear streaming audio prior to the start of the Annual Meeting.
Log-in Instructions. To be admitted to the virtual Annual Meeting, you will need to log-in at
www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AZTA2024 using the 16-digit control number found on the proxy card or voting instruction card previously mailed or made available to stockholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
Technical Assistance. Beginning 15 minutes prior to, and during, the Annual Meeting, we will have support available to assist stockholders with any technical difficulties they may have accessing or hearing the Annual Meeting. If you encounter any difficulty accessing, or during, the Annual Meeting, please call the support team at the number listed on our website at www.Azenta.investorroom.com (2024 Annual Meeting Material).
Voting Prior to or at the Annual Meeting. An online portal is available to stockholders at www.proxyvote.com where you can view and download our proxy materials and 2023 Annual Report and vote your shares in advance of the Annual Meeting. You may vote your shares during the Annual Meeting (up until the closing of the polls) by following the instructions available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AZTA2024 during the Annual Meeting.
Shares may be voted via the original proxy card or pursuant to the instructions for submitting your proxy via the Internet or telephone that are included in the proxy materials.
Submitting Questions at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders may submit questions for the Annual Meeting after logging in. If you wish to submit a question, you may do so by logging into the virtual meeting platform at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/AZTA2024, typing your question into the “Ask a Question” field, and clicking “Submit.” Please submit any questions before the start time of the meeting.
Appropriate questions related to the business of the Annual Meeting (the proposals being voted on) will be answered during the Annual Meeting, subject to time constraints. Any such questions that cannot be answered during the Annual Meeting due to time constraints will be posted and answered at www.azenta.investorroom.com (2024 Annual Meeting Material) as soon as practical after the Annual Meeting. Additional information regarding the ability of stockholders to ask questions during the Annual Meeting, related to rules of conduct and other materials for the Annual Meeting will be available at www.azenta.investorroom.com (2024 Annual Meeting Material).
OurAnnualReportonForm10-KforthefiscalyearendedSeptember30,2017, 2023, asfiledwiththeSecuritiesandExchangeCommission(“SEC”),isincludedastheAnnualReporttoStockholdersbeingmadeavailabletoourstockholderswiththisproxystatement.ItisalsoavailabletostockholderswithoutchargeuponwrittenrequestaddressedtoInvestorRelations,BrooksAutomation, Azenta, Inc.,15Elizabeth 200 Summit Drive,Chelmsford, 6th Floor, Burlington, Massachusetts01824, 01803, whichisthemailingaddressoftheCompany’sprincipalexecutiveoffices,and,asnotedbelow,itcanalsobeobtainedviatheInternet.Exhibitswillbeprovideduponwrittenrequestandpaymentofanappropriateprocessing fee.
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Record Date, Voting Rights and Outstanding Shares

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on December 4, 20177, 2023 will be entitled to receive notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting. As of that date, there were outstanding and entitled to vote 70,426,95855,718,412 shares of our Common Stock,common stock, $.01 par value (the “Common Stock”). Each stockholder is entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held of record on that date and may vote such shares either in personat the Annual Meeting or by proxy. ABeginning 15 minutes prior to, and during, the Annual Meeting, a complete list of theour stockholders of record will be available for viewing by stockholders for any purpose germane to the meeting at thewww.azenta.investorroom.com (2024 Annual Meeting andMaterial). A list of our registered holders as of the close of business on the record date will be made available to stockholders during the 10 days prior to the Annual MeetingMeeting; to access such list of registered holders, email Jason W. Joseph, Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company, at our principal executive offices locatedJason.Joseph@azenta.com. Stockholders submitting any such request will be asked to include the 16-digit control number found on the proxy card, voting instruction card or Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials previously mailed or made available to stockholders entitled to vote at 15 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, Massachusetts 01824.

the Annual Meeting.

Electronic Distribution

This proxy statement, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 20172023 and the proxy card are available at: www.proxyvote.com.

www.proxyvote.com.

Solicitation

The proxy relating to the Annual Meeting is solicited on behalf of our Board of Directors, and we will bear the cost of such solicitation. Our officers and regular employees may solicit proxies by correspondence, telephone or in person, without extra compensation. We may also pay to banks, brokers, nominees, certain other fiduciaries and institutions their reasonable expenses incurred in forwarding proxy materialmaterials to the beneficial owners of the securities held by them and obtaining authority to execute proxies.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement5


The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote, present in personvirtually or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum. “Broker non-votes” are shares held by brokers or nominees that are present in personvirtually or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting, but not voted on a particular matter because (i) instructions have not been received from the beneficial owner and (ii) the brokers do not have discretionary voting authority to vote on such matter or the broker chooses not to vote on a matter for which it does have discretionary voting authority. A broker may not vote on “non-routine” matters without receiving specific voting instructions from the beneficial owner.

If shares are held by a broker, the broker will ask the beneficial owner for instructions to vote the shares. If instructions are provided, the broker must vote the shares as directed. If instructions are not provided, the broker’s ability to vote the shares depends on the proposal. At the Annual Meeting and any and all adjournments or postponements thereof, brokers may submit a vote on the ratification of the appointment of the independent registered accounting firm even if it does not receive instructions from the beneficial owner. For all other proposals, including the election of directors, matters related to executive compensation and the frequency of advisory votes on executive compensation, the broker may not vote unless the broker receives specific instructions from the beneficial owner. We urge each stockholder to provide instructions to itstheir broker so that the stockholder’stheir votes may be counted on these important matters.

For the election of directors, you may either vote “for” a director or “withhold” your vote for such director. An affirmative vote of a plurality of votes properly cast, in personvirtually at the Annual Meeting or by proxy, is required for the election of each of the nominees. Votes that are withheld will not be included in the vote tally for the election of the directors. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the voting outcome with respect to the election of directors.

For the advisory vote to approve executive compensation, you may either vote “for,” “against” or “abstain.” Although this proposal asks for a non-binding, advisory vote, we will consider an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively as approval of Proposal No. 2. We value the opinions expressed by our stockholders in this advisory vote, and our Human Resources and

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Compensation Committee, which is responsible for overseeing and administering our executive compensation programs, will consider the outcome of the vote when designing our executive compensation programs and making future compensation decisions for our named executive officers. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not have any effect on the results of those deliberations.

For the advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation, you may cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of “one year”, “two years”, or “three years” or “abstain” when you vote on this proposal. However, because this vote is advisory and not binding on the Board of Directors or the Company, our Human Resources and Compensation Committee may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold a say-on-pay vote more or less frequently than the option receiving the highest number of votes from our stockholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not have any effect on the results of those deliberations.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement6


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For the proposal to ratify the selection of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 2024 fiscal year, you may either vote “for,” “against” or “abstain.” An affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast affirmatively or negatively is required to approve Proposal No. 4. Abstentions will have no effect on the results of the vote on Proposal No. 4. We do not expect there will be any broker non-votes on this matter as the approval of Proposal No. 4 is considered to be routine and a broker or other nominee is generally empowered to vote on such routine proposals, however, if we do havethere are any broker non-votes they will not affect the voting outcome.

Voting of Proxies

If your shares of Common Stock are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, Inc., you are considered the stockholderofrecord,orrecordholder, of those shares. In that case these proxy materials have been sent directly to you and you have the right with these proxy materials to grant your proxy directly to BrooksAzenta or to vote in personvirtually at the Annual Meeting or by mail, telephone or via the Internet as described below.

If your shares of Common Stock are held in a brokerage account (street name) or by another person on your behalf, you are considered to be the beneficialowner of those shares, and these proxy materials are being forwarded to you by your broker or other nominee together with a voting instruction card, and you are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting.

Proxies Without Voting Instructions

Proxies that are properly submitted and dated but which do not contain voting instructions will be voted for the election of the nominees as directors described in this proxy statement, for the approval of the non-binding vote on executive compensation, for holding an advisory vote on executive compensation each year and for the ratification of the selection of PwC as the Company’s independent registered accounting firm for the 20182024 fiscal year. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, proxies will be voted by the authorized proxies in accordance with their best judgment.

Voting Shares held through Broker by Proxy

If your shares of Common Stock are held by your broker, your broker will vote your shares for you if you provide instructions to your broker on how to vote your shares. You should follow the directions provided by your broker on a voting instruction card regarding how to instruct your broker to vote your shares. In the absence of such instructions, the broker will be able to vote your shares on matters with respect to which it has discretionary voting power. The broker will have discretionary voting power in this case only with respect to the ratification of the selection of PwC as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the 20182024 fiscal year, but not with respect to the election of the 10ten nominees for director, the advisory vote on executive compensation, or the advisory vote on the frequency of holding an advisory vote on executive compensation.

Voting of Shares held through Broker in Person

at the Annual Meeting

If your shares of Common Stock are held by your broker or other nominee and you wish to vote those shares in person at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain from the broker or other nominee holding your shares a properly executed legal proxy, identifying you as a stockholder, authorizing you to act on behalf of the broker or other nominee at the Annual Meeting and specifying the number of shares with respect to which the authorization is granted.

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Other Matters

If you sign and return the enclosed proxy card or vote your shares over the telephone or via the Internet, you grant to the persons named in the proxy the authority to vote in their discretion on any other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting,

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GENERAL INFORMATION
including any adjournment or postponement thereof. Other matters that may be properly brought before the Annual Meeting, unless otherwise provided in our certificate of incorporation or by-laws or by statute, will be approved if they receive a majority of the votes properly cast on the matter. Our management does not presently know of any other matters to be brought before the Annual Meeting.

There are several ways in which you or your representative can vote your shares, as follows:

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Stockholders of record may submit proxies by completing, signing and dating their proxy cards and mailing them in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope. Stockholders who are the beneficial owners of shares held in a brokerage account, or by another person on their behalf, may vote by mail by completing, signing and dating the voting instruction card provided by their broker, trustee or nominee and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope.

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Stockholders of record may submit proxies by telephone until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 30, 2018 by calling 1-800-690-6903.29, 2024 for shares held directly and until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 27, 2024 for shares held in a Plan. The proxy card includes instructions on submitting proxies by telephone. Most stockholders who are the beneficial owners of shares held in a brokerage account, or by another person on their behalf, may vote by telephone by calling the number specified on the voting instruction card provided by their broker, trustee or nominee. Please see the voting instruction card for telephone voting availability.

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Stockholders of record may submit proxies using the Internet until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 30, 201829, 2024 for shares held directly and until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on January 27, 2024 for shares held in a Plan by visiting www.proxyvote.com. The proxy card includes instructions on submitting proxies using the Internet. Most stockholders who are the beneficial owners of shares held in a brokerage account, or by another person on their behalf, may vote using the Internet by following the instructions on the voting instruction card provided by their broker, trustee or nominee. Please see the voting instruction card for Internet voting availability.

Revocation of Proxies

Signing the enclosed proxy card or otherwise submitting one’s proxy will not prevent a record holder from voting in person at the Annual Meeting or otherwise revoking the proxy. A record holder may revoke a proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting in the following ways:

  •filing with our corporate secretary, before the vote at the Annual Meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy;
  •authorizing a later dated proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to us before the vote at the Annual Meeting; or
  •attending the Annual Meeting virtually and voting, although attendance at the meeting will not by itself constitute a revocation of the proxy.

filing with our corporate secretary, before the vote at the Annual Meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy;

authorizing a later dated proxy relating to the same shares and delivering it to us before the vote at the Annual Meeting; or

attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person, although attendance at the meeting will not by itself constitute a revocation of the proxy.

Record holders should send any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy to our corporate secretary at 15 Elizabeth200 Summit Drive, Chelmsford,6th Floor, Burlington, Massachusetts 01824, or hand deliver the notice of revocation or subsequent proxy to our corporate secretary01803 before the vote at the Annual Meeting.

Proxy Materials Available via the Internet

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on January 31, 2018

30, 2024

Pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to our stockholders of record and beneficial owners, which will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the proxy materials on the Internet. The Notice also instructs you as to how you may submit your proxy on the Internet. If you would like to receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, you should followmay request them without charge upon written request addressed to Company Secretary, Azenta, Inc., 200 Summit Drive, 6th Floor, Burlington, Massachusetts 01803, which is the instructions for requesting such materials inmailing address of the Notice.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement8

Company’s principal executive offices.
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The Board of Directors has responsibility for establishing broad corporate policies and reviewing overall performance rather than day-to-day operations. The Board’s primary responsibility is to oversee management and, in so doing, to serve the Company’s and its stockholders’ best interests.interests while also promoting corporate social responsibility. Management keeps the directors informed of our activities through regular written reports and presentations at Board and Committee meetings. The Board has adopted the Corporate Governance PolicyGuidelines that isare publicly available on our website at www.brooks.com.That policy callswww.azenta.com. The guidelines call for, among other things, the maintenance of Board leadership that is separate from the Company’s executive leadership, whether that comes in the form of an independent chairmanchair or an independent lead director. The independent chairmanchair presides over the regularly held executive sessions of the Board, noted below, at which the chief executive officer is not present. Each director is required to stand for election annually.

The Board has assessed each of the 10ten nominees for director against the SEC and the Nasdaq Stock Market standards for independence and determined that Messrs. Allen, Martin, McGillicuddy, Pond,Casal, Hirsch, Madaus and Woollacott, Professor Palepu, Dr. Wrighton,Bousa, Drs. Nova and Rosenblatt, and Mses. Davis, McLaughlin and Zane, nine of the 10 current directors,ten director nominees, meet the general definition of an independent director as defined by the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Board has further determined that all members of the Audit Committee (among others) meet the Nasdaq Stock Market’s stricter definition of independence required for members of an Audit Committee and determined that each member of the Audit Committee qualifies as an Audit Committee Financial Expert.

audit committee financial expert.

The Board of Directors held nineeighteen meetings during the fiscal year ended September 30, 20172023 and took action three times by written consent. Each current director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board of Directors and of committees of which he or she was a member held while he or she was a director during the last fiscal year. In connection with each of the Board’s four regularly scheduled meetings, all non-employee members of the Board met in executive session without the chief executive officer being present.


The Board of Directors encourages stockholders to communicate with our senior management and directly with members of the Board of Directors on matters of concern related to our business and affairs. Stockholders who wish to communicate with members of the Board of Directors may do so by the following means:

  •By telephone: (732) 416-4975
  •
By electronic mail: Directors@azenta.com
  •By first class mail, overnight mail or courier:

By telephone: (978) 262-4400

By electronic mail: Directors@Brooks.com

By first class mail, overnight mail or courier:
BrooksAzenta Board of Directors
Brooks Automation,

Azenta, Inc.
15 Elizabeth
200 Summit Drive,
Chelmsford, 6th Floor
Burlington, MA 01824

01803
  •
By website: https://azenta.investorroom.com/shareholder-feedback

By website: www.brooks.com/company/investors/shareholder-feedback

As a matter of policy, we encourage the directors to attend meetings of stockholders, in person, virtually or by telephone. All of the nominees for election as director, other than Messrs. Hirsch, Madaus and Bousa, were directors at the time of the last stockholder meeting in February 2017,January 2023 and all attended that meeting.

In accordance with our Corporate Governance Policy,Guidelines, members of the Board are encouraged to periodically attend formal continuing education programs for directors, with a recommended frequency of at least once every threetwo years. The Company supportsWe support and encouragesencourage Board members to take advantage of director education opportunities. There are many public company director educational venuesprograms available, and the Company believeswe believe that itsour Board members should keep current on the fast changingfast-changing areas of corporate governance and related regulations. The BrooksAzenta Board members have participated in, and continue to attend, public company director education venuesprograms and many of our Board members hold professional director certifications earned by accumulating from 30 to 150 director education credit hours.

ChairmanChair of the Board

The

Joseph R. Martin, our current chair of the Board, is not standing for re-election as a director at the Annual Meeting, and the Board of Directors has elected Joseph R. MartinFrank E. Casal to serve as chairmanchair of the Board. Under our By-LawsBoard, effective upon and Governance Policy,subject to his election as a director at the chairmanAnnual Meeting. The chair assists the chief executive officer in setting the agenda for meetings of the Board of Directors, presides over executive sessions of the Board and performs such other duties as the Board may assign.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement9

The Board of Directors has also elected Robyn C. Davis to serve as vice chair of the Board, effective upon and subject to her election as a director at the Annual Meeting. The vice chair’s primary role is to perform the responsibilities of the Board chair during his/her absence or disability.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  5

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Board Diversity
The tables below provide information relating to Contentscertain voluntary self-identified characteristics of our current directors and of our director nominees. Each of the categories listed in the table below has the meaning as set forth in Nasdaq Rule 5605(f).
Board Diversity Matrix – Current Directors
As of November 30, 2023
As of November 30, 2022
Total Number of Directors
10
10
Part I: Gender Identity
Female
Male
Non-Binary
Did Not
Disclose
Gender
Female
Male
Non-Binary
Did Not
Disclose
Gender
Directors
5
5
0
0
3
7
0
0
Part II: Demographic Background
African American or Black
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Alaskan Native or Native American
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Asian
0
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
Hispanic or Latinx
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
White
5
4
0
0
5
4
0
0
Two or More Races or Ethnicities
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
LGBTQ+
0
0
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background (with respect to LGBTQ+)
0
​0
Board Diversity Matrix – Director Nominees (As of November 30, 2023)
Total Number of Directors
10
 
Female
Male
Non-Binary
Did Not
Disclose
Gender
Part I: Gender Identify
Directors
4
6
0
0
Part II: Demographic Background
African American or Black
0
0
0
0
Alaskan Native or Native American
0
0
0
0
Asian
0
0
0
0
Hispanic or Latinx
0
0
0
0
White
4
6
0
0
Two or More Races or Ethnicities
0
0
0
0
LGBTQ+
0
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background (with respect to LGBTQ+)
0
Board composition is a critical area of focus for the Board, and the Board seeks representation across a range of attributes, including race, ethnicity, age, and gender. The Board considers diversity in its determination and also takes into account industry knowledge,
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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
executive experience, operational experience, scientific and academic expertise, geography, and personal background. To support, maintain, and expand the diversity of our Board, our Nominating and Governance Committee actively seeks diverse candidates, including women and minority candidates, as part of its search for new directors.
We consider Board refreshment on an ongoing basis at Azenta. Our Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for determining Board membership qualifications and for selecting, evaluating, and recommending to the Board nominees for annual election to the Board and to fill vacancies as they arise. The Nominating and Governance Committee reviews regularly and reports to the Board on the composition and size of the Board, and makes recommendations, as necessary, so that the Board reflects the appropriate balance of knowledge, experience, skills, expertise, and diversity advisable for the Board as a whole.
As part of our ongoing transformation and Board refreshment, we are nominating three new directors to our Board, Didier Hirsch, Martin Madaus and Edward Bousa. Mr. Martin, Professor Palepu and Ms. Puhy will not be standing for re-election.
Committees of the Board

The Board currently has the following standing committees: an Audit Committee, an Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Committee, an Executive Committee, a Finance Committee, a Human Resources and Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Governance Committee. The following table sets out the Board Committeescommittees on which each member of the Board now serves, identifying as well the chair of each committee.

committee as well. Composition of the Board committees is expected to change following the Annual Meeting, as discussed under each committee following the table below.

Name of Director

Audit

Executive

Finance

HR &

Compensation

Nominating &

Governance

Non-Employee Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

A. Clinton Allen

 

 

Chair

 

Member

Robyn C. Davis

 

 

Member

Member

 

Joseph R. Martin(1)

 

Chair

 

 

Member

John K. McGillicuddy

Co-Chair

Member

 

 

Member

Krishna G. Palepu

 

Member

Member

 

Chair

Kirk P. Pond

 

 

Member

Member

 

Alfred Woollacott, III

Co-Chair

 

Member

 

 

Mark S. Wrighton

Member

 

Member

 

 

Ellen Zane

 

Member

 

Chair

Member

Employee Director:

 

 

 

 

 

Stephen S. Schwartz

 

Member

 

 

 

NUMBER OF MEETINGS IN FISCAL 2017

5

7

5

5

4

(1)

Chairman of the Board

Name of Director
Audit
ESG
Executive
Finance
HR &
Compensation
Nominating &
Governance
Non-Employee Directors:
Frank E. Casal(1)
graphic
graphic
Robyn C. Davis
graphic
graphic
Joseph R. Martin(2)
graphic
graphic
Erica J. McLaughlin
graphic
graphic
Tina S. Nova
graphic
Krishna G. Palepu(3)
graphic
graphic
graphic
Dorothy E. Puhy(4)
graphic
Michael Rosenblatt
graphic
graphic
Ellen M. Zane
graphic
graphic
graphic
Employee Director:
Stephen S. Schwartz
graphic
graphic
NUMBER OF MEETINGS IN FISCAL 2023
9
4
14
5
5
21
(1)
Chair of the Board, effective upon election at the Annual Meeting
(2)
Chair of the Board. Mr. Martin is not standing for re-election as a director at the Annual Meeting.
(3)
Professor Palepu is not standing for re-election as a director at the Annual Meeting.
(4)
Ms. Puhy is not standing for re-election as a director at the Annual Meeting.
graphic
Current Chair
graphic
Current Member

Under the provisions of the Audit Committee charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for the qualifications, independence, appointment, retention, compensation and evaluation of our independent registered public accounting firm, and for assisting the Board of Directors in monitoring our financial reporting process, accounting functions, and internal control over financial reporting.reporting and for overseeing the process by which we and the Board of Directors conduct the ongoing assessment and management of the risks we face. It also is responsible for administering our Standards of Conduct and the oversight of “whistle-blowing” procedures, and certain other compliance matters.

A copy of the charter of the Audit Committee is publicly available on our website at www.brooks.com.www.azenta.com. Under its charter, the Audit Committee must consist of not less than three directors, each of whom meets the stricter definition of independence for members of the
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Audit Committee under rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. On August 1, 2017, Mr. Woollacott was apointed as Co-Chair of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee currently is composed of Messrs. McGillicuddy (Co-Chair)Mr. Casal (Chair), Mses. McLaughlin and Woollacott (Co-Chair),Puhy, and Dr. Wrighton, eachNova. Upon the election of whom willdirectors at the Annual Meeting, we expect Mr. Hirsch to become the Chair of the Committee, Mr. Casal and Ms. McLaughlin to remain on the Committee during fiscal 2018, if reelected byand Mr. Bousa to become a member of the stockholders.Committee. The Board of Directors has reviewed the qualifications of each member of the Committee and has determined that each of them meets that stricter definition of independence applicable to audit committee members and that Messrs. Hirsch, Casal and Bousa and Ms. McLaughlin each qualifiesqualify as an “audit committee financial expert” as the SEC defineddefines that term in Item 407 of Regulation S-K.

The Audit Committee met on fivenine occasions during fiscal year 20172023 and took no action by written consent. Please also see the report of the Audit Committee set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement.

The purpose of the Executive Committee is to: (i) permit action on behalf of the Board of Directors between meetings, particularly in those circumstances for which a timely response is required and full Board participation is not reasonably feasible; and (ii) assess, review with management, and provide recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning our strategic planning process and the implementation of our strategic plans; and (iii) lead the process by which we and the Board of Directors conduct the ongoing assessment and management of the business risks we face.plans. The Executive Committee may exercise the full powers of the Board when, in their reasoned judgment, the best interest of the Company requires prompt action incompatible with full Board participation, excepting those matters legally requiring the approval of the full Board. Whenever possible, the Executive Committee expects to seek prior full Board approval of limits within which it will exercise its discretion. The charter of the Executive Committee is publicly available on our website at www.brooks.com.www.azenta.com. The Executive Committee has also been given the responsibility to act for the Board in providing guidance to management concerning the Company’s strategic planning and implementation, as well as taking the lead for the

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Board in ensuring that the Company implements and employs the processes necessary to understand, address and manage the Company’s business and enterprise risks.implementation. The Executive Committee is currently comprised of Messrs.Mr. Martin (Chair) and McGillicuddy,, Professor Palepu, Ms. Zane and Dr. Schwartz, eachSchwartz. Upon the election of whomdirectors at the Annual Meeting, we expect that the Executive Committee will remain oncease to be a standing committee of the Committee during fiscal 2018, if reelected by the stockholders. Board.

The Executive Committee met on sevenfourteen occasions during fiscal year 20172023 and took no action by written consent.

The purpose of the Finance Committee is to assess and provide recommendations to the Board of Directors on the Company’s capital structure, including financial strategies, policies, practices and transactions.transactions, including the Company’s annual operating plan (AOP). Among other things, the Finance Committee recommends how to employ the Company’s cash resources in the best interests of stockholders and assistassists the management and the Board in the consideration and review of possible strategic transactions. Its purposes doesdo not include the evaluation of financial performance and controls delegated under the charter of the Audit Committee, nor does it preclude direct action by the Board on any issue if the Board so chooses. The charter of the Finance Committee is publicly available on our website at www.brooks.com.www.azenta.com. The Finance Committee is currently comprised of Messrs. AllenMs. Davis (Chair), PondMr. Casal and Woollacott,Professor Palepu. Upon the election of directors at the Annual Meeting, we expect Dr. Nova to become the Chair of the Committee, Ms. Davis Professor Palepu and Dr. Wrighton, eachto remain a member of whom will remain on the Committee during fiscal 2018, if reelected byand Mr. Hirsch to become a member of the stockholders, andCommittee, each of whom meets the definition of an independent director.

The Finance Committee met on five timesoccasions during fiscal year 20172023 and took two actionsno action by written consent.

Human Resources and Compensation Committee

The Human Resources and Compensation Committee has overall responsibility for our executive compensation philosophy, evaluates and approves executive compensation including cash bonuses to be issued pursuant to the Company’s Executive Performance-Based Variable Compensation Plan, assists the Board in the discharge of its responsibilities with respect to executive compensation and develops the leadership capabilities of our executives. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee is responsible for the annual compilation of the Chief Executive Officer’schief executive officer’s strategic performance objectives and manages his/her annual performance assessment and feedback. Additionally, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee is responsible for planning the succession process for the Chief Executive Officerchief executive officer and the executive staff. It also has been delegated the authority to supervise the administration of our stock plans, and it is required to review and approve the incorporation of our compensation discussionCompensation Discussion and analysis reportAnalysis in this proxy statement in accordance

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with SEC rules. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee also approvesreviews all grants to employees under our stock plans and recommends the ratificationapproval of those grants by the full Board of Directors. Actual grants under those plans must be approved by the full Board as well as the Committee as set forth in the Governance Policy. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee is authorized to retain independent advisors to assist it in fulfilling its responsibilities. Under its charter and the requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee must consist of at least three directors, each of whom satisfies certain requirements of the securities and other laws and satisfies the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The charter of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee is publicly available on our website at www.brooks.com.www.azenta.com. The Human Resources and Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Ms. Zane (Chair), Mr. PondDr. Rosenblatt and Ms. Davis. Upon the election of directors at the Annual Meeting, we expect Ms. Davis eachto become the Chair of whom will remain on the Committee, during fiscal 2018, if reelected byMs. Zane and Dr. Rosenblatt to remain members of the stockholders.Committee and Mr. Madaus to become a member of the Committee. Each of these Human Resources and Compensation Committee members meets the definition of an independent director and the other requirements for membership.

The Human Resources and Compensation Committee met on five occasions during fiscal year 20172023 and took noone action by written consent.

Please see also the report of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee set forth elsewhere in this proxy statement.

None of the members of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee is or was formerly an officer or employee of the Company, and no executive officer serves on the board of directors of any company at which any of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee members is employed.

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The purpose of the Nominating and Governance Committee is to: (i) identify, review and evaluate candidates to serve as directors; (ii) serve as a focal point for communication between such candidates, the Board of Directors and our management; (iii) make recommendations to the full Board with respect to Board candidates to be elected by the stockholders or appointed by the Board; (iv) evaluate and make recommendations to the Board on a set of corporate governance and ethics principles; (v) periodically review and evaluate our governance and ethics policies and guidelines; (vi) evaluate and make recommendations to the Board concerning the structure, responsibilities and operation of the Committees of the Board; (vii) make recommendations to the Board concerning Board meeting policies; and (viii) make recommendations to the Board concerning the compensation of members of the Board and any Committees of the Board.

Under its charter, as supplemented by the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, the Nominating and Governance Committee must consist of not less than three members, each of whom satisfies the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Stock Market. A copy of the charter of the Nominating and Governance Committee is publicly available on our website at www.brooks.comwww.azenta.com. The current members of the Nominating and Governance Committee are Professor Palepu (Chair), Messrs. Allen,Mr. Martin and McGillicuddy andMs. Zane. Upon the election of directors at the Annual Meeting, we expect Ms. McLaughlin to become the Chair of the Committee, Ms. Zane eachto remain a member of whom will remain on the Committee during fiscal 2018, if reelected byand Mr. Casal and Mr. Madaus to become members of the stockholders, andCommittee, each of whom meets the definition of an independent director.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for identifying candidates to serve as directors, whether such directorships are filled by the Board or by stockholders. The Nominating and Governance Committee may consider nominees recommended by stockholders and other sources, such as directors, third-party search firms or other appropriate sources. Board composition is a critical area of focus for the Board, and the Board seeks representation across a range of attributes, including race, ethnicity, age, and gender. The Board considers diversity in its determinations and also takes into account industry knowledge, operational experience, scientific and academic expertise, geography, and personal background. To support, maintain and expand the diversity of our Board, our Nominating and Governance Committee actively seeks diverse candidates, including women and minority candidates, as part of its search for new directors. In evaluating candidates the Nominating and Governance Committee seeks the strength that is derived from a variety of experiences among board members, embracing the criteria and qualifications set forth in the Nominating and Governance Committee’s charter, which include personal integrity, sound business judgment, business and professional skills and experience, independence (as defined under SEC and Nasdaq rules), potential conflicts of interest, proven leadership and management experience as chief executive officer or chairmanchair of a public company or other large, complex organization, diversity, expertise resulting from significant academic or research activities, and experience on one or more boards of significant public, private, or non-profit organizations, the extent to which a candidate would fill a present need, and concern for the long-term interests of stockholders. In any particular situation, the Nominating and Governance Committee may focus on persons possessing a particular background, experience or qualifications, which the Committee believes would be important to enhance the effectiveness of the Board. It is the practice of the Nominating and Governance Committee in nominating and evaluating candidates for the Board to take into account their ability to contribute to the experience represented on the Board. The evaluation process for stockholder recommendations is the same as for candidates from any other source. If stockholders wish to recommend a candidate for director for election at the 20192024 annual meeting of stockholders, they must follow the procedures described in “Other Matters-Stockholder Proposals and Recommendations For Director.”

The Nominating and Governance Committee also initiates and administers the Board’s annual self-evaluation and performance review process. This annual process is initiated by each Board member being sent a written questionnaire dealing with a variety of elements of
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the governance process, including the Board’s structure, its effectiveness in carrying out key responsibilities, the quality and efficiency of the meeting processes of the Board and its Committees, the responsibilities and effectiveness of the Board’s Committees, and, more generally, Board members’ overall analysis and comments concerning the effectiveness of the Board, its processes and the quality of its deliberations. After these questionnaires are completed and returned, the chairmanchair of the Nominating and Governance Committee conducts individual interviews with each Board member in order to understand fully the perceptions and analysis of each director. The chairmanchair then presents the information that has been collected through these processes to the Nominating and Governance Committee and then, following that discussion, presents observations and recommendations to the full Board for discussion and such action as the Board determines to be appropriate. The Board views these activities as part of its overall process of on-goingongoing self-evaluation and continuous improvement.

The Nominating and Governance Committee met four timeson twenty-one occasions during fiscal year 20172023 and took noone action by written consent.

Board Risk Oversight

Management is responsible for the day-to-day management of risks the Company faces, while the Board of Directors, as a whole and through its committees,Committees, has the ultimate responsibility for the oversight of risk management. The Board has delegated to the ExecutiveAudit Committee responsibility to ensure that the Board and management implement and regularly employ the processes necessary to understand, address and manage the Company’s business risks. The Executive Committee is authorized to delegate this responsibilityrisks, including delegation to other Committees of the Board with respect to specific areas of business risk where the ExecutiveAudit Committee deems this to be appropriate. Each year,Periodically, working initially through the Audit Committee, management and the Board jointly develop and/or review a list of important risks that the Company prioritizes. These are reviewed during the year by management and by the Board and the committees to whichapplicable Committees of the Executive Committee has delegated specific areasBoard. The Board of responsibility.

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Directors also specifically engages in cybersecurity risk oversight through detailed annual reports, as well as periodic updates from the Company’s chief information officer.

The Board’s risk oversight processes build upon management’s regular risk assessment and mitigation processes, which include standardized reviews conducted with members of management across and throughout the Company in areas such as financial and management controls, strategic and operational planning, regulatory compliance, environmental compliance and health and safety processes. The results of these reviews are then discussed and analyzed at the most senior level of management, which assesses both the level of risk posed in these areas and the likelihood of their occurrence, coupled with planning for the mitigation of such risks and occurrences.

Following this senior management level assessment, the ExecutiveAudit Committee is then tasked to drivecoordinate the risk assessment process at the Board level and to ensure that mitigation and corrective actions are being taken where appropriate.

Board Leadership Structure

The Company’s Corporate Governance Policy,Guidelines, as set out on the Company’s corporate web site under “Investors”“About Us” and “Corporate Governance”“Investor Relations” and “Governance”, provides that there will always be independent leadership of the Board. In accordance with the Policy, the Board may select the chief executive officer to also serve as Board chairman,chair, but its current practice is to have an independent director serve as chairman.chair. The PolicyCorporate Governance Guidelines also makesmake clear that in the event that the same person serves as chief executive officer and chairman,chair, the Board shall select a lead independent director who shall be responsible for chairing meetings of the independent directors in addition to any other responsibilities designated by the Board. Under this separation of responsibilities, an independent director will always be in a position of Board leadership.

The chairman is responsible for collaborating with the chief executive officer in setting Board agendas.

The Company’s Corporate Governance PolicyGuidelines also providesprovide that “Thethe independent directors of the board shall meet in executive session (separate from any inside directors) on a regular basis, at least as frequently as may be required by applicable Nasdaq or SEC rule or regulation. It has been the consistent practice of the chairmanchair to conduct such meetings of independent directors at each in-person meeting of the Board of Directors.

In addition, under the Corporate Governance Policy,Guidelines, the chairmanchair (with the assistance of the Company Secretary) shall “(1) beis primarily responsible for (i) monitoring communications from stockholders and (2) provide(ii) providing copies or summaries of such communications to the other directors as he or she considers appropriate.

Brooks’

We believe that the separation of the roles of chief executive officer and chairmanchair of the Board of Directors continues to offer benefits including the following:

  •the independent oversight of the Company is enhanced;
  •the objectivity of the Board’s evaluation of the chief executive officer is increased;
  •having a non-executive chair provides an independent spokesman for the Company;
  •the chief executive officer has the benefit of a fully independent and experienced board; and
  •the Board can provide a fully independent and objective assessment of risk.

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Our Approach to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG)
The foundation of Azenta’s ESG strategy lies in our purpose to “enable life sciences companies to bring impactful breakthrough therapies to market faster.” Our dedication to this purpose is reinforced by our consistent and steady commitment to being a responsible corporate citizen, remaining in the forefront of many programs for product responsibility, regulatory compliance, employee development, and support for education and our local communities. Over the past few years we have focused our attention on developing a more integrated ESG program, committed to focusing on ESG issues that align with our core values and are most important to the Company and our stakeholders.
ESG Oversight and Governance
Azenta’s ESG program is governed at the highest levels with both Board and executive management oversight. The ESG Committee of the Board performs an oversight role in shaping ESG strategy, discharging oversight responsibility related to ESG matters such as climate change impacts, energy and natural resources conservation, environmental and supply chain sustainability, human rights, employee health, safety and well-being, diversity, equity and inclusion, ethics, cybersecurity, and data privacy, community engagement, public policy engagement, political contribution, and corporate charitable and philanthropic activities and other ESG issues that are relevant and material to the Company.
The ESG program is further guided by our a cross-functional Executive ESG Steering Committee, which is responsible for setting general strategy related to our ESG matters, developing, implementing, and monitoring ESG initiatives and policies. The Steering Committee includes subject matter experts from various parts of the Company, is enhanced;

including legal, human resources, finance, and operations. The Steering Committee oversees three pillars – Environmental Protection, Social Impact, and Responsible Operations – which serve as the objectivityESG focus areas for the Company. To bring sustained focus to these initiatives and manage them at the business functional level, we have a dedicated working committee for each of the Board’s evaluationthree pillars, each of which meets regularly to address a wide variety of topics.

Azenta’s Strategic ESG Priorities
Our ESG framework currently includes three strategic pillars Environmental Protection, Social Impact, and Responsible Operations at Azenta. Each pillar is supported by a working committee and, together with the chief executive officer is increased;

having a non-executive chairman provides an independent spokesman for the Company;

the chief executive officer has the benefitoversight of a fully independentour Executive Leadership and experienced board; and

the Board, can provide a fully independentframework for our Board and objective assessmentcommittees to effectively govern our ESG risks and create long-term value for our shareholders, employees, customers, and other stakeholders.

graphic
Under each pillar are several strategic priority areas that reflect our core principles and help guide how we operate. We are committed to upholding these principles, as embodied in our policies and corporate governance structures. With such a broad scope, our leaders are responsible for various priorities under each pillar, and teams are responsible for driving these key ESG initiatives, as described below.
Environmental Protection
  •Combating climate change is integral to Azenta’s business strategy, and we are committed to continuing to reduce our energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in our operations as well as in the impact of our products and services. We believe renewable energy offers a significant opportunity to reduce our carbon footprint, and we have taken action at two of our largest operations in Indianapolis and Manchester, U.K. to source electricity from renewable sources.
  •As climate risk and resilience are of growing concern to our stakeholders, we rely on climate science to establish best practices for reducing emissions, aiming to mitigate the most severe consequences of climate change. As we progress along our ESG journey, we expect to take steps towards decarbonization to meet the requirements of our customers, employees, and the communities in which we operate. By fostering collaborations and forming partnerships with both suppliers and customers, we aim to collectively drive meaningful change towards a healthier planet.
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  •We pride ourselves on fostering an environment of innovation to challenge the status quo, and through our research and development (R&D) programs we are focused on the innovative design of green refrigeration, in order to minimize our impact to the environment.
Social Impact
  •Our Diversity Statement outlines our commitment to advance our impact through diversity. To ensure that our work benefits from a broad range of viewpoints and perspectives, we welcome and value diversity. Our growing global reach gives us the opportunity to bring to our business an even richer diversity of experiences and capabilities. We strive to maintain workplaces that are free from discrimination or harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, military service, sexual orientation, genetic information, or gender identity.
  •We have worked to foster inclusivity and engagement at Azenta by forming two Employee Resource Groups (ERG), for employees focusing on Veterans and Women at Azenta. Our GOVETS group is a proud community of employee veterans and allies who support and encourage each other through shared experiences, veteran recruitment, career development, outward engagement, professional growth, and retention. Our Women’s EDGE group enables women to grow, connect, and belong at Azenta.
  •We value transparent communication and feedback from our colleagues at Azenta, which we track and quantify through our annual Employee Engagement Survey. Our engagement survey process is not only about understanding engagement but is also focused on action, with the survey designed to provide actionable insights to managers.
  •We continued to expand our organization by hiring talented individuals from around the world to meet the demands of our growing business, placing focus on diverse talent that reflects the communities in which we serve. We are committed to providing market competitive compensation programs to attract, retain and motivate a high-performing workforce critical to the long-term success of Azenta.
  •We provide our employees with workforce educational learning and development opportunities through our online learning platform.
  •We are focused on creating an environment where our employees feel supported through our inclusion and diversity initiatives, training and development programs, and equitable compensation practices to attract and retain high-quality talent.
  •We have developed a culture where achievement and merit are recognized and celebrated, both in team and individual circumstances.
  •We encourage our employees to donate their time and talents to the causes and organizations that matter most to them. We are committed to making a positive impact on society, particularly in the regions where we are located and serve customers. We are dedicated to giving back and collaborating with the communities in which we operate, focusing on programs that support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education.
Responsible Operations
  •Our success rests on maintaining high-quality and reliable products and services for our customers, providing a full suite of reliable cold-chain sample management solutions and genomic services across areas such as drug development, clinical research, and advanced cell therapies for the industry's top pharmaceutical, biotech, academic and healthcare institutions globally.
  •By conducting our business and relationships with integrity, we are committed to protecting our customers and providing them with the highest-quality products and solutions.
  •We have built a culture of safety that emphasizes safe operations, procedures, and behaviors, and have equipped our employees to recognize and execute their responsibilities for safety through regular training events.
  •Our customer-focused culture encourages employees to embrace innovation with novel thinking and collaborative work relationships. We are committed to maintaining close partnerships with our customers, working together with a personalized approach, leading to increased customer engagement.
  •We are committed to conducting our business in an ethical and responsible manner that respects human rights, and we work to identify and do business with partners who aspire to conduct their business in a similar manner. We manage our manufacturing and distribution operations with a focus on minimizing adverse impacts on the environment; creating a healthy and safe workplace; maintaining fair and reasonable labor practices, and ensuring the integrity of materials supplied to Azenta. We expect our suppliers to conduct their operations in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, and we work collaboratively with our suppliers to encourage this conduct.
  •We are committed to protecting the privacy of our customers and employees by ensuring Azenta utilizes industry standards and best practices to lead the security program and policies, while also providing awareness training for all employees on cybersecurity topics.
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  •To further integrate ESG throughout the organization, our Human Resources and Compensation Committee included ESG goals in our executive management’s performance goals as a part of our short-term Performance-Based Variable Compensation Plan.
  •Active shareholder engagement throughout the year is essential to maintaining good corporate governance. We have a formal system for stakeholder engagement for the purpose of engaging with and understanding the views of our key stakeholders on many topics, including important ESG topics. We value the views and insights of our stakeholders and believe that ongoing and proactive engagement makes Azenta stronger and better prepared for the future.
For more information on our ESG initiatives and to read our latest annual ESG Report, please visit the “Environmental, Social, and Governance” section of risk.

our website (at https://investors.azenta.com/esg).

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The following table sets forth information as of November 30, 2017December 7, 2023 with respect to the beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by each current director, andeach director nominee that is not a current director, each executive officer named below in the Summary Compensation Table under “Compensation Tables for Named Executive Officers-Summary Compensation Table”, who we refer (referred to as the “named executive officers”), all current executive officers and current directors as a group, and each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of theour Common Stock. Except as indicated below, this information is based upon information received from, on behalf of or filed with the SEC by the named individuals.

security holders.

Name

Shares of Common

Stock Beneficially

Owned(1)

Percentage of

Class

Named Executive Officers and Current Directors:

 

 

Stephen S. Schwartz

460,247

*

Lindon G. Robertson

94,587

*

Maurice H. Tenney III

92,826

*

David E. Jarzynka

46,780

*

David C. Gray

51,490

*

A. Clinton Allen(2)

98,870

*

Robyn C. Davis(3)

25,956

*

Joseph R. Martin

80,319

*

John K. McGillicuddy(4)

83,600

*

Krishna G. Palepu

87,678

*

Kirk P. Pond(5)

88,568

*

Alfred Woollacott, III

81,493

*

Mark S. Wrighton

99,157

*

Ellen M. Zane

42,185

*

All directors and current executive officers as a group (17 persons)(2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

1,663,776

2.36%

Five Percent Owners:

 

 

The Vanguard Group, Inc., 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355(7)

8,024,708

11.39%

BlackRock, Inc., 40 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022(87)

7,818,359

11.10%

Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, Palisades West, Building One 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin,
Texas 78746(9)

5,813,629

8.25%

Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC, 2200 Ross Avenue, 31st Floor, Dallas,
Texas 75201-2761(10)

5,546,232

7.87%

*

Less than one percent.

(1)

To our knowledge, the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable and except as indicated in the other footnotes to this table. In addition, shares indicated as beneficially owned by officers and directors include restricted stock over which the officer or director has voting power but no investment power and any restricted stock units which would vest within 60 days of November 30, 2017.

(2)

Includes 18,700 shares held by a relative of Mr. Allen, over which he has no voting rights, as well as 7,822 shares issued as restricted stock units that have been deferred until separation from his service as a Brooks director.

(3)

Includes 22,387 shares issued to Ms. Davis issued as restricted stock units that have been deferred until separation from her service as a Brooks director.

(4)

Includes 74,100 shares issued to Mr. McGillicuddy issued as restricted stock units that have been deferred until separation from his service as a Brooks director.

(5)

Includes 39,423 shares issued to Mr. Pond issued as restricted stock units that have been deferred until separation from his service as a Brooks director.

(6)

Includes 200,921 shares held in the aggregate by executive officers other than the Named Executive Officers.

(7)

Based upon the most recent amendment to Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group, Inc. with the SEC on March 10, 2017, as of February 28, 2017, the Vanguard Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries had sole voting power over 81,719 shares, shared voting power over 14,045 shares, sole dispositive power over 7,932,445 shares, and shared dispositive power over 92,263 shares.

(8)

Based upon the most recent amendment to Schedule 13G filed by BlackRock, Inc. with the SEC on January 12, 2017, as of December 31, 2016, BlackRock, Inc. and the subsidiaries listed therein had sole voting power over 7,663,223 shares and sole dispositive power over 7,818,359 shares.

(9)

Based upon the most recent amendment to Schedule 13G filed by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP with the SEC on February 9, 2017, as of December 31, 2016, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP had sole voting power over 5,632,601 shares and sole dispositive power over 5,813,629 shares.

(10)

Based upon the most recent Schedule 13G filed by Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC with the SEC on February 9, 2017, as of December 31, 2016, Barrow, Hanley, Mewhinney & Strauss, LLC had sole voting power over 3,255,072 shares, shared voting power over 2,291,160 shares and sole dispositive power over 5,546,232 shares.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement14

Name
Shares of Common
Stock Beneficially
Owned(1)
Percentage of
Class(2)
Named Executive Officers and Current Directors and Director Nominees:
Stephen S. Schwartz
406,520
*
Lindon G. Robertson
115,938
*
David C. Gray
54,973
*
Jason W. Joseph
97,899
*
Robin Vacha
23,281
*
Frank E. Casal
5,789
*
Robyn C. Davis(3)
49,128
*
Joseph R. Martin
85,175
*
Erica J. McLaughlin
10,350
*
Tina S. Nova
3,604
*
Krishna G. Palepu
105,393
*
Dorothy E. Puhy
3,604
*
Michael Rosenblatt
10,577
*
Ellen M. Zane
41,134
*
Edward Bousa
Didier Hirsch
Martin Madaus
All current directors and current executive officers as a group (19 persons)(3)(4)
​1,022,821
1.77%
Five Percent Owners:
BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10055(5)
7,215,416
12.95%
The Vanguard Group, Inc., 100 Vanguard Boulevard, Malvern, PA 19355(6)
7,194,160
12.91%
Politan Capital Management LP, 106 East 56th Street, 10th Floor, New York, NY 10019(7)
4,578,003
8.22%
Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC, 1800 Avenue of the Stars, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067(8)
4,437,157
7.96%
*
Less than one percent.
(1)
To our knowledge, the persons named in this table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable and except as indicated in the other footnotes to this table. In addition, shares indicated as beneficially owned by officers and directors include restricted stock over which the officer or director has voting power but no investment power and any restricted stock units which would vest within 60 days of December 7, 2023.
(2)
As of December 7, 2023 there were 55,718,412 shares of our Common Stock outstanding.
(3)
Includes 22,006 shares issued to Ms. Davis issued as restricted stock units that have been deferred until separation from her service as an Azenta director.
(4)
Includes 9,456 shares held in the aggregate by executive officers other than the named executive officers.
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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
(5)
Based upon the most recent amendment to Schedule 13G filed by BlackRock, Inc. with the SEC on January 6, 2023, as of December 31, 2022, BlackRock, Inc. and the subsidiaries listed therein had sole voting power over 6,506,563 shares and sole dispositive power over 6,739,712 shares.
(6)
Based upon the most recent amendment to Schedule 13G filed by The Vanguard Group, Inc. with the SEC on January 10,2023, as of December 30, 2022, The Vanguard Group, Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries had sole voting power of 0 shares, shared voting power over 26,444 shares, sole dispositive power over 7,094,652 shares, and shared dispositive power over 99,508 shares.
(7)
Includes shares held by Politan Capital Management LP (“Politan LP”); Politan Capital Management GP LLC (“Politan Management”); Politan Capital Partners GP LLC (“Politan GP”); and Quentin Koffey (together with Politan LP, Politan Management and Politan GP, “Politan”). Politan filed a Schedule 13D/A on November 15, 2023, reporting that it had shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 4,578,003 shares. Politan’s address is c/o Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, 919 Third Avenue, Suite 2300, New York, New York 10022.
(8)
Based upon the most recent Schedule 13G filed by Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC with the SEC on February 14, 2023, as of December 31, 2022, Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC and certain of its subsidiaries had sole voting power over 2,171,752 shares, shared voting power over 1,849,918 shares, sole dispositive power over 2,587,239 shares, and shared dispositive power over 1,849,918 shares.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  15

PROPOSAL NO. 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

At the 2018 Annual Meeting, 10ten directors are to be elected to serve until the 20192025 annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. The nominees for election at the 2018 Annual Meeting are listed on the following pages with brief biographies. TheyAll of the nominees are all currently Brooks directors.

Azenta directors, except for Edward Bousa, Didier Hirsch and Martin Madaus. Each of Mr. Martin, Professor Palepu, and Ms. Puhy is not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting.

All of the nominees are willing to serve as directors but, if any of them should decline or be unable to serve or for good cause will not serve as a director, the individuals designated in the proxy cards as proxies will exercise the discretionary authority provided to vote for the election of such substitute nominee selected by our Board of Directors, unless the Board alternatively acts to reduce the size of the Board or maintain a vacancy on the Board.
Director Qualifications

In its Corporate Governance PolicyGuidelines and in the charter of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Board has set out both broadly and in specific terms, the qualifications sought when considering non-employee director candidates. At the highest level, as set out in the Board’s Corporate Governance Policy,Guidelines, these include a high degree of business experience, the consistent exercise of the highest ethical standards, and a continuing commitment to the best practices of corporate governance. The Board and the Nominating and Governance Committee also assess a candidate’s independence as defined under SEC and Nasdaq rules.rules and other applicable standards. The emphasis throughout the process of identifying, nominating and evaluating candidates for the Board and members of the Board following their election is to produce a group of directors that function effectively as a leadership team. It is considered important not only to bring together directors with a variety of skills and experiences in diverse areas, but also to ensure that those directors function well together. Within this framework, the charter of the Nominating and Governance Committee includes specific criteria as essential in helping to ensure that the Board possesses the strength that is derived from having a variety of appropriate skills and experience. Those criteria are: proven leadership and management experience as a chief executive officer or chairmanchair of a public company or other large, complex organization; financial expertise; experience in technology, manufacturing or marketing; international background; diversity; expertise resulting from significant academic or research activities; and experience on one or more boards of significant public, private or non-profit organizations. It is the practice of the Nominating and Governance Committee and the Board in nominating and evaluating candidates for the Board to take into account the overall experience represented on the Board, all as part of the process of endeavoring to ensure that the Board functions at all times as an effective team. The Nominating and Governance Committee and the full Board review their effectiveness in balancing these considerations when assessing the composition of the Board.

Board Diversity and Refreshment
While theour Board has not adopted a formal policy concerning diversity, it does believe, as noted above, that it must take advantage of the strength derived from having a varietydiverse set of skills, experience and unique individual backgrounds represented among its members. If all of the nominees are elected, 40% of the Board will be women. We believe the continual refreshment of new Board members is an important element of our overall governance and if all of the nominees are elected at the Annual Meeting, six of our directors will have joined the Board since 2020. The BrooksAzenta Board is also composed of a diverse group of leaders in their respective fields. Many of the current directors have leadership experience at major domestic and international companies and/or organizations with operations inside and outside the United States, as well as experience on other companies’ boards, which provides an understanding of different business processes, challenges and strategies. In some cases, they have occupied chief executive officer and other leadership roles in internationally focused companies or institutions in the markets that BrooksAzenta serves or related markets. Other directors have experience as professors and leaders at internationally recognized academic institutions
An affirmative vote of a plurality of votes properly cast, virtually or as accounting professionals operating atby proxy, is required for the highest levelelection of each of the independent accounting profession, eachnominees. Votes that are withheld will not be included in the vote tally for the election of whom brings unique perspectivesthe directors. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the voting outcome with respect to the Board.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement15

election of directors.
Our Board of Directors Recommends a Vote “FOR” Each Nominee for Director
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Following is certain information with respect to the 10ten nominees, in each case setting forth the particular experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of each director nominee that led the Board to conclude that such person should serve as a director of Brooks. 

Azenta.
Current Directors Standing for Re-election

Our Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Each Nominee for Director

A. Clinton Allen

Age 73
Director Since October 2003

NomineeInformation

Mr. Allen is chairman and chief executive officer of A.C. Allen & Company, an investment banking consulting firm, and principal of the American College of Corporate Directors, an organization that provides educational and other services to public company directors, chief executive officers and corporate counsel. From 1989 to 2002, Mr. Allen served as vice chairman of the board of Psychemedics Corporation, a biotechnology company with a proprietary drug testing product, and as chairman of the board of Psychemedics from 2002 to 2003. Mr. Allen rejoined the board of Psychemedics in 2015. Mr. Allen is currently the non-executive chairman and a director of Collectors Universe, Inc., a third-party authentication and grading service for high-value collectibles. He also serves as lead director of LKQ Corporation, a supplier of recycled OEM automotive parts. Mr. Allen holds an Executive Master Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors.

Qualifications

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Allen should continue to serve as a director of the Company because of his broad-based investment banking and financial market expertise, which enables him to provide the Company and the Board with valuable insights in both merger and acquisition analysis and in the approach to capital markets generally, as well as his leadership experience serving as chairman and director for diverse publicly traded companies.

Robyn C. Davis

Age 56
Director Since June 2013

NomineeInformation

Ms. Davis has been managing director of AngelHealthcare Investors, LLC, an early-stage private equity investment group focused on medical devices, life sciences and specialty pharmaceutical companies, since 2000. Prior to AngelHealthcare, Ms. Davis was a director of the merchant banking services practices for Barents Group, LLC, and a strategy consultant at Bain & Company. Ms. Davis currently serves as a director of SC Repco, Inc., a privately-held company that represents the interests of the former shareholders of Smart Cells, Inc., which was acquired by Merck & Co. in 2010. Ms. Davis also serves as a director of two early-stage, privately-held healthcare companies, Akston Bioscience Corporation and CRA Health, LLC. Ms. Davis holds an Executive Masters Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors.

Qualifications

The Board of Directors has concluded that Ms. Davis should continue to serve as a director of the Company because of her extensive business experience, particularly with early stage life sciences companies, and her banking and finance expertise.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement16


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Joseph R. Martin

Age 70
Director Since June 2001

NomineeInformation

Mr. Martin has been chairman of the Board since May 2006. Mr. Martin served as executive vice president and chief financial officer, and later senior executive vice president, and then as member of Office of the Chairman of Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc., a supplier of power semiconductors, from June 1996 to May 2004. He served as the vice chairman of Fairchild’s board of directors from 2003 until his retirement in June 2005. Mr. Martin is a member of the board of directors of Collectors Universe, Inc., a publicly traded company that provides third-party authentication and grading service for high-value collectibles, and of Sanken North America, Inc., a privately-held company that owns both Polar Semiconductor, LLC, a wafer fabrication facility, and Allegro MicroSystems, LLC, which manufactures high-performance power and sensing semiconductors. Mr. Martin also serves as a trustee of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Mr. Martin previously served as a director of SynQor, Incorporated, a manufacturer of power converters, until March 2014 and Soitec, Inc., a semiconductor wafer processing company, until July 2017. Mr. Martin holds an Executive Master Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors.

Qualifications

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Martin should continue to serve as a director of the Company because of his extensive industry and finance experience over more than 30 years in the semiconductor industry as chief financial officer and vice chairman of the board of directors of a multinational public semiconductor company, combined with the leadership that he has provided as Brooks’ chairman since 2006. The Board of Directors regards Mr. Martin’s experience as invaluable to the operation of the Board and the financial success of the Company.

John K. McGillicuddy

Age 74
Director Since October 2003

NomineeInformation

Mr. McGillicuddy was a partner with the international accounting firm of KPMG LLP, a public accounting firm, from 1975 until his retirement in June 2000. Mr. McGillicuddy is also a member of the board of directors of Cabot Corporation, a chemical manufacturer, and previously served as a member and past chairman of the board of directors of Watts Water Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of water safety and flow control products, until May 2016. Mr. McGillicuddy holds a Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors.

Qualifications

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. McGillicuddy should continue to serve as a director of the Company because of the depth of his financial background, including his previous experience as partner of a large, international public accounting firm, as well as his leadership and international experience as chairman of a public company with international operations.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement17


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Krishna G. Palepu

Age 63
Director Since November 2005

NomineeInformation

Professor Palepu is the Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration and senior advisor to the president of Harvard University on global strategy. Among his other responsibilities at Harvard Business School, Professor Palepu teaches in several different corporate governance educational programs. Prior to assuming his current administrative position, Professor Palepu held other positions at Harvard Business School, including Senior Associate Dean for International Development and Senior Associate Dean for Research. Professor Palepu was formerly a member of the board of directors of Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd., an Indian global pharmaceuticals company, from 2002 until 2009, and PolyMedica Corp, a Massachusetts provider of diabetes testing supplies and products, from June 2006 until it was sold in August 2007. Professor Palepu also serves as a trustee of The Winsor School. Professor Palepu was also formerly a member of the board of directors of BTM Corporation, a privately-owned management solutions provider focused on converging business with technology, and Satyam Computer Services Limited (“Satyam”), an Indian company whose shares were publicly traded in India and on the New York Stock Exchange. In December 2008, Professor Palepu resigned from the board of Satyam. Following his resignation, Satyam has been the subject of significant litigation, a portion of which has included Professor Palepu as a named defendant. For a full discussion of the Satyam litigation as it relates to Professor Palepu, please see the section titled “Pending Legal Matters” below. Professor Palepu holds a Master Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors.

Qualifications

The Board of Directors has evaluated the matters pertaining to the Satyam litigation as it relates to Professor Palepu, including a re-evaluation after the December 2014 court decision, and concluded that Professor Palepu should continue to serve as a director of the Company because of the depth of the strategic, marketing, financial and technology insights that he provides arising out of his service as a professor at an internationally esteemed business school and his expertise in corporate governance, as well as the global and culturally diverse perspective afforded by his international background.

Kirk P. Pond

Age 73
Director Since November 2007

NomineeInformation

Mr. Pond was the president and chief executive officer of Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc., from June 1996 until May 2005. He served as the chairman of Fairchild’s board of directors from 1997 until June 2006. Prior to Fairchild Semiconductor’s separation from National Semiconductor, Mr. Pond held several executive positions with National Semiconductor, including executive vice president, chief operating officer and in the office of the president. Prior to that, Mr. Pond was executive vice president of Timex, Inc. and vice president of Texas Instruments, Inc. Mr. Pond served as a member of the board of directors of the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston from January 2004 until January 2007 and since 2005 has been a director of WEX Inc., a leading provider of corporate payment solutions. Mr. Pond also has been a director of Sensata Technologies Holding (NV), a sensor and electrical protection device manufacturer, since March 2011 and has served on the advisory board of the University of Arkansas Engineering School since 1987.

Qualifications

The Board of Directors has concluded that Mr. Pond should continue to serve as a director of the Company in order to receive the continuing advantage both of his leadership experience as chief executive officer of a successful public company in the semiconductor industry and his generally broad background in technology, semiconductor manufacturing, global marketing and finance in both the public and private sectors.

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Stephen S. Schwartz

Age 58

President and Chief Executive Officer
graphic

Age: 64
Director Sincesince August 2010

NomineeInformation

Dr. Schwartz joined Brooks in April 2010 as president

Committees
Current:
  •  Executive
  •  ESG
Experience
  •  Former President, Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and continued to serve as such until August 2013. He was re-appointed president in May 2016. On October 1, 2010, he became chief executive officer and continues to serve in that role. Dr. Schwartz had previously served, from August 2002 until April 20, 2009, as chief executive officer and a directorDirector of Asyst Technologies, Inc.,
a manufacturer of integrated hardware and software automation systems primarily directed at the semiconductor
manufacturing industry. He joined Asyst in January 2001 as senior vice president, Product Groups and Operations and was elected chairman of Asyst in January 2003. Asyst filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the United States bankruptcy act on April 24, 2009, and Asyst’s assets have since been liquidated. Prior to joining Asyst, Dr. Schwartz had served since 1987industry (2002 – 2009)
  •  Served in various capacities with Applied Materials, Inc., including acting as general managerGeneral Manager for Applied Material’s High Temperature Films division, General Manager of the service business, and presidentPresident of Consilium, Inc., an Applied
Materials software subsidiary.

Qualifications

subsidiary (1987 – 2002)

Other Board Experience
U.S.-listed companies
  •  Director, Spire Inc., a publicly traded natural gas company (November 2018 – Present)
Other
  •  Served on The International Board of Directors has concluded that Dr. Schwartz should continueSEMI, a semiconductor industry trade organization (2003 – 2009 and 2012 – 2021)
Qualifications and Expertise Provided to serve as a director ofOur Board
  •  Led the Company becausethrough successful transition from Brooks Automation into Azenta
  •  Oversaw transformation of Azenta into global market leader, quadrupling revenues and meaningfully outgrowing the depthlife
science market over the last 5 years
  •  Demonstrated expertise across many facets of industry, marketinglife sciences business, while serving in both operational and management experience that he bringsexecutive
leadership positions
  •  Proven M&A track record in acquiring and successfully integrating 10 acquisitions over the past decade, generating
significant value for shareholders
  •  Serves as former chief executive officer of a company in the automation manufacturing space, as well as the fact that he is the Company’s presidentAzenta’s President and chief executive officer, therebyChief Executive Officer, bringing to the Board his insight and experience into the
day-to-day business and operations
Education
  •  BSEE, MSEE and PhD in Electrical Engineering, Purdue University
  •  MBA, University of Chicago
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  17

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DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Frank E. Casal
graphic

Age: 69
Independent Director since November 2021
Committees
Current:
  •  Audit (Chair)
  •  Finance
Expected upon election at Annual Meeting:
  •  Board Chair
  •  Audit
  •  Nominating and Goverance
Experience
  •  Spent over 40 years at KPMG LLP in various roles, most recently as Vice Chair, Audit, leading a team
of more than 900 Audit partners and 8,000 Audit professionals, before retiring in June 2021
Other Board Experience
  •  Former member of KPMG’s Board of Directors
Qualifications and Expertise Provided to Our Board
  •  Best-in-class knowledge of financial reporting, M&A, accounting and audit, with the daily businesscredentials including supervisory
responsibilities of the Companylarge, global Fortune 500 companies
  •  Significant expertise in advising clients on transforming their businesses through mergers and its customers, employeesacquisitions, financing
transactions and other stakeholders.

strategic priorities
  •  Proven leadership and management experience, leading division of almost 9,000 professionals
Education
  •  BS in Business Administration, Boston University
  •  Licensed CPA in Massachusetts

18 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

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DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Alfred Woollacott, III

Age 71

Robyn C. Davis
graphic
Age: 62
Independent Director Since October 2005

NomineeInformation

Mr. Woollacott became a director followingsince June 2013

Committees
Current:
  •  Finance (Chair)
  •  Human Resources and Compensation
Expected upon election at Annual Meeting:
  •  Board Vice-Chair
  •  Human Resources and Compensation (Chair)
  •  Finance
Experience
  •  Managing Director of AngelHealthcare Investors, LLC, an investment group focused on medical
devices, life sciences and specialty pharmaceutical companies (2000 – Present)
  •  Served as an independent advisor on value-creation, growth strategy, cost reduction, and leadership development to
global corporations, academic institutions and non-profit organizations (1996 – 2016)
  •  Director at Barents, LLC leading international multi-functional teams completing successful investments and M&A in
global emerging markets across several industries (1992 – 1996)
  •  Strategy consultant at Bain & Company (1989 – 1991)
Other Board Experience
U.S.-listed companies
  •  Corporate Director of Psychemedics (PMD) (2021 – Present)
Other boards
  •  Director at Akston Biosciences, LLC (2014 – Present)
  •  Former Director at CRA Health (2015 – 2021)
Qualifications and Expertise Provided to Our Board
  •  Brings valuable investor prospective as well as strong financial acumen to ensure that Board remains focused on
shareholder priorities and generating shareholder valuable
  •  More than three decades of independent C-suite consulting experience with corporate and non-governmental
organizations helping to lead value-creation strategies in growth, cost reduction, and leadership and talent development
  •  Extensive leadership experience in managing the Company’sinvestment process and diverse portfolio of early-stage investments
in medical devices, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and professional services
  •  Deep operational experience, particularly as companies scale and grow, as well as human capital managing and other
governance matters
  •  Relevant M&A experience through several successful exits of AngelHealthcare portfolio companies to public
companies and recently served on the Board of Directors for CRA Health during its acquisition of Helix Technology Corporation in October 2005. Mr. Woollacott is a certified public accountant and was a partner with the accounting firm of KPMG LLP from 1979 until his retirement in September 2002. He is currently a board member of the William H. Hart Realty Company, Inc. and the Hart Haven Community Association. Mr. Woollacott also served, until 2010,by Volpara
  •  Highlighted as a director of Greencore U.S. Holdings, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Greencore Group PLC, an Irish corporation listed on the Irish Stock Exchange, which is an international manufacturer of convenience foods and ingredients. Mr. Woollacott holds an2019 Most Influential Corporate Board Director (2019). WomenInc
Education
  •  BA in International Relations, Tufts University
  •  MBA in International Business, Harvard University
  •  Executive Master Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors.

Qualifications

TheDirectors

AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  19

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DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Erica J. McLaughlin
graphic

Age: 47
Independent Director since April 2020
Committees
Current:
  •  ESG (Chair)
  •  Audit
Expected upon election at Annual Meeting:
  •  Nominating and Governance (Chair)
  •  Audit
Experience
  •  Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Corporate Strategy, Cabot Corporation (2022 – Present)
  •  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Cabot Corporation (2018 – 2022)
  •  Former Vice President, Business Operations, Reinforcement Materials and General Manager, Tire Business, Cabot
Corporation (2016 – 2018)
  •  Former Vice President, Investor Relations and Corporate Communications, Cabot Corporation (2011 – 2016)
  •  Former Director of Strategy, Planning and Finance, Cabot Corporation (2010 – 2011)
  •  Former Finance Director Core Segment, Cabot Corporation (2005 – 2010)
  •  Former Senior Accountant and Manager of External Reporting, Cabot Corporation (2002 – 2004)
  •  Former Supervising Senior Account, KPMG LLP (1998 – 2002)
Other Board Experience
  •  FM Global, New York Advisory Board (2020 – Present)
  •  Cabot Boston Credit Union; Chair of Directors has concluded that Mr. Woollacott should continueAudit Committee and Treasurer (2013 – 2016)
Qualifications and Expertise Provided to serve as a director of the Company because of his financial backgroundOur Board
  •  Extensive international business experience and expertise gained through his career as partnerin financial areas and strategy, including mergers and divestitures
  •  Proven general management experience and leadership of a large, international publicglobal organizations
  •  Results-driven CFO with experience leading the financial and strategic activities of Cabot
  •  Strong accounting firm, as well as his experience on the boardand audit background
  •  Inaugural chairperson of an international company.

Cabot’s Diversity and Inclusion Steering committee

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement19


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Mark. S. Wrighton

Age 68
Director Since October 2005

NomineeInformation

Dr. Wrighton became a director following the Company’s acquisition of Helix Technology Corporation in October 2005. Dr. Wrighton has been chancellor of Washington University in St. Louis since July 1995. Dr. Wrighton also serves as a director

  •  Co-Chair, Governance pillar of Cabot Corporation a chemical manufacturer,ESG executive management structure
Education
  •  BS in Accounting, Boston College
  •  MBA, Boston College
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DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Tina S. Nova
graphic
Age: 70
Independent Director since January 2023
Committees
Current:
  •  Audit
Expected upon election at Annual Meeting:
  •  Finance (Chair)
  •  ESG
Experience
  •  President of Veracyte’s CLIA U.S. Business, leading all aspects – product commercialization, including
market development, product marketing, reimbursement, sales
and lab operations – of Corning Incorporated, a manufacturerthe company’s broad
menu of specialty glassdiagnostic tests that are performed in its laboratories, serving physicians and ceramics. He previously servedtheir patients in the United States
  •  Served as a directorVeracyte’s General Manager of A.G. Edwards,Thyroid and Urologic Cancers
  •  President and Chief Executive Officer of Decipher Biosciences, Inc. (2018-2021); company was acquired
by Veracyte, Inc. in 2021
  •  Served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Molecular Stethoscope, Inc., a financial servicesmolecular diagnostics company until 2007,
(2015 – 2018)
  •  Served as Senior Vice President and he previously served as a directorGeneral Manager of Akermin, Inc, a private Illumina’s oncology business unit (2014 – 2015)
  •  Co-founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Genoptix Medical Laboratory, Inc.; IPO completed in 2008;
company that ceasedacquired by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation in 2011
  •  Held senior positions with Nanogen, Inc., Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and Hybritech, Inc.
Other Board Experience
U.S.-listed Companies
  •  Director, Exagen, Inc. (2019 – Present)
  •  Former Director, Veracyte, Inc., (2016-2020)
  •  Former Director (and Board Chair) Arena Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (2010-2022)
Other
  •  Former Director, Decipher, Inc. (2018-2021)
Qualifications and Expertise Provided to Our Board
  •  Life science industry veteran with deep experience in building and leading novel genomics-based businesses
from conception through IPO, including public company CEO experience
  •  Extensive experience in commercial operations, in 2017. Since 1995 Dr. Wrighton has served as Chancellorsales and Professormarketing, managed care and technical support
  •  Significant M&A experience having overseen the sale of Chemistry at Washington University in St. Louis, following a 23-year tenure at MIT, first as a faculty member in chemistry and for the last five years as Provost and Professor of Chemistry.

Qualifications

The Board of Directors has concluded that Dr. Wrighton should continue to serve as a director of the Company because of his leadership and financial experience gained as the lead executive of an esteemed, large university, as well as his extensive experienceseveral companies while serving as a member of a board or executive, including Decipher Biosciences to Veracyte for $600 million, Genoptix to Novartis AG for $470 million and

Arena Pharmaceuticals to Pfizer for $6.7 billion
Education
  •  BS in Biological Sciences, The University of California, Irvine
  •  PhD in Biochemistry, The University of California, Riverside
  •  Postdoctoral Research, New York University Medical Center, Departments of Dermatology and Opthalmology
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  21

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DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Michael Rosenblatt, MD
graphic
Age: 76
Independent Director since September 2018
Committees
Current:
  •  ESG
  •  Human Resources and Compensation
Expected upon election at Annual Meeting:
  •  ESG (Chair)
  •  Human Resources and Compensation
Experience
  •  Senior Partner, now Senior Advisor, of Flagship Pioneering, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based
firm that originates new biotech companies (2021 – Present)
  •  Former Chief Medical Officer of Flagship Pioneering (2016 – 2022)
  •  Contributed to Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine efforts as a member of Moderna’s Development Committee, Vaccine
Acceleration Committee, chairman of the board for large, technology focused publicVaccine Ethics and Access Committee and as a special consultant to the CMO
  •  Former Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Merck & Co., Inc. (1984 – 2016)
  •  Advisory Partner, Ascenta Capital, a life sciences venture firm
  •  Senior Advisor, Bain Capital Life Sciences
  •  Prior to that, held various academic positions, including as Dean of Tufts University School of Medicine and the Robert Ebert Professor of Molecular Medicine and the George R. Minot Professor at Harvard Medical School, and Director of
the Harvard—MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology
  •  Former President, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center—a Harvard teaching hospital
Other Board Experience
U.S.-listed companies
  •  Director of Rubius Therapeutics, a publicly traded company using advanced cellular approaches that harness
properties of red blood cells to generate novel therapies (2015 – Present)
Other
  •  Director of the following privately-owned companies: Cobalt Biomedicine, Cygnal Therapeutics, Ohana Biosciences,
Sonata Therapeutics, Perspectum Ltd., PYC Therapeutics and Ferring’s USA subsidiary
  •  Member of the Harvard Medical School Board of Fellows, and the research advisory committees of Massachusetts
General, Brigham and Women’s, and Boston Children’s hospitals
  •  Former member of the Board of Scientific Counselors of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases of the NIH
Qualifications and Expertise Provided to Our Board
  •  Leadership and executive experience in the manufacturingbiotechnology industry, including as the chief medical officer of a major
pharmaceutical company and financial sectorsat a substantial life sciences venture firm
  •  Deep Board-level and his technologymanagement team experience as a scientist.

founding scientist, scientific advisory Board member, or
Director of more than a dozen biopharmaceutical companies
  •  Academic leadership experience as a dean and professor at prestigious medical schools, and extensive expertise in
drug discovery and medical research
  •  Widely known as a leader in the biotechnology industry, having received the Fuller Albright Award for his work on
parathyroid hormone, the Vincent du Vigneaud Award in peptide chemistry and biology and the Chairman’s Award from Merck
Education
  •  BA, Columbia University
  •  MD, Harvard Medical School

22 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DIRECTOR NOMINEES

Ellen M. Zane

Age 66

graphic

Age: 72
Independent Director Sincesince May 2012

NomineeInformation

Ms. Zane is serving

Committees
Current:
  •  Human Resources and Compensation (Chair)
  •  Executive
  •  Nominating and Governance
Expected upon election at Annual Meeting:
  •  Human Resources and Compensation
  •  Nominating and Governance
Experience
  •  Served as CEO Emeritus and vice chairthe first woman President & Chief Executive Officer of the board of trustees at Tufts Medical Center &and Tufts Children’s Hospital
(formerly the Floating Hospital for Children,Children) (2004 – 2011)
  •  Holds two faculty appointments at Tufts University School of Medicine including: Assistant Professor in the Department
of Medicine, Division of Clinical Care Research and from 2004 to 2011, she served as its presidentAssistant Professor of Public Health & Community Medicine
  •  Adjunct Assistant Professor of Health Policy and chief executive officer. From May 1994 to January 2004, Ms. Zane served asManagement at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
  •  Distinguished Global Leader in Residence at High Point University in North Carolina
  •  Previously held the position of Network President for Mass General Brigham (formerly Partners HealthcareHealthCare System, a physician/hospital network sponsored by the Harvard affiliated Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Inc.) in Boston (1994 – 2004)
  •  Prior to 2004, Ms. Zane served as chief executive officer ofthat, was the Chief Executive Officer at Quincy Hospital in Quincy, Massachusetts. Ms. Zane is also currently a memberMassachusetts (Managed by HCA Management
Company)
Other Board Experience
U.S.-listed companies
  •  Director of the board of directors at Boston Scientific Corporation, a publicly traded worldwide medical devices provider (2016 – Present)
  •  Chair of Haemonetics Corporation, a publicly traded worldwide medical devices provider (2018 – Present)
  •  Director of Synchrony Financial, a publicly traded consumer financial services company (April 2016 – Present)
Other
  •  Director of AgNovos Healthcare, LLC in New York, NY
  •  Director of Savista (formerly nThrive) in Alpharetta, GA
  •  Director of the Fiduciary Trust Company a privately owned wealth management company and AgNovos Healthcare, LLC a privately-held medical device company, focused on bone health. Ms. Zane previously served as a directorin Boston
  •  Director of the National Association of Corporate Directors, New England Chapter
  •  Director, Hebrew Senior Life, Dedham, MA
  •  Chair of the Board of GW Medical Faculty Associates Board, Washington, D.C.
  •  Former Director of Parexel International, Press Ganey, Lincare Holdings, Inc. until August 2012, Haemonetics Corporation until April 2016, Press Ganey until October 2016, Century Capital Management until June of 2017, and Parexel International Corporation until September 2017. Ms. Zane holds a Professional Director Certification from the American College of Corporate Directors.

Variagenics, Inc.

Qualifications

The Board of Directors has concluded that Ms. Zane should continue and Expertise Provided to serve as a director of the Company because of her executiveOur Board

  •  Executive experience in the health carehealthcare industry, including as the chief executive officer of a large academic medical
center
  •  Led the turnaround of Tufts Medical Center and Tufts Children’s Hospital in additionBoston and returned the organization to her substantial experiencefinancial stability and strengthened its academic relationship with Tufts University School of Medicine and community physician networks
to deliver high-quality, cost-efficient and patient-centered care
  •  Strong record of driving growth having led the development of the largest in physician networks in the U.S. while
serving as Network President of Mass General Brigham (formerly Partners HealthCare System, Inc.)
  •  NACD Directorship Top 100 (2021), National Association of Corporate Directors
  •  Highlighted as a director2019 Most Influential Corporate Board Director (2019). WomenInc
Education
  •  BA, The George Washington University
  •  Master of Arts, The Catholic University of America
  •  Holds honorary doctorate degrees from Bentley University, Stonehill College, Curry College and the University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  23

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DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Edward P. Bousa
Independent Director
graphic

Age: 65
Nominee at Azenta’s 2024 Annual General Meeting
Committees
Expected upon election at Annual Meeting:
  •  Audit
  •  ESG
Experience Former Partner and Team Lead of Quality Value Investment Strategies at Wellington Management Company LLP, a leading independent investment manager overseeing over $1.4 trillion in
assets under management (2000 – 2020)
  •  Served in various capacities at other public companies.

blue-chip investment managers, including as VP and Portfolio Manager of
Putnam Investments (1992 – 2000) and Portfolio Manager and Equity Research Analyst at Fidelity (1984 – 2002)
  •  Former Commodity Merchant at Louis Dreyfus Corp. (1980 – 1982)
Other Board Experience
U.S.-listed companies
  •  Director, Omnicell, Inc., a leading provider of an integrated suite of clinical infrastructure and workflow automation
solutions for healthcare facilities (2021 – Present)
Qualifications and Expertise Provided to Our Board
  •  Over 37 years of experience in the investment business, with a top decile long-term record in identifying successful
companies
  •  Led the Quality Value team at Wellington as the team’s equity assets under management grew from $26 billion in 2002
to over $90 billion prior to his retirement
  •  Deep experience in the healthcare industry providing an investor-focused approach to the healthcare delivery market
  •  Possesses significant experience in fundamental valuation and corporate management analysis, having executed over
7,000+ in-depth assessments of company management teams
  •  Current member of Audit and M&A committees at Omnicell
  •  Proven advocate of ESG initiatives, having led broad firm participation in ESG engagements at Wellington
Education
  •  MBA, Harvard University
  •  BA, Economics, Williams College
24 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement20


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DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Didier Hirsch
Independent Director
graphic

Age: 72
Nominee at Azenta’s 2024 Annual General Meeting
Committees
Expected upon election at Annual Meeting:
  •  Audit (Chair)
  •  Finance
Experience
  •  Former Executive, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Agilent Technologies, Inc., a global leader in life
science, diagnostic and applied technical markets (2010 – 2018)
  •  Served in other various roles at Agilent Technologies, Inc., including Vice President Corporate Controllership and Tax (2006-2010), Corporate Controllership (2003-2006), and Treasury and Investor Relations (1999-2003)Former Vice
President Corporate Controllership and Tax
  •  Served in various capacities at Hewlett-Packard Company prior to its spinoff of Agilent Technologies, including as
Director of Finance and Administration for France, Asia Pacific and EMEA (1989-1999)
  •  Held senior finance and administrative roles at Valeo S.A., Gemplus Inernational S.A., SSG Thomson
Microelectronics, I.B.H. Holdings S.A., Benedix Coporation and Ford Motor Company
Other Board Experience
U.S.-listed companies
  •  Director, Knowles Corporation, a global supplier of advanced micro-acoustic solutions and specialty components
(2014 – Present)
  •  Director, Sophia Genetics S.A., a cloud-based software-as-a-service platform enabling healthcare institutions to derive
data driven insights (2021 – Present)
  •  Director, Logitech International S.A., a leading global hardware and software solutions provider for businesses and
individuals (2012 - 2021)
  •  Director, International Rectifier Corporation, a power management technology company that developed key computing
components (2012 – 2015)
Qualifications and Expertise Provided to Our Board
  •  Experienced Chief Financial Officer of a public company with a track record of successfully running large, complex and
multi-national finance functions
  •  Significant financial and risk management expertise, having served on the Board of four other public companies
(including as Chair of the Audit Committee)
  •  Possesses substantial international experience and regulatory knowledge from previous work in the technology and
semiconductor sector across geographies
Education
  •  MS, Industrial Administration, Purdue University
  •  MS, Computer Science, Toulouse, France
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  25

Pending Legal Matters

In January 2009, the chairman of Satyam disclosed a series of fraudulent transactions that resulted in an overstatement of Satyam’s assets and revenue. As a result of subsequent investigations by the Special Fraud Investigation Office (“SFIO”), an investigative agency of the Indian government, various proceedings were brought in India in 2009 against Satyam involving allegations of fraud, substantial overstatements of revenues, profits and assets, as well as violations of sections of India’s criminal and corporate statutes. SFIO produced a report relating to these matters alleging a series of violations of the Companies Act, 1956, of India (the “Companies Act”) by the former directors of Satyam. In December 2009, SFIO filed complaints with respect to two of these allegations naming Professor Palepu and other Satyam directors. These complaints relate to Satyam’s alleged failure to properly identify highly paid employees in reports required by the Companies Act and failure to obtain prior approval from the government of India for consulting fees paid to Professor Palepu. In December 2014, the court in India hearing the complaints filed by SFIO issued its decision finding that Satyam violated the applicable provisions of the Companies Act and ordered each Satyam director, including Professor Palepu, to pay a fine of 20,000 Rupees (approximately $325) for the failure of Satyam to file reports identifying highly paid employees. In addition, the court found that Satyam violated the Companies Act by failing to obtain governmental approval of the consulting fees paid to Professor Palepu and ordered Professor Palepu to pay a fine of 500,000 Rupees (approximately $8,000) and return the consulting fees previously paid to him in the amount of 26,600,000 Rupees (approximately $428,000). Professor Palepu has appealed the decision with respect to both allegations, and he has informed the Board of Directors that he believes the allegations lack merit and that he intends to continue to assert his defenses vigorously.

Professor Palepu has also been named as a respondent to a petition brought in January 2009 before the Company Law Board of the Indian government and another petition filed in a civil court in January 2009 by Mahindra Satyam, successor to Satyam, both arising out of the same facts. The civil court petition is seeking 2.67 billion Rupees (approximately $42.72 million) in damages. Both of these actions are still pending.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement21


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DIRECTOR NOMINEES
Martin Madaus
Independent Director
graphic

Age: 64
Nominee at Azenta’s 2024 Annual General Meeting
Committees
Expected upon election at Annual Meeting:
  •  Human Resources and Compensation
  •  Nominating and Governance
Experience
  •  Operating Executive at The Carlyle Group, a global investment firm with $382 billion in assets under management
(2019 – Present). Played an integral role in the firm’s buyout of Ortho Diagnostics, Inc. from Johnson and Johnson
  •  Former Chairman and CEO of Ortho Diagnostics, Inc., a vitro diagnostics company that develops products and
diagnostic equipment for blood testing (2014 – 2019)
  •  Former Operating Executive, The Carlyle Group (2010 – 2014)
  •  Former Chairman and CEO of Quanterix Corporation (2010 – 2012)
  •  Former Chairman, President and CEO of Millipore Corporation (2005 – 2010)
  •  Various senior roles at Roche Holdings AG and Boehringer Mannheim Pharmaceuticals Corp. (acquired by Roche
Holdings in 1989), including President and CEO, Roche Diagnostics, North America
Other Board Experience
U.S.-listed companies
  •  Director, Repligen Corporation, a bioprocessing manufacturer focused on the development of advanced tools for the
production of biopharmaceuticals (2023 – Present)
  •  Director, Standard BioTools, Inc., a life sciences tools manufacturer focused on genomic and proteomic analysis
(2022 – Present)
  •  Director, Quanterix Corporation, a life sciences manufacturer enabling advances in proteomic research and
development with ultra-sensitive immunoassay diagnostics (2010 – Present)
  •  Previous Director roles at public companies include Covidien Ltd (2011 – 2014), Mettler-Toledo International Inc.
(2009 – 2015) and Millipore Corporation (2005 – 2010)
Other
  •  Director of the following privately-owned companies: Emulate, Inc., Unchained Labs and Syntis Bio
Qualifications and Expertise Provided to Our Board
  •  Experienced public company CEO who has spent his career in diagnostics and life science tools, both as an executive
and as a board member, with public and privately held companies
  •  Proven track record of creating shareholder value in public and private life science companies
  •  Led Millipore Corporation’s transformational strategy, doubled the company’s size and profitability and tripled cash flow
in five years. In 2010, Dr. Madaus led the sale of the company to Merck KGaA for $7.2 billion
  •  Led $4.2 billion leveraged buy-out of Ortho Clinical Diagnostics
  •  Significant expertise in clinical diagnostics, bioprocessing and life science tools industry, with notable experience
in strategy, mergers and acquisitions and commercial transformations
Education
  •  PhD, Veterinary Medicine, Tieraerztliche Hochschule Hannover
  •  DVM, Veterinary Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München
26 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

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COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS


COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
The following table sets forth the total compensation paid or accrued during the fiscal year ended September 30, 20172023 to each of our non-employee directors.

Director Compensation Table

Fiscal Year 2017

2023

Name

Fees Earned or

Paid in case

 

Stock

Awards

(1)

 

Total

Joseph R. Martin

$

140,000

$

130,014

 

$

270,014

John K. McGillicuddy

$

117,500

$

90,018

(2)

$

207,518

Ellen M. Zane

$

112,500

$

90,018

 

$

202,518

Krishna G. Palepu

$

105,000

$

90,018

 

$

195,018

A. Clinton Allen

$

100,000

$

90,018

 

$

190,018

Robyn C. Davis

$

92,500

$

90,018

(3)

$

182,518

Kirk P. Pond

$

92,500

$

90,018

(4)

$

182,518

Alfred Woollacott, III

$

92,500

$

90,018

 

$

182,518

Mark S. Wrighton

$

92,500

$

90,018

 

$

182,518

Dr. Schwartz is not included here, having only received compensation as an employee during fiscal 2017. His compensation is discussed below under Executive Officers - Summary Compensation Table.

(1)

The value of a stock award is based on the fair value as of the grant date calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718 (previously FAS 123R). All shares vest in one year on the date one day before the Company’s 2018 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

(2)

Mr. McGillicuddy has chosen to defer his 2017 stock award.

(3)

Ms. Davis has chosen to defer her 2017 stock award.

(4)

Mr. Pond has chosen to defer his 2017 stock award.

Name
Fees Earned or
Paid in cash
Stock
Awards(1)
Total
Joseph R. Martin
$170,000
$237,534
$407,534
Ellen M. Zane
$127,500
$162,504
$290,004
Krishna G. Palepu
$123,750
$162,504
$286,254
Robyn C. Davis
$116,250(2)
$162,504
$278,754
Frank E. Casal
$112,500
$162,504
$275,004
Erica J. McLaughlin
$111,250
$162,504
$271,254
Michael Rosenblatt
$97,500
$162,504
$260,004
Tina Nova
$45,000
$162,504
$207,504
Dorothy Puhy
$45,000
$162,504
$207,504

Dr. Schwartz is not included here, having only received compensation as an employee during fiscal 2023. His compensation is discussed below under “Executive Officers - Summary Compensation Table”.
(1)
The value of a stock award is based on the fair value as of the grant date calculated in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 718. There were no outstanding unvested stock awards as of September 30, 2023.
(2)
Ms. Davis elected to defer 100% of her cash compensation for calendar year 2023.
Compensation Policy

The following annual cash compensation is paid to our non-employee directors on a quarterly basis (pro-rated for the portion of any fiscal year in which the non-employee director provides service):

  •$80,000 Board retainer to each non-employee director;
  •$7,500 Committee retainer for each of the ESG Committee, Executive Committee, Finance Committee or Nominating and Governance Committee that such director serves on;
  •$10,000 Committee retainer for each of Audit Committee or Human Resources and Compensation Committee that such director serves on;
  •an additional $50,000 retainer to the non-executive chair of the Board;
  •an additional $15,000 retainer to each of the chair of the ESG Committee, Nominating and Governance Committee, Finance Committee, and Executive Committee;
  •an additional $20,000 retainer to the chair of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and to the chair of the Audit Committee; and
  •an annual award of vested shares of our Common Stock having a market value of $162,500 ($237,500 for the non-executive chair of the Board) based on the closing price on the third business day following the release of earnings for the first fiscal quarter ending December 31, which occurs each year following our annual meeting of shareholders.

$90,000 Board retainer to each non-employee director;

$5,000 Committee retainer for each of Executive, Finance or Nominating and Governance Committee that such director serves on;

$10,000 Committee retainer for each of Audit or Human Resources and Compensation Committee that such director serves on;

an additional $40,000 retainer to the non-executive chairman of the Board;

an additional $10,000 retainer to each of the chairman of the Nominating and Governance Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Executive Committee;

an additional $20,000 retainer to the chairman of the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and (in the aggregate) to the co-chairmen of the Audit Committee; and

an annual award of unrestricted shares of our Common Stock having a market value of $90,000 ($130,000 for the non-executive chairman of the board) based on the closing price on the date of grant, which occurs each year following our annual meeting of stockholders.

In addition, on the date of appointment, each newly elected non-employee director will receive an award of unrestrictedvested shares of our Common Stock having a market value of $90,000$162,500 based on the closing price on the date of grant, prorated for the number of days out of 365 remaining until the next annual equity award to non-employee directors.

The Board of Directors has previously approved equity ownership guidelines for non-employee directors, which require each non-employee director to own over time shares of our Common Stock having a market value of at least $300,000. The target ownership amounts are subject to adjustments based on changes in the market price for our Common Stock. The Nominating and Governance
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  27

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COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Committee intends to monitor the policy over the coming years. As of SeptemberNovember 30, 2017,2023, each of the non-employee directors, except Ms. Puhy and Dr. Nova, who each joined the Board in January 2023, has exceeded the target

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement22


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ownership amount. The Board may at any time revoke or modify the policy.

these guidelines.

The Nominating and Governance Committee and the full Board reviewsreview director compensation periodically in light of business and market conditions and such other factors as they deem appropriate. In 2017, based on an analysis of our director compensation program conducted by Pearl Meyer & Partners (“Pearl Meyer”), an independent compensation consultant, the Nominating and Governance Committee made recommendations of the following changes to our director compensation program which were reviewed and adopted by the Board:

Annual equity retainer was increased from $80,000 to $90,000;

Form of annual equity retainer was changed from unrestricted stock to restricted stock subject to one-year cliff vesting;

Chair retainer for the Human Resources and Compensation Committee was increased from $10,000 to $20,000; and

Committee member retainer for the Audit Committee and the Human Resources and Compensation Committee was increased from $5,000 to $10,000;

Deferred Compensation Plan

Non-employee directors may elect to defer receipt of their stock compensation in exchange for a credit, in restricted stock units, to a deferred RSU account. Non-employee directors may also elect to defer all or a portion of their cash compensation pursuant to the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan. No directors deferredMs. Davis elected to defer cash compensation in 2017.2023. In general, directors must make these deferral elections by the end of the calendar year preceding the date of the grant of the shares. Directors who make a deferral election will have no rights as stockholders of the Company with respect to amounts credited to their deferred RSU account. An amount equal to the cash dividends that would be paid on the number of shares equal to the number of RSUs credited to the director’s deferred RSU account will be converted into additional RSUs based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on each dividend record date. Payment of RSUs credited to the deferred RSU account will be made in a lump sum in an equal number of shares of unrestricted common stockfully vested Common Stock at the time specified in the director’s deferral election, but no later than as soon as administratively feasible following the director’s termination of Board service. The table below sets forth the total number of deferred stock awards held by each non-employee director as of September 30, 2017.

2023.

Name

Name
Number of Deferred


Restricted Stock Units

A. Clinton Allen

7,822

Robyn C. Davis

22,387

John K. McGillicuddy

74,100

Kirk P. Pond

39,423

22,006

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and anticipate that we will enter into similar agreements with any future directors. Generally, the indemnification agreements are designed to provide the maximum protection permitted by Delaware law with respect to indemnification of a director.

The indemnification agreements provide that we will pay certain amounts incurred by a director in connection with any civil or criminal action or proceeding, specifically including actions by or in our name (derivative suits) where the individual’s involvement is by reason of the fact that the director is or was a director or officer. Such amounts include, to the maximum extent permitted by law, attorney’s fees, judgments, civil or criminal fines, settlement amounts, and other expenses customarily incurred in connection with legal proceedings. Under the indemnification agreements, a director will receive indemnification unless the director is adjudged not to have acted in good faith and in a manner the director reasonably believed to be in the best interests of Brooks.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement23

Azenta.
28 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

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Biographical Information

The names of our current executive officers and certain biographical information furnished by each of them as of December 13, 2017November 30, 2023 are set forth below. Each executive officer serves until his or her resignation or termination.

Name

Age

Name

Age
Position with the Company

Dr. Stephen S. Schwartz

58

64
President and Chief Executive Officer and President

Lindon G. Robertson

56

Herman Cueto

49
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Maurice H. Tenney III

54

David Wang

President, Brooks Life Science Systems

David E. Jarzynka

49

​53
Senior Vice President, General Manager, Brooks SemiconductorSample Management Solutions Group

Olga Pirogova
49
Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer
David C. Gray

52

58
Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy and New Business Officer

William T. Montone

65

Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Jason W. Joseph

47

53
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

David F. Pietrantoni

44

Violetta Hughes

​51
Vice President, Finance and Corporate ControllerChief Accounting Officer and Principal Accounting Officer

Robin Vacha
48
Senior Vice President, Global Operations
Ginger Zhou
47
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Multi-Omics

Dr.StephenS.Schwartz joined BrooksAzenta in April 2010 as President and continued to serve as such until August 2013. He was reappointedre-appointed President in May 2016. As of October 1,In 2010, Dr. Schwartz alsohe became Brooks’ Chief Executive Officer and continues to serve as such. Dr. Schwartz was elected to the Brooks Board of Directors in August 2010.that role. Dr. Schwartz had previously served, from August 2002 until April 20, 2009, as Chief Executive Officerchief executive officer and a director of Asyst Technologies, Inc., a manufacturer of integrated hardware and software automation systems primarily directed at the semiconductor manufacturing industry. He joined Asyst in January 2001 as Senior Vice President,senior vice president, Product Groups and Operations and was elected Chairmanchairman of Asyst in January 2003. Asyst filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Act on April 24, 2009, and Asyst’s assets have since been liquidated. Prior to joining Asyst, Dr. Schwartz had served since 1987 in various capacities with Applied Materials, Inc., including acting as General Managergeneral manager for Applied Material’s service business and Presidentpresident of Consilium, Inc., an Applied Materials software subsidiary.

Since November 2018, Dr. Schwartz has served on the board of directors of Spire Inc., a publicly traded natural gas company. Dr. Schwartz received his BSEE, MSEE, and Ph.D. in electrical engineering from Purdue University. He also holds an MBA from the University of Chicago.

Mr.LindonG.Robertson Herman Cueto joined BrooksAzenta in October 20132023 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Cueto is responsible for leading and managing Azenta's global financial strategy including establishing long range financial planning and policies while maintaining positive relationships with our shareholders and the financial community.
Prior to joining Brooks, from July 2011 to September 2013,Azenta, Mr. RobertsonCueto served as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Graftech International Ltd., a publicly traded manufacturer of carbon and graphite products for industrial applications. Prior to that, he spent 27 years at IBM Corporation in various senior financial management positions, including Chief Financial Officer of IBM’s global hardware businessroles with Becton, Dickinson and Chief Financial Officer of IBM’s Japan and China operations.

Mr.MauriceH.TenneyIII was appointed President, Brooks Life Science Systems in November 2014. Prior to joining Brooks, Mr. Tenney spent 13 years with PerkinElmer, Inc. in various leadership roles,Company (“BD”), most recently as Senior Vice President of customer operations.Finance. He joined BD in 2017 through its acquisition of CR Bard, where Mr. Tenney’s career includes progressive leadership assignmentsCueto worked since 2003 in various financial management roles.

Mr. Cueto earned a B.S. degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MBA degree from Seton Hall University.
Mr. David Wang joined Azenta in December 2022 and is currently the Senior Vice President and General Manger of Sample Management Solutions (SMS). SMS combines Azenta’s legacy Sample & Repository Solutions (SRS) business with GE, Lockheed Martin, AlliedSignalthe Products business unit inclusive of Ultracold Store Systems as well as Consumables and Honeywell.

Instruments. Prior, Mr.DavidE.Jarzynka Wang was appointed as the General Manager of Brooks Semiconductorthe Sample & Repository Solutions Group in April 2016. (SRS) business.

Prior to his appointment,joining the Company, Mr. Wang held positions with increasing responsibility at the University of Chicago, McKinsey & Company, Johnson & Johnson, Covidien/Medtronic, and PerkinElmer. Most recently, he had responsibility for the Company’s semiconductor automation business since June 2013. Prior to that he was general manager of the Company’s Systems business.

Mr. Jarzynka joined Helix Technology Corporation in 2004 and continued on with Brooks after its acquisition of Helix in 2005, during which time Mr. Jarzynka held commercial leadership roles in product management, product marketing and sales. Prior to Helix, Mr. Jarzynka held commercial leadership roles at Intel Corporation and IBM. He began his careerworked as an applications engineer for Brooks.

Dr.DavidC.Gray was appointedindustry advisor to leading growth/private equity funds and multinationals.

Mr. Wang received his Bachelors in Biological Sciences and MBA in Finance/Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago and his Masters in Bioinformatics at Harvard University.
Ms. Olga Pirogova joined Azenta in August 2023 as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO). Ms. Pirogova is responsible for developing and executing Azenta’s human resources strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the company.
Prior to Azenta, Ms. Pirogova served as CHRO at Speedcast, a global satellite communications service provider. Ms. Pirogova also spent 12 years with BD (Becton, Dickinson & Company), a leading global medical technology company, where she worked in various Human Resources leadership roles across Latin America, Europe, and the United States. She previously worked at British Petroleum and Phillip Morris International, where she held roles in a wide range of HR disciplines.
Ms. Pirogova received her master’s degree in human development from Ibero-American University in Mexico City and completed her undergraduate degree at Minsk State Linguistic University in Belarus.
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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Dr. David C. Gray joined Azenta Life Sciences in July 2014 as Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy and New Business Officer in June 2014after having consulted with the Company since November 2013. He leads our next generation product and addiitonally, as General Manager Cryogenic Automation Solutions in October 2016. From October 2013business initiatives and is also responsible for corporate-level initiatives to June 2014,guide our strategic moves. Prior to joining the Company, Dr. Gray provided consulting services toheld the Company. Prior to that, from January 2009 to January 2013, Dr. Gray was employed by GT Advanced Technology in various senior leadership roles, most recently asposition of Chief Strategy and New Business Officer.

Mr.WilliamT.Montone was appointed Senior Vice President, Human Resources in October 2005 when Brooks acquired Helix Technology Corporation,Officer at GT Advanced Technologies, Inc., where he servedheld various executive management roles and was responsible for global strategy development and execution as Vice President of Human Resources since 1998. Priorwell as internal product development. He spent several years as an M&A and strategic advisor to joining Brooks, various companies in the technology and life science industries.

Dr. Gray has a Bachelors degree in Chemical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, Masters and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering from MIT, and an MBA degree from Stanford University.
Mr. Montone held senior human resources roles at A.T. Cross, an international manufacturer of fine writing instruments, and Rogers Corporation, a materials technology company, for 13 and eight years, respectively.

Mr.JasonW.Joseph joined BrooksAzenta Life Sciences in March 2011 as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and was appointed as Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary in November 2017. Mr. Joseph is responsible for the Company's legal affairs, including corporate governance, intellectual property, securities, commercial contracts, litigation, compliance and regulatory activities. He also serves as Secretary of the Corporation and to the Board of Directors.

Prior to joining Brooks,the Company, Mr. Joseph served as Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Unica Corporation, a publicly tradedleading provider of enterprise marketing automationmanagement software company, from June 2007 through Novemberand services, which was acquired by IBM in October 2010, and as General Counsel and Secretary of MapInfo Corporation, a publicly tradedglobal provider of location intelligence software company, from December 2003 throughsolutions, which was acquired by Pitney Bowes in April 2007. Mr. Joseph also previously practiced law at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP (formerly Hale and Dorr LLP) in Boston, MA.
Mr. Joseph holds a Juris Doctor degree from 2000 through 2003.

Mr.DavidF.PietrantoniNorthwestern University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola University Chicago.

Ms. Violetta Hughes joined Azenta in January 2023 and was appointed PrincipalVice President, Chief Accounting Officer in August 2023 and is responsible for oversight for all areas of financial accounting, reporting, and controls. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Hughes served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer at Akebia Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company focused on addressing kidney disease, from December 2020 to December 2022 and prior to that served as the Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller of AMAG Pharmaceuticals, a pharmaceutical company acquired by the Covis Group in June 2013. Since joining Brooks2020, from December 2016 to December 2020. Ms. Hughes holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in 2006, heAccounting from the University of Massachusetts.
Mr. Robin Vacha joined Azenta in 2014 and was appointed Senior Vice President, Global Operations in March 2022. In this role, Mr. Vacha has held various financialprimary responsibility for Azenta’s global factory, repository, laboratory, and supply chain operations. Prior to his current role, Mr. Vacha served as GM of the Azenta Life Sciences Products business unit as well as several other senior leadership positions includingat Azenta.
Mr. Vacha is focused on creating differentiated operational capabilities that drive customer value. For most of his career his focus has been on creating new robotic and automated solutions for factory and laboratory work flows. He has extensive experience in the management of cold chain logistics that support compound management, biologics, and cell and gene therapy research and delivery. Mr. Vacha has a MBA from the MIT Sloan School of Management, a Master of Mechanical Engineering from MIT, and a BSME from Kettering University.
Dr. Ginger Zhou joined Azenta in November 2018 and was appointed as Senior Vice President Finance and Division Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining Brooks, Mr. Pietrantoni spent six yearsGeneral Manager of the Genomic Services (now Multiomics) business in various financial leadership roles at SPX CorporationNovember 2022. She holds primary responsibility for leading global Genomics business growth, operations, and Standex International Corporation.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement24

development of related products and solutions.
Dr. Zhou received her Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry from The State University of New York through a joint research program with Yale University. She holds a B.S. in Biochemical Engineering from Tianjin University, China.
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Our executive compensation program is built on a foundation of pay for performance, andwhich we continually evolve our compensation program to maintain the alignmentappropriate alignment. We believe our stockholders have benefited from the successful execution of our business strategy and continue to express support for our pay programs that we believe provide appropriate incentives and performance. For the second consecutive year, we were pleasedrecognition for our executives to receive support fromperform. Our “say-on-pay” proposal again received over 99% approval at our 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Our current design and structure of the executive compensation program have been consistent for several years. Each year, our Human Resources and Compensation Committee, or HRC Committee, undertakes a comprehensive review of the design and metrics of our shareholders who voted atincentive plans to ensure alignment with our 2017 Annual Meeting to approvebusiness strategy. The results of this review, discussed further below, support our “say on pay” proposal. We believe this investor endorsement ofbelief that our executive pay program is a direct result ofincentive plans are strongly aligned with our strategy execution and business performance in Fiscal 2016 as well as the modification of certain elements of our pay program in Fiscal 2015 based on direct feedback from our shareholders.strategy. In this CD&A,Compensation Discussion and Analysis, we have describeddescribe the material elements of our Fiscal 2017fiscal 2023 compensation for the following Named Executive Officers:

named executive officers:

Name

Name
Role

Stephen S. Schwartz

President and Chief Executive Officer and President

Lindon G. Robertson

(1)

Former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Maurice H. Tenney III

President, Brooks Life Science Systems

David E. Jarzynka

Jason W. Joseph

Senior Vice President, Brooks Semiconductor Solutions Group

General Counsel & Corporate Secretary

Robin Vacha
Senior Vice President, Global Operations
David C. Gray

(2)

Senior Vice President, Chief Strategy and New Business Officer

(1)
Mr. Herman Cueto replaced Mr. Robertson as Chief Financial Officer on October 16, 2023, following Mr. Robertson’s planned retirement from the position. Mr. Robertson remains employed with the Company as an advisor to the CEO.
(2)
Dr. Gray and the Company mutually agreed that Dr. Gray’s employment with the Company would cease on December 31, 2023.

In Fiscal 2017,2023, we continued our practice of reaching out toinviting many of our larger shareholders and scheduling discussions onstockholders to discuss our pay programs and practices. These sessions were led bypractices, our ChairmanEnvironmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program, and other governance topics. Stockholders representing approximately 22.6% of theAzenta’s outstanding shares accepted invitations for discussions with members of our Board and our Chairman of the Human Resourcesexecutive management. The calls were focused on strategy, governance, and Compensation Committee (“HRC”) and in addition to receiving investor feedback, we engaged their perspectives on topical executive pay issues to assist in guiding the ongoing management of our program. This year, the investorscompensation topics. The stockholders we spoke with were asked to provide their input on:

enhancing our executive pay disclosure

degree of alignment of our metrics and goals with our business strategy

whether any portion of the annual incentive award should be based on non-formulaic measures

The shareholders we engaged with in Fiscal 2017 were uniformly supportive and complimentary of our executive compensation program and offered constructive feedback on certain specific pay program,elements and design. As in prior years, many of the strong linkage of our incentive metrics and goalsstockholders we contacted indicated that no discussion or meeting was necessary. We do not expect any substantive changes to our business model and strategy, our executive pay governance and proxy disclosure, and the opportunitycompensation program to speak with membersbe recommended as a result of our Board. The feedback from our outreach efforts is provided to the Committee and the full Board.

stockholders.

We intend to maintain an ongoing dialogue with our shareholdersstockholders to ensure that our payexecutive compensation program continuesand ESG initiatives continue to take their views into consideration. We encourage our shareholders to provide us with feedback on our executive compensation program and governance. To facilitate thatthis process, we have established a link for stockholders to provide feedback on the investor section of our website. Please visit http:https://www.brooks.com/company/investors/shareholder-feedbackAzenta.investorroom.com/stockholder-feedback.

Fiscal 20172023 Company Performance and Financial Highlights

Highlight

Our business strategy, which has provided steadyAzenta is a leading global provider of life science sample exploration and profitable growthmanagement solutions for the prior four years, accelerated our growth significantly in Fiscal 2017. Our organizational structure, fiscal management, and strength of our customer-focused product offerings in both business segments, permitted us to continue to capture market share and outpace our industry’s growth levels.

The increase in shareholder value for Brooks is a reflection of our strong financial results and our disciplined operational management. We were ready with the right semiconductor products delivered timely to a ramping business segment and our life sciences business continued its profitable organic growth while addingmarket. We support our customers from research to clinical development with our sample management, automated storage, and genomic services expertise to help bring impactful therapies to market faster. We understand the importance of sample integrity and offer a broad portfolio of products and services companies that expanded our sample management portfolio offeringsspanning across the life cycle of samples from procurement and customer base.

sourcing, automated storage platforms, genomic services and a broad range of consumables, software, and services. We believe that our business strategy is provingcontinues to prove its value, resiliency, and sustainability and we remain committed to continuing our internal and acquisition relatedacquisition-related investments to acceleratefurther our growth.

Fiscal 2023 was Azenta’s first full year as a standalone life sciences company. Our financial performance results. Followingresulted in markedly different outcomes between the first and second halves of the fiscal year. Facing a challenging macroeconomic environment, we performed below expectations over the first six months of the fiscal year but quickly pivoted to a more efficient and streamlined business structure to produce strong results over the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2023. Collectively, we have re-invigorated revenue growth and believe we have positioned the Company for accelerated profitability.
Much of our second half strong rebound is a result of the meaningful steps we took to return to growth. We believe that the actions we took and continue to implement are some financial highlights from Fiscal 2017.having a positive impact on our business. These actions include:
  •Restructuring our go-to-market approach to align sales with customer decision makers and purchasing patterns. We recruited additional talent to our sales teams, and they produced strong results.
  •Alignment of a new reporting structure that began with the start of the fiscal 2024 on October 1, 2023, which is designed to significantly improve our operating efficiency while positioning our offerings to be more responsive to customer needs.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  31

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Grew

  •Two separate and distinct tranches of meaningful cost reductions since the start of the calendar year 2023 to improve our operating leverage while sustaining operations capability to meet our demand.
The combination of a return to growth and our cost reductions allowed us to demonstrate positive free cash flow over the final two quarters for the first time as a stand-alone life sciences company. We are proud of this accomplishment and recognize it as an important milestone in our continued evolution.
Revenue for fiscal 2023 was up approximately 20% as compared to fiscal 2022 largely driven by 24% to $693MM with balance from boththe addition of B Medical Systems S.á r.l. (“B Medical”). Both our Life Sciences (+38%)Services and Semiconductor (+20%)

Grew Adjusted Net Income by 167% to $87MM

Expanded Adjusted Gross Margin 300 basis points from Fiscal 2016, to 39.2%

Increased Adjusted Earnings Per Share (“EPS”) to $1.23 per share from $0.47 per share in Fiscal 2016

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Ourour Life Sciences segment increased revenuesProducts segments were essentially flat from a revenue perspective but we believe these segments are well positioned for growth due to $149MM while adding $11MMcontinued investments throughout fiscal 2023 and the operating expense actions that we have implemented.

From a capital deployment perspective, during fiscal 2023, we used over $380 million of cash from our balance sheet to operating profit over prior year levels.make two valuable additions to our portfolio with the acquisitions of B Medical and Ziath Ltd. (“Ziath”). As of September 30, 2023, we repurchased $894 million in shares under our existing $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization. In addition, we seamlessly absorbed threehave committed, in fiscal 2024, to repurchase an additional $500 million in shares utilizing the full capacity of the $1.5 billion share repurchase authorization. After consideration of the share repurchases and acquisitions, while successfully commercializing two new products. Wewe believe we have ample liquidity, including $500 million of cash available to be prudently allocated to enhance shareholder value, including continued strategic investment in our unique end-to-end sample management portfolio.
During fiscal 2023 as the impact of the pandemic continued to wane, many of our employees chose to utilize our hybrid work policy that was formally introduced mid-year. A majority of our global workforce continues to work on-site full time at our manufacturing and lab sites. While we encourage our employees to work on-site, we believe our comprehensive sample management offerings and commitment to continued investmentbusiness can accommodate our hybrid policy that requires a minimum of three days per week in the growth of our recurring revenue business has us poised for rapid growth.

designated work site.

Our Semiconductor segment delivered on its existing customer commitments while building on its new Magnatran(R) LEAP product portfolio that is achieving strong customer reception. Our financial results reflect our strong product offerings and the operating transformation that has been ongoing for the past two years.

Fiscal 2017 Company Performance and Financial Highlights

2023 key performance metrics include:

Revenue reached $665 million, an increase of 20% compared to fiscal 2022. Organic revenue growth, adjusted for the impact of foreign exchange rates and acquisitions was (1%) compared to fiscal 2022.
  •Life Sciences Services revenue grew 1%, year-over-year to $360 million.
  •Life Sciences Products revenue, excluding B Medical, was $192 million, down 4%, year-over-year.
  •B Medical revenue was $113 million in its first full year under Azenta ownership.
  •Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, or EPS, was $0.31, a 39% decrease compared to $0.51 in fiscal 2022.
An explanation of the adjustments to our GAAP financial measures used in this proxy statement and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP, financial measures used in this proxy statement to the comparable GAAP financial measures are included in Appendix A to this proxy statement.
32 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

Non-GAAP Financial Measures - see http://www.brooks.com/company/investors/investor-presentations for reconciliation tables.


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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
graphic
Our long-term financial model forms the basis for our annual performance targets, which we share with our investors.targets. The chart below showsdepicts the alignment between financial performancesteady growth of the Company and corresponding incentive value of our CEO pay components, over the last four years.

graphic
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

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We have focused on the alignment of the pay of our executive leadership team with the Company’sour performance againstas measured by certain core business metrics. These metrics, which are incorporated into our incentive compensation plans, are chosen to coordinate with our financial and strategic objectives and to appropriately balance our short- and long-term goals. Our performance goals are designed to incentincentivize building a business with resilience and growth capability with an eye to long-term sustainable growth. We believe the goals are aggressive but achievable.

The chart below shows the strong alignment between our business strategy and our cash (PBVC)(or Performance-Based Variable Compensation Plan, sometimes referred to as our PBVC) and equity (LTIP)(or Long-Term Incentive Plan, sometimes referred to as our LTIP) incentive plans for Fiscal Years 2016, 2017fiscal 2022 and 2018.

2023.
graphic

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement27


*
Adjusted to exclude the impact of acquisitions during the fiscal year (i.e., Ziath). B Medical is included as it was acquired coincident with the start of the Fiscal Year.

Our executive compensation program is intended to reward our senior leadership team for achieving performance that is directly tied to our annual operating and longer termlonger-term strategic plans and iswhich are designed to create value for our shareholders.stockholders. We believe that our plan structure clearly aligns our reward outcomes with the interests of our shareholders. Ourstockholders, as reinforced by our dialogue with shareholdersstockholders over the last several years reinforces this position.

years.

We have identified strategic business imperatives and designed our executive compensation programs in a manner that we believe provides appropriate incentives for management to work toward our mutually beneficial goals.

Strategic

Business Imperatives

Driveperformance

Extend our leadership position in our core markets

Expand

Employ value creation methodology for the rapid growth of our comprehensive sample management business in the life sciences market with organic and acquisition investments

Life Sciences businesses

Exercise

Utilize balanced and disciplined capital deployment

Deliverprofitablegrowth

Drive margin expansion in each of our two core businesses

Achieve rapid growth of life sciences revenue

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Business Imperatives
Achieve rapid and profitable growth of Life Sciences with organic and acquisition investments
We believe our executive compensation program provides competitive compensation that is in line with the practices of leading semiconductor capital equipment, life sciences and high technology companies with whom we compete for business and talent. Our total rewards strategy is intended to provide:

  •a balance between fixed and variable pay that rewards performance and results
  •performance-based awards that are tied to aggressive but achievable company and business unit results
  •recognition that in our cyclical and volatile industries the ability to perform throughout business cycles is critical to our long-term success

a balance between fixed and variable pay that rewards performance and results;

performance-based awards that are tied to aggressive but achievable company, business unit and individual results; and

recognition that in our highly cyclical and volatile industries, the ability to perform throughout the business cycles is critical to our long-term success.

We do not define specific percentages of fixed, variable, and long-term compensation for our executives. Given the cyclical nature of the semiconductor industry and the variable order pattern of our life sciences equipment units, weWe designed our executive pay program to provide base compensation that is competitive with our peer group along with the opportunity to earn variable pay when justified by financial performance. Our pay for performance design emphasizes “at-risk”, that is, variable compensation which is paid for thebased upon achievement of strategic accomplishments that are directly tied to increasing shareholderstockholder value.

We believe that our executive compensation program supports our business strategies and talent management objectives and is consistent with governance best practices that serve our shareholders’stockholders’ long-term interests. The following are some of the highlights of our program design and pay practices:

practices for our executive officers:

What We Do

What We Don’t Do

graphic

Maintain robust stock ownership guidelines

to reinforce the alignment of executive officer and stockholder interests
graphic

No above-median pay benchmarking

graphic

Maintain robust clawback provisions

to assure accountability
graphic

No gross-up provisions

graphic

Provide for double-trigger change-in-control benefits

graphic

No pension plans or other post-employment benefit plans

graphic

Consult with an independent compensation consultant

graphic

No executive perquisites

graphic

Conduct an annual risk assessment

of our pay design and practice
graphic

No severance multipliers in excess of 3three times total pay

graphic

Conduct an annual review of pay levels

graphic

No dividends on RSUs until they vest

graphic

Conduct evaluations of performance goal rigor

graphic

No hedging or pledging of Companyour stock

graphic

Solicit shareholderstockholder input and incorporate their feedback

graphic

Require minimum vesting periods on equity awards

Policy Prohibiting Hedging

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement28


Back

Our executive compensation program consists of three components: base pay; annual cash incentive under our performance-based variable compensation (PBVC) plan;PBVC program and annual equity awards under our long-term incentive plan (LTIP).

LTIP.

Element

Element
Objectives

BaseSalary

Base Salary

Provides regular source of income at market-competitive levels

PBVCPlan

PBVC

Motivates executive team to achieve key annual financial goals and objectives

Provides at-risk compensation that is not earned if minimum threshold goals are not achieved as well as upside earnings potential for achievement of stretch goals

LTIP

LTIP

Motivates executive team to execute against longer-term financial and strategic objectives

Performance-based RSUs provide

Provides a direct link between performance outcomes and actual pay realized; payoutrealized through the use of performance-based RSUs, representing 75% of each executive’s annual LTIP grant. Payout is contingent upon achieving minimum performance thresholds, and provides upside potential for stretch performance

performance.

Time-based

Provides retention incentive using time-based RSUs provide retention incentive

representing 25% of each executive’s annual LTIP grant
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  35

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
In allocating total direct compensation among these three components, we seek to provide competitive levels of fixed compensation (base pay and time-based RSUs) and, through annual and long-term variable incentives, provide opportunity for additional compensation where aggressive but achievable performance objectives are met. For Fiscal 2017,fiscal 2023, our CEO’s and other named executive officers’ target pay mix emphasized variable at-risk pay opportunities as illustrated below:
graphic
Note: Named Executive Officers Average does not include CEO.
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The Human Resources and Compensation (“HRC”)HRC Committee is responsible for developing and administering the compensation program for executives as illustrated in the chart below. All HRC Committee pay recommendations are submitted to the non-employee directors of the Board for final vote and approval. The HRC Committee is composed of at least three members, all of whom are independent directors. Ms. Ellen M. Zane is Chair of the HRC Committee, having been appointed in February 2015, and she is currently joined on the HRC Committee by Mr. Kirk P. Pond and Ms. Robyn C. Davis.

Davis and Dr. Michael Rosenblatt.

Each year our CEO, with the assistance of our Human Resources department, makes annual recommendations to the HRC Committee regarding the salaries, incentive payments and equity grants for key employees, including all executive officers other than himself. The HRC Committee also holds executive sessions that are not attended by members of management. The HRC Committee makes recommendations to the non-employee directors on each element of our CEO’s compensation, as well as other significant aspects of the Company’sour executive paycompensation programs, for final approval by our full board.Board. The recommendations of the HRC Committee typically include the following:

Executive compensation program development

PBVC and LTIP design, performance metrics and goals

determination

Executive base salary adjustments

Incentive plan achievement awards and payouts

Pay programs and policies that impact the executive team such as severance and change in control arrangements, stock ownership requirements and other pay governance items

graphic
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The HRC Committee has the authority to directly retain the services of independent consultants and other experts to assist in fulfilling its responsibilities as described below. Each year our outside compensation consultant assists the HRC Committee in evaluating the competitiveness and appropriateness of executive compensation levels and practices. In Fiscal 2017,fiscal 2023, the HRC Committee continued its engagement with its independent compensation consultant, Pearl Meyer, a national executive compensation consulting firm, to review and provide recommendations concerning all of the elements of the Company’sour executive compensation program. Pearl Meyer performs services solely on behalf of the HRC Committee and

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement30


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has no relationship with the Company or management except as it may relate to performing such services. The HRC Committee has assessed the independence of Pearl Meyer pursuant to SEC rules and the corporate governance rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market and concluded that no conflict of interest exists that prevents Pearl Meyer from independently representing the HRC Committee. Services provided by Pearl Meyer in Fiscal 2017fiscal 2023 included:

  •a review of the appropriateness of our peer group for executive compensation comparison purposes
  •a competitive assessment of Azenta’s compensation practices as compared to the market based on the compensation components of base salary, target annual incentives, long-term incentives, and total direct compensation
  •an evaluation of the design of our incentive plans (PBVC and LTIP)
  •an evaluation of the rigor of our short-term and long-term incentive metrics and goals and their corresponding potential impact on increasing stockholder value
  •an analysis of our equity practices to assure prudent equity management as measured by our share burn rate, dilution, and overhang
  •an analysis of our short- and long-term pay for performance alignment relative to our peer group
  •attendance at scheduled HRC Committee meetings to assist with ongoing support

a review of the appropriateness of our peer group for executive compensation comparison purposes

a competitive assessment of Brooks as compared to the market based on the compensation components of base salary, target annual incentives, long-term incentives, and total direct compensation

an evaluation of the rigor of our short-term and long-term incentive metrics and goals as they relate to achievement and relevance to increasing shareholder value

an analysis of our equity practices to assure prudent equity management as measured by our share burn rate, dilution and overhang

an analysis of Brooks’ short- and long-term pay for performance alignment related to our peer group

assistance with shareholder outreach efforts

periodic attendance at scheduled HRC Committee meetings to assist with ongoing support

The information provided by Pearl Meyer is supplemented by compensation survey data purchased by the Company from Radford Executive Survey, which is used to gauge the market competitiveness of our senior executive pay.

compensation.

Before each meeting, the HRC Committee is provided with appropriate materials and information necessary to make informed decisions about the Company’sour executive compensation practices. This materialThese materials may be supplemented by reports prepared by Pearl Meyer.Meyer or our Human Resources department. The HRC Committee uses its judgment supported by facts and documentation in making compensation recommendations that supportit believes supports our philosophy and objectives.

Peer Group

In consultation with Pearl Meyer, the HRC Committee annually reviews Brooks’our peer group to ensure it is appropriate to utilize for external compensation comparisons. Criteria used to select these companies include industry comparability, geography, revenue size and market capitalization, and product/service comparability. Brooks generally excludes

Step
1.
Industry Similarity
»
Publicly traded companies in the following life science industry groups:
Health Care Equipment & Services (GICS: 3510)
Biotechnology & Life Sciences Tools and Services (GICS: 3520)
2.
Other Factors
»
Consideration of local life sciences companies, ISS peers, Glass Lewis peers, and “peers of peers”
3.
Size Similarity
»
Revenue: $300M - $1.2B, approximating a 0.5x - 2.0x range around anticipated Azenta revenue
»
Market Capitalization: $1.6B - $14.5B approximating a 0.33x - 3.0x range around Azenta’s market capitalization
4.
Business Profile Similarity
»
Companies with primary areas of focus in the development, manufacturing and distribution of Life Sciences products and services, with emphasis on genomic services and analytics, sample repository, and consumables and instruments
Applying these criteria to companies that primarily make integrated circuit (IC) chips because ofin the significantly different business model of those chip makers versus semiconductor capital equipment manufacturers like Brooks. Publicly traded Life Sciences equipment companies withinindustry resulted in more turnover than normal in our financial ranges are also included.

Brooks modified its Fiscal 2016 peer group to construct its peer group for 2017fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 as Azenta prepared for its first full year as a standalone life sciences company and better understood its peers for executive compensation determination. For Fiscal 2017comparison. Nine of fifteen companies from the Committee removed Affymetrix, Inc., FEI Company and Newport Corporation as these three companies were acquired during 2016 and ceased to operate as independent public corporations. Additions to thefiscal 2022 peer group were: Coherent, Inc. a laser technology company with Life Sciences applications; MTS Systems, a sensorwere removed and testing manufacturer; and Bruker Corporation, a life sciences tool manufacturer. While Bruker’s size is at the upper end of our peer group range, its similarity to our life sciences segment and proximity to our corporate headquarters made this a logical choice. Adding three and removing three companies keeps our peer group at 14 companies.

The Fiscal 2017 peer group has balance between revenue and market capreplaced by eight new peers for size, and maintains a sizable presence of companies offering life science products. fiscal 2023.

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graphic
*
Trailing twelve months revenue on June 30, 2023
The following chart contains a list of the companies in our Fiscal 2016fiscal 2022 and 20172023 peer groups.

Fiscal 2022 Peer Group
Fiscal 2023 Peer Group:
Angio Dynamics, Inc.
10x Genomics, Inc
CareDx, Inc.
Bio-Techne Corporation
Certara, Inc.
Certara, Inc.
Haemonetics Corporation
Cryoport, Inc.
ICU Medical, Inc.
Guardant Health, Inc.
Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corporation
Haemonetics Corporation
Luminex
Maravai LifeSciences Holdings Inc.
Maravai LifeSciences Holdings Inc.
Medpace Holdings, Inc..
Medpace Holdings, Inc..
Nadera, Inc.
NeoGenomics, Inc.
NeoGenomics, Inc.
NuVasive, Inc.
Repligen Corporation
OraSure Technologies, Inc.
Sotera Health Company
Repligen Corporation
Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc.
Sotera Health Company
Twist Bioscience Corporation
Varex Imaging Corporation

Fiscal 2016 Peer Group:

Fiscal 2017 Peer Group:

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.

Advanced Energy Industries, Inc.

Affymetrix, Inc.

Analogic Corp.

Analogic Corp.

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Axcelis Technologies, Inc.

Bruker Corporation

Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

Cabot Microelectronics Corporation

Entegris, Inc.

Coherent, Inc.

FEI Company

Entegris, Inc.

FormFactor, Inc.

FormFactor, Inc.

MKS Instruments, Inc.

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Newport Corporation

MTS Systems Corporation

Photronics, Inc.

Photronics, Inc.

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

Ultra Clean Holdings, Inc.

Veeco Instruments, Inc.

Veeco Instruments, Inc.

Xcerra Corp.

Xcerra Corp.

AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  39

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Fiscal Year 20172023 Executive Compensation Program

Based on Pearl Meyer’s competitive assessment and the HRC Committee’s review of each executive’s scope of responsibility and individual performance, the HRC Committee set target pay levels for the CEO and our other executive officers that were in accordance with our paycompensation philosophy.

The outcomes of our Fiscal Year 2017fiscal 2023 executive compensation program can be summarized as follows:

Fiscal Year 20172023 Element

Fiscal Year 20172023 Outcome

BaseSalary

Base Salary

No changes to

Mr. Joseph and Mr. Vacha received market-based salary increases. The new base salaries for Messrs. Schwartz and Gray. Messrs. Robertson, Tenney and Jarzynka received market competitive increases.

salary rates became effective January 1, 2023.

AnnualPBVCCashIncentivePlan

Performance-Based Variable
Compensation Plan (Cash)

Revenue, Adjusted EPS, Corporate and Business Unit Revenue exceeded theand Business Unit Operating Income fell short of targets. The Corporate ESG Scorecard was partially achieved. This resulted in payouts all below target goal and achieved 100% of the stretch goal.

awards.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (2021 - 2023)
Status: Complete: Final three year Achievement 50% of target

Adjusted Gross Margin exceeded the target goal and achieved 70% of the stretch goal.

Adjusted Earnings Per Share exceeded the target goal and achieved 100% of the stretch goal

Long-termIncentivePlan(2015-2017)

Status: Complete. Final Achievement 40.5%

1-Year metric Measures: Fell below the threshold of 2015 Adjusted Gross Margin and Life Sciences 2015 Revenue (weighted together at 60%) following end of Fiscal 2015 measurement period; participants forfeited RSUs.

3-Year metric Measures: cumulative Free Cash Flow for 2015 - 2017 and 3-year ROIC average for Fiscal 2015 - 2017 (weighted together at 40%) achieved 104.63% of target and participants vested in corresponding RSUs.

Long-termIncentivePlan(2016-2018)

Status: Ongoing.

3-Year metric Measures: cumulative Life Sciences Revenue; cumulative Company Adjusted Operating Profit; and three-year average ROIC to be measured following the end of Fiscal 2018.

Long-termIncentivePlan(2017-2019)

Status: Ongoing

3-Year metricMetric Measures: cumulative Adjusted Operating Profit; cumulative Free Cash Flow; and three year3-year average ROIC to be measured following the end of fiscal 2023. Plan adjusted to remove contributions from the sale of our semiconductor automation business for fiscal years 2022 and 2023. Fiscal 2019

2021 result was measured on both business segments results and banked at 150% achievement
Long-Term Incentive Plan (2022 - 2024)
Status: Ongoing
3-Year Metric Measures: cumulative Adjusted Earnings Before Income Taxes Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA); cumulative Free Cash Flow; and 3-year average ROIC to be measured following the end of fiscal 2024.
Long-Term Incentive Plan (2023 - 2025)
Status: Ongoing
3-Year Metric Measures: cumulative Adjusted EBITDA; cumulative Free Cash Flow; and 3-year average ROIC to be measured following the end of fiscal 2025.

The HRC Committee reviews salaries annually and normally implements any adjustments effective January 1,1st, with occasional mid-year adjustments for off cycle events such as promotions. The HRC Committee considered the market competitive positioning of the CEO and other named executive officers as provided by our consultant and recommended that base salaries be increased for Messrs. Robertson, Tenneybased its decisions upon its evaluation of our performance and Jarzynka.the individual performance of each named executive officer. The following table lists base salaries for the last two fiscal years for the CEO and our other Named Executive Officers.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement - 32

named executive officers.
FISCAL YEAR END BASE PAY
Name
September 30, 2022
September 30, 2023
Percent Increase
Stephen S. Schwartz
$750,000
$750,000
0.0%
Lindon G. Robertson
$525,000
$525,000
0.0%
Robin Vacha
$415,000
$425,000
2.4%
Jason W. Joseph
$410,000
$440,000
7.3%
David C. Gray
$400,000
$400,000
0.0%
  •Mr. Vacha and Mr. Joseph received salary adjustments in recognition of their contributions and to maintain their market competitive positioning. Base salaries were adjusted, as of January 1, 2023.
40 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

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FISCALYEARENDBASEPAY

Name

September 30, 2016

September 30, 2017

Percent Increase

 

Stephen S. Schwartz

$

625,000

$

625,000

No Change

 

Lindon G. Robertson

$

425,000

$

440,000

3.5

%

Maurice H. Tenney III

$

425,000

$

435,000

2.4

%

David C. Gray

$

350,000

$

350,000

No Change

 

David E. Jarzynka

$

335,000

$

350,000

4.5

%

Executive Pay Increases

LindonRobertson-ChiefFinancialOffficer

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Mr. Robertson assumed added responsibilities since the departure of the COO in April 2016 in helping run the commercial and operational elements of the business. He has worked more closely with our business unit leadership in helping meet financial commitments and balancing resources to current and anticipated needs. In addition to his CFO responsibilities, Mr. Robertson also manages worldwide facilities, logistics and IT. This was his first salary adjustment since his hire in October 2013.

MauriceTenney-President,BrooksLifeScienceSystems

Mr. Tenney’s position expanded, as planned, as he grew the life sciences business both organically and through acquisition. He led the integration of BioStorage Technologies and rationalized infrastructure and his leadership team while exiting the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016 profitably.

DavidJarzynka-GeneralManager,BrooksSemiconductorSolutionsGroup

Mr. Jarzynka received a market competitive base salary increase to recognize his accomplishments in consolidating the semiconductor business.

Annual Cash Incentive for Fiscal Year 20172023 – Performance-Based Variable Compensation (PBVC)

Each year the HRC Committee, with management, reviews the annual operating planAnnual Operating Plan, or AOP, to determine the critical financial metrics and goals that, when achieved,they believe will drive shareholder value.stockholder value when achieved. For Fiscal 2017,fiscal 2023, the HRC Committee votedchose financial metrics that were once again consistent with our strategic focus. The HRC Committee chose to retain the Revenue (55% weight), and Adjusted Gross MarginEPS (35% weight) metrics used infor the Fiscal 2016 Plan but felt that an Adjusted Earnings per Share metric was better alignedPBVC as they continue to the Company’s emphasis onalign with our strategy of accelerating profitable growth. (A Free Cash Flow metric used in the Fiscal 2016 PBVC Plan is now part of the Fiscal 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan).

growth as a life sciences company. We developed new goals for our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) scorecard (10% weight) given its strategic importance to our continued business.

In reviewing the metrics and goals, the HRC Committee was guided by the following:

  •Aligning the shorter-term financial objectives of our annual PBVC incentives and the longer-term strategic objectives of our LTIP
  •Establishing financial goals that are aggressive but achievable, that show significant growth over prior years’ targets and results and that account for significant acquisitions and divestitures
  •Maintaining a strong linkage between incentive plan metrics and our strategic plan and business model
  •Defining appropriate ranges of financial long-term performance to equitably reward performance below and above our aggressive targets for our business during fiscal 2023

Alignment between the shorter term financial objectives of our annual PBVC incentive and the longer term equity plan strategic objectives

Establishing financial and individual goals that are aggressive but achievable, and show significant growth over prior years targets and results

Maintaining a strong linkage between incentive plan metrics and our strategic plan and business model.

Appropriate ranges of financial long-term performance to equitably reward performance below and above our aggressive targets

The HRC Committee met over several sessions and engaged our compensation consultant to review Brooks’ and itsour (and our peer group’sgroup’s) historical achievement levels on the proposed metrics to assureensure appropriate rigor in setting these goals. Based on its independent assessment, Pearl Meyer concluded that the goal setting. Emerging from a fourth quarter Fiscal 2016 that suggested positive momentum for Fiscal 2017, the PBVCfiscal 2023 incentive compensation performance goals were established considering the following:

2017of appropriate rigor reflecting:
  •A goal-setting process incorporating marketplace best practices, including meaningful year-over-year growth from actual results, appropriately structured performance ranges with additional ESG goals and corresponding reasonable payout levels
  •Alignment with investor expectations and performance ranges that are generally consistent with peer design with highly robust stretch goal targets
  •PBVC goals based on meaningful organic growth for continuing business operations
  •Historical payouts that have fluctuated demonstrating a history of sufficiently challenging goals

Fiscal 2023 PBVC Financial Performance Goals

AnnualRevenue:

Key growth measureOur fiscal 2023 PBVC metrics and goals were key performance measures that anticipated an upturncontinued growth and our go forward operations as a Life Sciences company. The goals for the fiscal 2023 PBVC were determined by referencing financial targets in our AOP and excluded consideration of any acquisition activity that occurred during the 2023 fiscal year. Revenue and adjusted EPS underperformance was impacted by a macroenvironment that caused us to miss our targets primarily in the semiconductor industry in Fiscal 2017 and continued organic growthfirst half of Life Sciences

Target reflected an increase of 11% over Fiscal 2016 actual and 7% over Fiscal 2016 target

Weighted at 20% of Target

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AdjustedGrossMargin:

Key metric for measuring the ability to drive profitability at all points in the industry cycle while outperforming the industry and increasing market share

Selected aggressive gross margin goal (38.0%) from 2017 target model showing continuous improvement in delivering profitable growth. Target is a 130 basis point improvement over Fiscal 2016 actual and 50 basis point increase over Fiscal 2016 target

Progress continues and initiatives are in place to capture additional market share while rationalizing the infrastructure as important elements of our Fiscal 2017 Plan

Removed the link to the Revenue goals (for FY2016 PBVC, Adjusted Gross Margin goals were adjusted based on Revenue results) given the aggressive goals (threshold through maximum) for both metrics and the expected growth from fiscal yer 2016 results

Weighted at 20% of Target

AdjustedEarningsPerShare:

Added adjusted EPS as a PBVC annual metric and moved Free Cash Flow to LTIP as a 3-year cumulative target

Adjusted EPS will enable us to measure our performance in delivering profitable growth using a measure that is understood by our shareholders

Selected target from Fiscal 2017 financial model which will be greater than 65% improvement over actual Fiscal 2016 adjusted EPS

Weighted at 40% of Target

Fiscal 2017 Corporate Financial Objectives, PBVC Plan Results

Our performance in Fiscal 2017 is a culmination of the activities and planning of prior years as we remained commited to transforming the Company. We continued to strengthen our customer connections while developing products and services to meet the significant growth opportunities provided by our markets.

Within our semiconductor segement, revenue increased $92M (20%) over prior year and our adjusted gross margin and adjusted operating profit was up 370 basis points and $53M (100%), respectively, over Fiscal 2016. We believe our product portfolio is well positioned across the high growth semiconductor segments of Deposition and Etch; Advanced Packaging; and Contamination Control where our growth and market share capture is outpacing our competitors.

The Life Sciences segment continued its double-digit growth through a carefully planned strategy of organic and acquisition investments. Revenues and bookings rose to $149M (a 38% increase over Fiscal 2016) and $179M (a 32% increase over fiscal 2016), respectively. We were profitable each quarter and our adjusted gross margin increased by 50 basis points. We acquired three companies that complement our existing product and services portfolio.

As a result of our performance, we exceeded our three PBVC cash bonus plan targets reaching the stretch goal on Revenue and Adjusted EPS and reaching 70% of the Adjusted Gross Margin stretch goal.

 

 

TARGETS

 

ACHIEVEMENT

 

 

Corporate

Metric

Weighting

 

25

%

100

%

Max

 

 

Full Year

Result

 

Target Award Percent

 

 

 

CEO

 

NEOs

 

 

Annual Revenue ($000)

20%

<$560

 

$620

 

$680

 

 

$693

 

200

%

150

%

 

Adjusted Gross Margin

20%

<36.5

%

38.0

%

40

%

 

39.4

%

170

%

135

%

 

Adjusted Earnings Per Share

40%

<$0.60

 

$0.80

 

$1.00

 

 

$1.23

 

200

%

150

%

 

Individual Objectives

20%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Varies

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal 2017 - PBVC Strategic Individual Objectives

The individual strategic objectives are a measurable set of goals relating to strategic development and execution, organic growth, organizational capability and acquisition opportunity within the fiscal year. The strategicStrength in sample repository solutions and large automated stores was partially offset by softness in genomics and uneven order patterns with newly acquired B Medical.

Annual Revenue
  •Aggressive revenue goal set exceeding fiscal 2022 by 36%
  •Goal achievement dependent upon: continued growth performance and execution across all segments in a post pandemic market environment
  •Weighted at 55% of Target
  •Actual results 88% of the fiscal 2023 PBVC target resulting in a weighted goal award achievement of 30.1% of full target
Adjusted EPS:
  •Aggressive target goal to measure our performance in delivering profitable growth using a metric that is understood by our stockholders
  •Weighted at 35% of Target
  •Adjusted EPS fell below threshold resulting in 0% of target achievement for fiscal 2023
ESG Scorecard:
  •Given the ongoing importance in the areas of ESG, the HRC Committee again included a scorecard focused on the employment of a diverse workforce, an inclusion culture, production safety and ongoing emissions and sustainability efforts.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  41

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
  •Weighted at 10% of Target
  •The HRC Committee determined that the Company partially achieved the scorecard goals, resulting in 50% achievement.
Fiscal 2023 Corporate PBVC Results − CEO
 
TARGETS
ACHIEVEMENT
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year End Result
Corporate Metrics(1)
Metric
Weighting
Threshold
25%
Target
100%
Max
200%
Full Year
Actual(1)
Award
Percent
Weighted
% of
Target
Award
Annual Revenue
55%
$602M
$753M
$851M
$662M
54.8%
30.1%
Adjusted EPS
35%
$0.50
$0.61
$0.82
$0.33
0.0%
0.0%
ESG Scorecard
10%
50.0%
50.0%
5.0%
Corporate Financial Metrics
100%
35.1%
(1)
Full Year Actual excludes results from any acquisitions made in fiscal 2023. B Medical is included as it was acquired coincident with the start of the Fiscal Year.
Fiscal 2023 Corporate PBVC Results − Named Executive Officers
 
TARGETS
ACHIEVEMENT
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year End Result
Corporate Metrics(1)
Metric
Weighting
Threshold
25%
Target
100%
Max
150%
Full Year
Actual(1)
Award
Percent
Weighted
% of
Target
Award
Annual Revenue
55%
$602M
$753M
$851M
$662M
54.8%
30.1%
Adjusted EPS
35%
$0.50
$0.61
$0.82
$0.33
0.0%
0.0%
ESG Scorecard
10%
50.0%
50.0%
5.0%
Corporate Financial Metrics
100%
35.1%
(1)
Full Year Actual excludes results from any acquisitions made in fiscal 2023. B Medical is included as it was acquired coincident with the start of the Fiscal Year.
In fiscal 2023, we focused on driving revenue growth and improving our operational execution. Unfortunately, we experienced certain challenges and other headwinds in our businesses that led to our falling short of our PBVC plan targets.
In February 2023, we acquired Ziath, a leading provider for the CEO are developed jointly by the HRC Committee and CEO and approved by the Board. The CEO2D barcode readers for life sciences applications. Ziath was excluded from any PBVC results given that it was acquired in turn develops strategic goals for his direct reports which focus on the measurable accomplishments in their individual areas of responsibility that will also benefit our shareholders over the long term. The Individual Objectives are weighted at 20% of the PBVC target opporunity and cannot exceed 20% even if the level of achievement for each objective exceeds the measure. Listed below is a summary of each named executive officer’s performance against his Fiscal Year 2017 strategic objectives.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement - 34


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fiscal 2023.

PBVC Individual Objectives FY 2017

Name

Key Strategy

Individual

Objectives

Weight

%

Results

Achievement

Level

Dr. Stephen S. Schwartz CEO and President

Rapid Growth of Life Sciences

Develop and reconcile Board approval on the Next Phase Action Plan for Life Sciences Growth

50%

Product roadmaps and acquisition strategies were delivered and reviewed; supplemented with financial projections of a larger business

80%

 

Action Plan for Sources of Expansion Capital

Secure commitment to timely access of capital for Life Sciences growth (tied to Objective #1)

30%

Term Loan B secured on favorable terms. Public credit ratings received positive outlooks.

100%

 

Succession Planning/Leadership Development

Build upon Leadership Development progress by implementing a dynamic succession planning process to assure the continuity of CEO and Executive Team positions

20%

Leadership Development and Succession Planning process developed and executed. Cadence established with Board.

100%

Lindon G. Robertson Chief Financial Officer

Operations Execution Improvement and Control

Operations coordination with focus on cadence, process, and tools to improve efficiency

25%

Objectives achieved across all operational functions

100%

 

Increase Shareholder
Value

Investor relations
expansion

25%

Life Sciences coverage expanded

100%

 

Growth through strategic acquisition and partnership

Cash and debt management to support Company finance needs

50%

Term Loan B secured on favorable terms. Public credit ratings received positive outlooks.

100%

Maurice H. Tenney III President, Brooks Life Sciences

Advance the rapid growth of Life Sciences

Launch of new innovation across the business that culminates in incremental revenues of $XXM v. PY across the Consumables & Instruments, Cryo/Stockyard, and Informatics businesses

50%

Incremental revenues well over targets

100%

 

Market Leadership

Sequential revenue and Operating Profit expansion quarter over quarter

50%

Each quarter successively higher on each financial measure

100%

David E. Jarzynka General Manager Brooks Semiconductor Solutions Group

Growth and Market Leadership

New Service Strategy and Model to achieve Revenue and Gross Margin increases

25%

New service strategy substantially increased Revenue and Gross Margin increases

100%

 

Growth and Market Leadership: New Products

Qualification of progress MagnaTran LEAP

50%

Achieved

 

 

Operational Excellence

Establish and Implement an Excess/Obsolete Process, Reduce charges from Excess/Obsolete by 10% in 2017

25%

Implemented and reduced charges well over target

100%

David C. Gray Chief Strategy and New Business Officer

Advance the rapid growth of Life Sciences

Provide GM level leadership to drive progress in Life Sciences cryogenic automation solutions

60%

Revenue and bookings grew significantly

100%

 

Extend Leadership in core Semiconductor and adjacent markets

Support corporate level development initiatives

25%

Achieved

100%

 

Engage employees to deliver results

Support fuller engagement and utilization of company technical staff through annual tech conference event and related events

15%

Highly energed technical community from both business segments exchanged ideas and reviewed innovation opportunities

100%

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Fiscal 2017 PBVC Plan Awards and Results (continued)

Listed below are our CEO’s and our other named executive officers’ earned cash payouts based on the achievement of the corporate financial metrics weighted at 80% of target and the individual objectives weighted at 20% of target. Messrs. Tenney and Jarzynka are also measured on specific business unit financial performance.

Name

Target Opportunity as

% of Fiscal Base Pay

Cash Payout

Payment as a

% of Target

Individual Objectives

Achievement

Stephen S. Schwartz

110%

$1,195,031

174%

90%

Lindon G. Robertson

100%

$597,575

137%

100%

Maurice H. Tenney

75%

$236,485

73%

100%

David E. Jarzynka

75%

$359,641

138%

100%

David C. Gray

60%

$287,658

137%

100%

Special Bonus Award: Mr. Tenney

Following fiscal year end discussion by the full Board of the significant growth and strategic advances realized by the Life Sciences segment in fiscal 2017, a special one-time discretionary bonus outside of the PBVC Plan was awarded to Mr. Tenney as President of Life Sciences in the amount of $100,000 as recognition for the significant growth and strategic advances realized by the Life Sciences segment in fiscal 2017.

weighted.
Name
Target Opportunity as
% of Fiscal Year Base Pay
Cash
Payout
Payment as a
% of Target
Stephen S. Schwartz
110%
$289,575
35.1%
Lindon G. Robertson
100%
$184,275
35.1%
Robin Vacha
65%
$96,350
35.1%
Jason W. Joseph
65%
$98,543
35.1%
David C. Gray
60%
$84,240
35.1%
42 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

The Board noted the achievements listed below and the impact that the growth of our Life Sciences business has had on our enterprise valuation:TABLE OF CONTENTS

Thirty-eight percent overall revenue growth and 27% organic growth year-over-year

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Adjusted operating profit improvement of 880 basis points reversing a $5M operating loss in Fiscal 2016 to a $7M operating profit in Fiscal 2017

Bookings growth to $189M with each product line contributing to and backlog climbing in excess of $250M

Four acquisitions implemented with accretive impacts

Commercial success in two strategic, high-growth product lines - Informatics and CryoAutomation

Restructuring of the Life Sciences Senior Leadership team and expansion and upgrade of global sales team

Significant customer penetration in China and one year ahead of schedule

Long-Term Incentives

We regularly review the design of our equity incentive plan to assureensure it remains calibrated to our long-term strategic goals while providing the appropriate balance of challenge and motivation.

The HRC Committee engaged Pearl Meyer to assist with the review and enlisted the support of the Company’s Human Resources department. The objectives and process of the review were as follows:
  •Diligence exercise to assist the HRC Committee and management in defining the strongest incentive plan metrics that drive stockholder value;
  •Internal Review: Subjective analysis and discussion on current metrics linkage and alignment to specific strategic criteria;
  •External Review: Benchmarking of our incentive plan metrics alignment to our compensation peer group and review of achievement results and payouts over several years; and
  •Determination of incentive metrics and design for upcoming PBVC and LTIP awards.

The HRC Committee presented the conclusions from the review to the full Board. In summary, the review reinforced our belief that our plan designs as well as metrics and goals are appropriately aligned with prevailing peer practices. The HRC Committee and the Board also concluded that the metrics and incentive plan designs are closely tied to our business strategy for both the short and long term and have served the stockholders well in delivering value.
Each of our named executive officers received award grants of both time-based and performance-based RSUs in Fiscal 2017.

fiscal 2023.

We use performance-based RSUs for the majority (75%) of our equity grants.

Following two years (Fiscal 2013, Fiscal 2014)grants and measure performance at the end of using one-year performance measures with extended vesting of any earned awards, we adopted a hybrid plan for Fiscal 2015 that featured two metrics with one-year performance measures and two metrics witheach three-year measurement periods. We were using one-year measurement periods previouslyLTIP period.

Similar to assist in addressingour annual PBVC, the volatility inherentHRC Committee has been very consistent in the semiconductor industry andselection of metrics for the difficultyLTIP that are in setting meaningful targets over extended periods. For Fiscal 2016 and 2017,support of our long-term strategy. We believe this consistency helps focus the executives on achieving the financial results that we moved entirely to 3-year measurements. believe will drive stockholder value.
The financial metrics for the Fiscal 2017fiscal 2021 LTIP are comprised of cumulative Adjusted Operating Profit, cumulative Free Cash Flow, and three-year average ROIC, each equally weighted. In fiscal year 2022, Adjusted EBITDA replaced adjusted operating profit (40% weight), cumulative free cash flow (40% weight) and average return on invested capital (20% weight). All threeOperating Profit. The financial metrics will be measured against 3-year performance goals for the fiscal 2017-2019 performance period.2023 LTIP are comprised of cumulative Adjusted operating profit is a key performance indicator that motivatesEBITDA, cumulative Free Cash Flow, and rewards sustained growth in profit. Free cash flow, which will provide for funding of growth initiatives focused on new product development and acquisitions, is also an important metric. Return on invested capital is a key financial metric, as it focuses executives on a forward looking, disciplined approach to capital investment in optimizing shareholder return. This metric will measure effective capital deployment in internal organic investments and acquisitions with accretive returns.

three-year average ROIC, each equally weighted.

We have selected these metrics because we believe:
  •Adjusted EBITDA is a key performance indicator that motivates, and rewards sustained growth in profit, and demands a longer-term management focus on business operations and profitability;
  •Free Cash Flow will provide funding for growth initiatives, focused on new product development and acquisitions, and is a key indicator of overall company performance with a strong management line of sight; and
  •ROIC is a key financial metric, as it focuses executives on a forward looking, disciplined approach to capital investment in optimizing stockholder return. This metric will measure effective capital deployment in internal organic investments and acquisitions with accretive returns.
Grant Process

The value of each year’s LTIP equity grant for the CEO and our other named executive officers is based on a variety of factors including market and peer group data as provided by Pearl Meyer, the ability of the executive to impact long-term shareholderstockholder value, the executive’s prior contributions and performance and the currentcurrently outstanding equity grants held by the executive. For executive officers,our Chief Executive Officer, this translates into a projected equity value to target cash compensation ratio generally ranging from 2.0 to 3.0 and for our executive officers, a range between 1.0 to 1.5.and 1.5 of total cash compensation. A combination of performance and time-based RSUs are used.used as part of our LTIP. Performance-based RSUs are intended to focus and align management leadership toon increasing share value and

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement36


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profitable Company growth, while time-based RSUs help promote retention of key leadership talent.

For fiscal 2023 grants approved in November 2022, the HRC Committee increased Dr. Schwartz’s grant value to recognize his critical role in the execution of the Company’s life sciences strategy and to more competitively position him within the life sciences peer market. Increases to the remaining four named executives were made for similar reasons.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  43

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The following table shows grant date value for the fiscal 2022 and 2023 LTIPs.
LTIP Grant Date Value
(In thousands)
Grant Date
Fiscal 2023
11/17/22
Fiscal 2022
11/15/21
Fiscal 2021
11/13/20
Executive
Stephen S. Schwartz
$4,500
$3,500
$3,000
Lindon G. Robertson
$1,500
$1,300
$1,150
Robin Vacha
$900
$800
$750
Jason W. Joseph
$900
$750
$650
David C. Gray
$750
$650
$525
Equity Plan Analysis
The most recent Pearl Meyer executive pay analysis, completed in September 2017,2023, noted that Brooks’our dilution (total number of shares outstanding under the equity compensation programs as a percentage of the most recent fiscal year’s common shares outstanding) remained at 1.4% was below the 30th25th percentile of our 20172023 compensation peer group. Our Share Burn Rate,annual share burn rate, which is the sum of options and full-value shares granted divided by weighted average basic shares outstanding (where all options and full valuefull-value shares (100%) are counted equally) was 0.85% and 0.55% for our three-year average of 1.5%as shown in Fiscal 2017 was slightly above the 50thchart below. These figures are below the 25th percentile of our peer group. ThisWe believe that this judicious use of equity awards affords the HRC Committee flexibility in incenting strategic initiativesproviding incentives to executives to drive executive behaviors.

Fiscal Years 2015-2017 LTIP

Guided by the Company’s fiscal year end 2017 business model and strategy, and utilizing the financial targets from the model, we selected four performance metrics and goals for our long-term incentive plan (LTIP) for Fiscal 2015 in November 2014. The metrics were selected basedstrategic initiatives.

graphic
Impact of Business Separation Announcement on the following:Outstanding LTIPs for fiscal 2021-2023
As previously disclosed, following the announcement in September 2021 that we had agreed to sell our semiconductor automation business to Thomas H. Lee Partners, L.P., the Board began reviewing assorted options for a fair and equitable way to address outstanding LTIP awards. The HRC Committee defined several objectives to guide them in crafting a solution. These included:
  •Maintaining incentive and motivational value of the originally constructed plan
  •Providing fair recognition for the achievements accomplished through the two-year LTIP as of the end of fiscal 2021
  •Minimizing any potential windfall situations
  •Retaining the same schedule of performance- or time-based vesting originally intended in the plan
  •Replacing the approved LTIP (2021-2023) with revised goals for the remaining two years of the plan that measured performance solely based on the Life Sciences businesses
44 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Metric

Strategic Objective

Weighting

Measurement

Period

Vesting

Threshold

(000)

Target

(000)

Maximum

(000)

Results

Life Sciences
Revenue

To continue growth and deliver value from our life sciences business

30%

Fiscal Year 2015

50% FYE 2016
50% FYE 2017

$75M

$88M

$100M

<$75MM all shares forfeited

Adjusted Gross Margin

Continue gross margin improvement to drive profits performance at all points in the industry cycle

30%

Fiscal Year 2015

50% FYE 2016
50% FYE 2017

36%

38%

40%

<36% all shares forfeited

Cumulative Free
Cash Flow

To assure funding for growth initiatives with new product development and acquisition activity

30%

Fiscal Year 2015 – Fiscal 2017

100% FYE 2017

$100M

$135M

$200M

$137.8M 

 

To subsidize industry down cycles

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Alternative uses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ROIC 3 Year Average

Assure investments are returning value to our shareholders

10%

Fiscal Year 2015 – Fiscal 2017

100% FYE 2017

4.0%

6.4%

9.0%

6.5% 

 

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

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At

Following considerable deliberation and consideration of alternatives and working with management and the end ofHRC Committee’s independent consultant, the 2015HRC Committee recommended, and the Board approved the following:
Fiscal 2021 – 2023 LTIP (Completed on September 30, 2023)
The fiscal year, we determined that our Life Science Systems revenue and gross margin were below threshold levels of performance so the combined 60% of performance RSUs associated with the2021 LTIP metrics for the 2015 Fiscal Year measurement period were forfeited. For the three-year metrics, our strong performance in Fiscal 2017 resulted in ourare cumulative Adjusted Operating Profit, cumulative Free Cash Flow, metric and a three-year average of our ROIC, metric slightly exceedingall equally weighted. Each quarter at their regularly scheduled meetings, the three-yearHRC Committee and full Board review the Company’s financial results to date and forecast for the remaining fiscal year period against the goals providing for a vesting percentage of 104.63%each plan.
Following the separation of the grant attributedCompany’s businesses in December 2021, one year of actual results had been recorded and two years of performance measurement remained with the Fiscal 2021-2023 LTIP. At that time, the HRC Committee agreed to measure the two metrics. Our Named Executive Officers received the following shares as a resultachievement factor of the goal achievement.

 

Original Grant

 

 

 

Name

Total Units

RSUs

Granted PSUs

Forfeited PSUs

Remaining PSUs

(vest 11/8/17)

Total PSUs Earned

(vest 11/8/17)

Steve S. Schwartz

160,000

40,000

120,000

(72,000)

48,000

50,222

Maurice H. Tenney

75,000

18,750

56,250

(33,750)

22,500

23,541

Lindon G. Robertson

75,000

18,750

56,250

(33,750)

22,500

23,541

David E. Jarzynka

45,000

11,250

33,750

(20,250)

13,500

14,125

David C. Gray

42,000

10,500

31,500

(18,900)

12,600

13,183

Fiscal Years 2016 - 2018 LTIP

From our shareholder outreach, we learned that the large majority of our shareholders preferred a long-term incentive plan that is focused on achieving goals consistent with our longer-term strategy. Based on these preferences, we adopted a Plan in Fiscal 2016 that uses only three-year performance measures.

For Fiscal 2016, the LTIP again was designed to assure that our metrics and goals were consistent with our longer-term growth strategies. Our growth strategy is based on the following tenets:

Extend leadership in core Semiconductor and adjacent markets

Advance the rapid growthusing two years of the Life Sciences division

Drive margin expansion

Exercise disciplined capital deployment

previously approved combined businesses forecast along with the one year (fiscal 2021) of actual results, capped at a maximum of 150%. The financial metrics are comprised of adjusted operating profit (40% weight), life sciences revenue (40% weight)performance achievement was determined to exceed the cap and return on invested capital (20% weight). All three financial metrics will be measured against 3-year performance goals for the fiscal 2016-2018 performance period. Adjusted operating profit is a key performance indicator that motivates and rewards sustained growth in profit. Growing revenue in the life sciences business is a key element of our business strategy for achieving growth, diversifying our business to a less cyclical model and achieving greater margins. We are intent on improving the results of our “return” metrics as we continue to grow revenue from the companies we have acquired over the past several years. Accordingly, we increased the weighting on return on invested capital to 20% from 10% in Fiscal 2015 in recognitiontherefore one-third of the importanceperformance share award was banked at 150%.

LTIP 2021 - 2023 Financial Achievement (one year actual, two year forecast of this key indicatorcombined businesses – “Banked” achievement of one-third of the success of our growth focused investments.

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FINANCIALOBJECTIVESFISCAL2016-2018LTIP

award)
Long Term Incentive Plan Objectives – Fiscal 2021 - 2023 LTIP
Strategic
Objective(1)
Weighting
Measurement
Time Frame
Metrics
Threshold
25% of
Award
Target
100% of
Award
Maximum
200% of
Award
Results
Weighted %
of Target
Earned(5)
Adjusted Operating Profit(2)
33.3%
3 Years
Cumulative
Adjusted Operating
Profit
$425M
$560M
$725M
$870M
66%
Free Cash Flow(3)
33.3%
3 Years
Cumulative FCF
$300M
$400M
$575M
$498M
51%
ROIC(4)
33.3%
3 Years
3-year-average
ROIC
9.0%
12.0%
18.0%
16.4%
58%
Total
100%
 
 
 
 
Calculated Earned
Payout
175.7%
Earned Payout
Capped at 150%
150.0%

Long Term Incentive Plan Objectives – LTIP 2016 - 2018

(1)
Goals exclude the impact of any acquisitions and divestitures over the three-year measurement period.

Strategic Objective

(2)

Weighting

 Measurement

Time Frame

 Metrics

 Threshold

25% of Award

 Target 100%

of Award

Maximum

+200% of

Award

Adjusted Operating Profit(1)

40%

3 Year

Cumulative
Adjusted Operating Profit 2016 - 2018

*

*

*

Life Sciences Revenue(2)

40%

3 Years

FY18 Life Sciences
Revenue

*

*

*

ROIC: (with acquisitions)(3)

20%

3 Years

3 year average ROIC

*

*

*

Definitions:

(1)

Adjusted Operating Profit: Cumulative Pre-tax Operatingcumulative pre-tax operating income before special charges; excludes: (1)(a) amortization expense; (2)(b) purchase accounting adjustments; (3)(c) restructuring expenses; (4)(d) interest income; (5)(e) other income; (6) JV(f) joint venture income; (7)(g) other items that may be excluded from adjustmentAdjusted EPS.

(2)

Life Sciences Revenue: Total reported revenues of Life Sciences segment for FY 2018.

(3)


Free Cash Flow: cumulative operating cash flow less capital expenditures.
(4)
ROIC: GAAP income minus interest (after tax) as a percentage of average net assets, excluding cash and net deferred taxes. Each year’s average ROIC is equally weightedweighted: (Y1 + Y2 + Y3)/3

3.
(5)
Earned Payout of 150% applied to FY21 only. One third of the award was banked at 150%. FY22 & F23 were assessed based on new financial goals based on a life sciences only company.
In addition, the HRC Committee approved a new two-year LTIP covering the fiscal years 2022 and 2023 to measure performance achievement for the remaining two-thirds of the original performance share units granted under the fiscal 2021 – fiscal 2023 LTIP. The same metrics were used with revised goals reflecting the Life Sciences businesses only. The goals for this LTIP were established based on a forecast that reflected a more robust macroenvironment and higher sales growth and profitability. Return on Invested Capital, Adjusted EBITDA, and Free Cash Flow underperformed relative to the plan and forecast, and thus resulted in under performance.
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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Measurement of the two-thirds remaining shares occurred after the fiscal 2023 year end, and we determined that the threshold goals for each of the three metrics had not been reached and the remaining two-thirds performance shares granted to the named executive officers were forfeited. The goals are shown below:
LTIP 2022 - 2023 Financial Results (life sciences business only – two-thirds original award)
Long Term Incentive Plan Objectives – Fiscal 2022 - 2023 LTIP
Strategic
Objective(1)
Weighting
Measurement
Time Frame
Metrics
Threshold
25% of
Award
Target
100% of
Award
Maximum
200% of
Award
Results
Weighted %
of Target
Earned
Adjusted Operating Profit(2)
33.3%
2 Years
Cumulative
Adjusted Operating
Profit
$115M
$141M
$200M
Below Threshold
0%
Free Cash Flow(3)
33.3%
2 Years
Cumulative FCF
$65M
$90M
$125M
Below Threshold
0%
ROIC(4)
33.3%
2 Years
2-year-average ROIC
2.0%
4.5%
9.0%
Below Threshold
0%
Total
100%
 
 
 
 
 
 
0%
(1)
Goals exclude the impact of any acquisitions and divestitures over the two-year measurement period.
(2)
Adjusted Operating Profit: cumulative pre-tax operating income before special charges; excludes: (a) amortization expense; (b) purchase accounting adjustments; (c) restructuring expenses; (d) interest income; (e) other income; (f) joint venture income; (g) other items that may be excluded from Adjusted EPS.
(3)
Free Cash Flow: cumulative operating cash flow less capital expenditures.
(4)
ROIC: GAAP income minus interest (after tax) as a percentage of average net assets, excluding cash and net deferred taxes. Each year’s average ROIC is equally weighted: (Y1 + Y2 + Y3)/3.
Fiscal 2022-2024 LTIP and Fiscal Year 2023-2025 LTIP
In fiscal year 2022, Free Cash Flow and ROIC continued to be used as metrics for the PSUs. Adjusted Operating Profit was replaced with Adjusted EBITDA as it was deemed an appropriate metric for assessing long-term profitable growth. The fiscal 2022-2024 three year LTIP metrics approved in November 2021, are cumulative Adjusted EBITDA, cumulative Free Cash Flow, and a three-year average of our ROIC, all equally weighted. The Committee adopted the same metrics with updated goals the following year in November 2022. Each quarter at their regularly scheduled meetings, the HRC Committee and full Board review the Company’s financial results to date and forecast for the remaining fiscal year period against the goals for each plan. Results and goals are disclosed at the end of each three-year plan.
LTIP FINANCIAL METRICS FISCAL 2022-2024 and FISCAL 2023-2025
Strategic Objective(1)
Weighting
Measurement
Time Frame
Metrics
Threshold
25% of Award
Target 100%
of Award
Maximum
200%of
Award
ROIC(2)
33.3%
3 Years
3–year–average ROIC
*

*
*
Free Cash Flow(3)
33.3%
3 Years
Cumulative Free Cash Flow
*
*
*
Adjusted EBITDA(4)
33.3%
3 Years
Adjusted EBITDA
*
*
*
(1)
Goals exclude the impact of any acquisitions and divestitures over the three year measurement period.
(2)
ROIC: GAAP income minus interest (after tax) as a percentage of average net assets, excluding cash and net deferred taxes. Each year’s average ROIC is equally weighted: (Y1 + Y2 + Y3)/3.
(3)
Free Cash Flow: Cumulative operating cash flow less capital expenditures.
(4)
Adjusted EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Net Income that adds back interest expenses, taxes, and depreciation charges, plus other adjustments.
*
We do not publicly disclose our goals during the performance periods due to the proprietary and competitive sensitivity of the information. We believe these goals to be consistent with our philosophy of establishing aggressive but achievable targets, and after two years’ and one year’s results, respectively, participants are on trackmotivated to achieve the targets.

targets for the LTIP.
46 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement


Special Equity Incentive Grant

Following a significant restructuring of the Company in April 2016 that was designed to streamline operational processes and flatten the organization with the elimination of over 100 positions including five executive level positions, a special RSU grant with a three year vesting cycle was made to a broad base of primarily non-executive key contributors in May 2016. This grant was designed to retain key performers and to recognize them for prior contributions.

Coincident with this restructuring, we promoted Mr. Jarzynka to Senior Vice President and General Manager of the entire semiconductor product and services businesses, and we provided him with a special grant of 30,000 RSU’s, 40% of which is performance-based and tied to achievement of Fiscal 2017 adjusted Gross Margin targets for the semiconductor business, and 60% which is time-based that vest over a three year period. As a result of our gross margin performance in the semiconductor segment, Mr. Jarzynka earned 89.1%, or 10,692 of the 12,000 performance-based RSUs awarded to him in May, 2016. He vested 50% in these shares on November 8, 2017 and in the remaining 50% if employed by Brooks on November 8, 2018.

Fiscal Years 2017 - 2019 LTIP

Having established a cadence with our prior three year LTIP (FY 2016 - 2018) using three-year measurement of goals and focusing on longer-term metrics tied to our business strategy and model, the HRC Committee and Board of Directors approved a Plan comprised of cumulative adjusted operating profit (40% weight) average return on invested capital (20% weight) and cumulative free cash flow (40% weight). The adjusted operating profit and return on invested capital have been staples of our recent LTI Plans. The free cash flow metric had previously been a metric used in our annual cash PBVC incentive plan. The HRC Committee believed this metric is better suited for longer-term measurement and consistent with our growth strategy of generating sufficient cash from our businesses to reinvest in additional opportunities. Each metric’s goal was substantially increased from prior years achievement.

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FINANCIALOBJECTIVESFISCAL2017-2019LTIP

Long Term Incentive Plan Objectives – LTIP 2017 - 2019

Strategic Objective

Weighting

 Measurement

Time Frame

 Metrics

 Threshold

25% of Award

 Target 100%

of Award

Maximum

+200% of

Award

Adjusted Operating Profit(1)

40%

3 Year

Cumulative
Adjusted Operating Profit (2017 - 2019)

*

*

*

Free Cash Flow(2)

40%

3 Years

Cumulative Free Cash Flow (2017-2019)

*

*

*

ROIC: (with acquisitions)(3)

20%

3 Years

3 year average ROIC

*

*

*

Definitions:

(1)

Adjusted Operating Profit: Cumulative Pre-tax Operating income before special charges; excludes: (1) amortization expense; (2) purchase accounting adjustments; (3) restructuring expenses; (4) interest income; (5) other income; (6) JV income; (7) other items that may be excluded from adjustment EPS.

(2)

Free Cash Flow: Operating Cash Flow less capital expenditures.

(3)

ROIC: GAAP income minus interest (after tax) as a percentage of average net assets, excluding cash and net deferred taxes. Each year’s average ROIC is equally weighted (Y1 + Y2 + Y3)/3

*

We do not publicly disclose our goals during the performance periods due to the proprietary and competitive sensitivity of the information. We believe these goals to be consistent with our philosophy of establishing aggressive but achievable targets and after one year’s results, participants are on track to achieve the targets.

Fiscal 2018 Incentive Compensation ProgramTABLE OF CONTENTS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Changes to our Fiscal 2018 PBVC and LTIP

For Fiscal 2018, the financial metrics in our PBVC will again be based on adjusted gross margin (25% weight), revenue (25% weight) and adjusted earnings per share (50% weight). The individual strategic objective component of the PBVC has been eliminated in favor of payment based on all financial goals and we reallocated the percentage of each financial metric as a result of this change. While most of the prior year’s individual objectives had a financial measure, the Committee believes the individual objectives should remain part of the Company’s performance management process and the PBVC achievement for named executive officers be wholly based on performance against the strategic metrics adopted.

We have again established 3-year measurements in our LTIP. The financial metrics are comprised of cumulative adjusted operating profit (33% weight), cumulative free cash flow (33% weight) and return on invested capital (34% weight). All three financial metrics will be measured against 3-year performance goals for the fiscal 2018-2020 performance period. Adjusted operating profit is a key performance indicator that motivates and rewards sustained growth in profit. Growing free cash flow is a key element of our business strategy for providing cash for our growth strategy. We are again measuring an increased return on invested capital goal in recognition of the importance of this key indicator of the success of our investments in our acquisitions and innovative organic products.

Other Compensation and Policies

Stock ownership guidelines require that within five years of thetheir hire date, executive officers, including our named executive officers Dr.Drs. Schwartz and Gray and Messrs. Robertson, Tenney, JarzynkaJoseph, and Dr. Gray,Vacha, acquire and maintain beneficial ownership of BrooksAzenta shares at different multiples of salary depending upon position. Beneficially owned shares are defined as shares that are vested or purchased. Shares that are granted and not yet vested do not count towards the ownership requirement. The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer haveCEO has an ownership requirementsrequirement of five (5)six (6) times andbase salary. The CFO has an ownership requirement of three (3) times base salary, respectively.salary. The remaining positions covered by the policy have ownership requirements of two (2) times base salary. AtAs of the end of Fiscal 2017,fiscal 2023, Dr. Schwartz has exceeded his five (5)six (6) times ownership requirement; Mr. Robertson has exceeded his three (3) times ownership requirement; Mr. Joseph, Dr. Gray and the remaining named executive officers alsoMr. Vacha have exceeded theirthe two (2) times base salary requirement. The guidelines cease to apply to any executive officer after termination of their employment.

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The HRC Committee has assessed the risk profile of its compensation program to monitor whether any element of paycompensation or any policy encouraged inappropriate or unacceptable risk to the Company.Company on an annual basis. The HRC Committee is provided with a series of Company analytical factors which focus upon several key areas of our compensation program, including:including external market reference; pay mix; range and sensitivity of our PBVC and long-term incentive plans;LTIP; selection of performance metrics; goal setting process; and our checks and balances on the payment of compensation. ThisWe believe this provides a process to ensure that an appropriate balance between prudent business risk and resulting compensation is being maintained.

The HRC Committee believes our policies and procedures achieve this balance. The Company also has clawback provisions in place as discussed in more detail below, as well as stock ownership guidelines to further align the executive’sexecutives’ interests with thatthose of our shareholders.stockholders. The HRC Committee regularly monitors the executives’ progress against our stock ownership guidelines. The HRC Committee believes our policies and rewards structure appropriately balancebalances the creation of long-term value with shorter-term positive results.

Clawback Provisions

Clawback provisions which apply to the chief executive officerCEO and chief financial officerCFO are contained in employment agreements and/or offer letters and are consistent with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. These provisions govern the recoupment of annual and long-term incentive compensation in the event of an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance by the Company that results from misconduct or gross negligence relating to any financial reporting requirements. In November 2013, the Board approved an incentive compensation recoupment policy that applies to all executive officers (including the chief executive officerCEO and the chief financial officer)CFO), which is applicable to incentive-based compensation (such as the PBVC and performance-based restricted stock units)RSUs) awarded to executive officers after the adoption of the policy. Pursuant to the policy, in the event that we are required to prepare an accounting restatement due to material noncompliance with financial reporting requirements, we will use reasonable efforts to recover any amount in excess of what would have been paid to such executive officers (or such former executive officers) whose intentional misconduct caused or contributed to the need for the restatement under the accounting restatement for any such incentive-based compensation during the three-year period preceding the restatement.

Following the end of the fiscal 2023, the Company reviewed and updated its recoupment policy in compliance with the SEC’s and the Nasdaq Stock Market’s recent adoption of new rules with respect to the clawback of incentive compensation.
Employment Agreements

We currently have an employment agreement with Dr. Schwartz. The agreement provides for, among other things, a specified annual base salary and the target variable compensation award based on performance. It also provides that he will be entitled to severance of one year’s base salary and continued participation in benefit plans if his employment is terminated by us without “cause” or if he resigns for “good reason”.reason.” Severance and benefits are continued on a payroll to payrollpayroll-to-payroll basis if he remains unemployed following the initial twelve months of payment up to an additional twelve months. More information can be found under the section “Post Employment Benefits”.

Messrs.“Post-Employment Benefits.”

Mr. Robertson Tenney and Jarzynka and Dr. Gray have eachhas entered into an offer lettersletter that stipulatestipulates the terms and conditions of theirhis employment with the Company.us. In June 2015, we modified the original offer lettersletter to Mr. Robertson and Mr. Tenney to provide for the same severance provisions as Dr. Schwartz (one year’s base salary and benefits and up to an additional 12 months ifso long as the executive remains unemployed). In November 2016September 2023, we modifiedannounced that Mr. Robertson was retiring as our Chief Financial Officer but would remain as an advisor to ensure a smooth transition to our new Chief Financial Officer, Herman Cueto. In December 2023, we entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Robertson pursuant to which we agreed he would remain in the offer lettersposition of Advisor to the CEO through February 16, 2024, at which time he will cease his employment with us. Mr. Jarzynka and Dr. GrayRobertson will continue to provide severance pay of six monthsreceive his current base salary while employed, and benefits and up to an additional six monthsupon his departure he will be entitled receive a pro rata portion of severance and benefits if the executive remains unemployed.his potential cash bonus for fiscal year 2024. We believe these changes are appropriate as they reflect customary market practice for executives and provide our executives with the proper focus when analyzing potential transactions.

Dr. Gray has entered into an offer letter that stipulates the terms and conditions of his employment with us. In November 2016, we modified the original offer letter to Dr. Gray to provide for severance provisions of six months base salary and benefits and up to an additional 6 months so long as the executive remains unemployed. We believe these changes are appropriate as they reflect customary
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  47

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
market practice for executives and provide our executives with the proper focus when analyzing potential transactions.
Change-In-Control and Non-Compete Agreements

We currently have provisions within our stockequity award agreements that provide for accelerated vesting at target in the event of a double-trigger change in control (termination of employment without “cause” or resignation for “good reason” within a year following or six months prior to a change-in-control).

In June 2015, we extended the double-trigger change in control provisions to our severance and benefits arrangements with Dr. Schwartz and Messrs.Mr. Robertson and Tenney and increased the protected termination period following a change in control to two years. Dr. Gray subsequently received the same provisions in November 2016. The arrangement includes:

  •Cash severance, payable bi-weekly, equal to two times the amount of their current base salary and annual target bonus
  •A lump sum payment to cover the approximate cost of the Company’s portion of premiums for coverage under their welfare benefit plans for two years following termination
  •Fully accelerated vesting of all unvested equity awards including any performance-based awards that have not yet been earned calculated at the target award amount

Cash severance, payable bi-weekly, equal to two times the amount of their current base salary and annual target bonus

A lump sum payment to cover the approximate cost of the Company’s portion of premiums for coverage under their welfare benefit plans for two years following termination

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In exchange for the change in control agreement, we entered into a non-competition agreement with Dr. Schwartz and Messrs.Mr. Robertson and Tenney where each executive agreesagreed that during the term of the agreement and for 12 months following termination for any reason, the executive:

  •Shall not work or invest in any business that is competitive with Azenta
  •Shall not solicit for employment any employee of Azenta or solicit a customer (within the last two years) of Azenta

Shall not work or invest in any business that is competitive with Brooks

Shall not solicit for employment any employee of the Company or solicit a customer (within the last two years) of the Company

In November 2016 we extended the Change-In-Control provisions and Non-Compete Agreements to Mr. Jarzynka and Dr. Gray on the same basis as described for Dr. Schwartz, Mr. Robertson, and Mr. Tenney.

Indemnification Agreements

We entered into an indemnification agreement at the time of hire with our chiefCEO and our other named executive officer.officers. The indemnification agreement provides that we will pay amounts incurred in connection with any civil or criminal action or proceeding, specifically including actions by or in the Company’s name where the involvement is by reason of the fact that he or she is or was an officer. Such amounts include, to the maximum extent permitted by law, attorney’s fees, judgments, civil or criminal fines, settlement amounts, and other expenses customarily incurred in connection with legal proceedings. Under the indemnification agreement, the chief executive officer will receive indemnification unless he or she is adjudged not to have acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of Brooks.

Azenta.

Tax Considerations

Deductibility

Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) providesby the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, restricts deductibility for federal income tax purposes of annual individual compensation in excess of $1 million to our named executive officers, effective for tax years beginning after 2017, subject to a transition rule for written binding contracts which were in effect on November 2, 2017, and which were not modified in any material respect on or after such date. In the past, Section 162(m)’s deductibility limitation was subject to an exception for compensation that qualified as performance-based. Certain of our compensation programs were designed to permit us to qualify for the $1,000,000 deductibility limit for performance-based exception, although the Company reserved the right to pay compensation if certain procedural requirements, including shareholder approval of the material terms of the performance goals, are satisfied. Prior to Fiscal 2016, compensation paid under our performance-based variable compensation frameworkthat did not qualify foras “performance-based.” While the exception for performance-basedHRC Committee has considered the deductibility of compensation as a factor in making compensation decisions, it has retained the framework wasflexibility to provide compensation that is consistent with the Company’s goals for its executive compensation program, even if such compensation would not approved by our shareholders. At our 2016 Annual Meeting, our shareholders approved the Executive Performance-Based Variable Compensation Plan which now permits us to grant our performance-based variable compensation in compliance with Section 162(m) of the Code. Since then, our bonuses have been granted pursuant to this Plan. In addition, our executives receive RSU awards that provide for time-based vesting which do not qualify for the exception from the deductibility limitation of Section 162(m). However, we believe our performance-based RSU awards qualify for the exception for performance-based compensation beginning with our Fiscal 2014 equity grants.

be fully tax-deductible.

Section 280G and related sections of the Internal Revenue Code provide that executive officers and directors who hold significant stockholder interests and certain other service providers could be subject to significant additional taxes if they receive payments or benefits that exceed certain limits in connection with a change in control event, and that we could lose a deduction on the amounts subject to the additional tax. We have not provided any executive officer, including Dr. Schwartz, with a commitment to gross up or reimburse other tax amounts that the executive might pay pursuant to Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code. In January 2010, the Board of Directors voted that it would not make any gross-up or tax reimbursement commitments to any executives.

Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code also imposes additional significant taxes on an executive officer, director or service provider who receives “deferred compensation” that does not meet the requirements of Section 409A. To assist in the avoidance of additional tax under Section 409A, we intend to structure equity awards and other deferred compensation payments in a manner to comply with the applicable Section 409A requirements.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement42

48 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

Back to ContentsTABLE OF CONTENTS

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Human Resources and Compensation Committee Report

To The Stockholders:

Stockholders of Azenta, Inc.:

The Human Resources and Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on its review and discussions with management, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

Respectfully submitted,

Human Resources and Compensation Committee

as of September 30, 2017

2023

Ellen M. Zane, Chairman
Chair
Robyn C. Davis
Kirk P. Pond

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement43


Michael Rosenblatt
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  49

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The following table sets forth certain information concerning compensation of each named executive officer during the fiscal years indicated below:
Name and
Principal Position
Fiscal
Year
Salary
Bonus
Stock
Awards(1)
Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation(2)
All Other
Compensation
Total
Stephen S. Schwartz
2023
$750,000
$4,500,037
$289,575
$14,850(3)
$5,554,462
President and
Chief Executive Officer
2022
$742,308
$3,500,031
$412,314
$13,725
$4,668,377
2021
$711,731
$3,000,067
$1,565,808
$13,050
$5,290,656
Lindon G. Robertson
2023
$525,000
$1,500,032
$184,275
$14,850(3)
$2,224,157
Former Executive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer(6)
2022
$525,000
$200,000(4)
$1,300,041
$264,758
$13,725
$2,303,523
2021
$518,365
$1,150,016
$777,548
$13,050
$2,458,979
Jason W. Joseph
2023
$431,923
$900,043
$98,543
$13,661(3)
$1,444,170
Senior Vice President, General
Counsel/Corporate Secretary
2022
$403,846
$100,000(4)
$750,072
$132,631
$15,268
$1,401,817
2021
$382,404
$650,039
$373,781
$13,546
$1,419,770
Robin Vacha
2023
$422,308
$900,043
$96,350
$14,694(3)
$1,433,395
Senior Vice President,
Global Operations
2022
$410,385
$800,069
$59,729
$13,621
$1,283,804
2021
$386,731
$750,034
$377,063
$14,635
$1,528,193
David C. Gray
2023
$400,000
$750,046
$84,240
$13,846(3)
$1,248,132
Senior Vice President,
Chief Strategy and New Business Officer(7)
2022
$395,385
$650,078
$119,810
$13,488
$1,178,760
2021
$381,962
$525,044
$344,112
$14,183(5)
$1,265,301
(1)
Awards consist of restricted stock unit (RSU) awards. In November 2022, the Company issued both time-based and performance-based RSUs under our Fiscal Year 2023 - 2025 Long-Term Incentive Plan to each of the named executive officers. The value of the awards are based on the fair value as of the grant date calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The grant date fair value of the performance-based RSUs assuming the maximum potential value is achieved is $6,750,000 for Dr. Schwartz; $2,250,000, for Mr. Robertson; $1,350,000 for Mr. Joseph and Mr. Vacha; and $1,125,000 for Dr. Gray.
(2)
Amounts consist of cash incentive compensation awards earned for services rendered in the relevant fiscal year under the Company’s Performance-Based Variable Compensation Plan.
(3)
Represents amounts paid or accrued by the Company in matching contributions under the Company’s qualified 401(k) plan on behalf of Dr. Schwartz, Mr. Robertson, Mr. Joseph, Mr. Vacha and Dr. Gray.
(4)
Represents special one-time cash payments to Mr. Robertson and Mr. Joseph, paid upon the successful completion of the sale of our semiconductor automation business to Thomas H Lee Partners, L.P., in recognition of their significant contributions to the sale.
(5)
Represents amounts paid or accrued by the Company in matching contributions under the Company’s qualified 401(k) plan on behalf of Dr. Gray along with a $1,000 patent incentive award.
(6)
In September 2023, we announced that Mr. Robertson was retiring as our Chief Financial Officer but would remain as an advisor to ensure a smooth transition to our new Chief Financial Officer, Herman Cueto. In December 2023, we entered into a letter agreement with Mr. Robertson pursuant to which we agreed he would remain in the position of Advisor to the CEO through February 16, 2024, at which time he will cease his employment with us.
(7)
Dr. Gray and the Company mutually agreed that Dr. Gray’s employment with the Company would cease on December 31, 2023.
50 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Name and Principal

Position

Fiscal

Year

Salary

 

 

Bonus

 

 

Stock

Awards(1)

Non-Equity

Incentive Plan

Compensation(2)

 

All Other

Compensation

 

Total

Stephen S. Schwartz

2017

$

625,000

 

$

 

 

$

2,061,640

$

1,195,031

 

$

12,150

(3)

$

3,893,821

  President and

2016

$

625,000

 

$

 

 

$

1,760,800

$

490,625

 

$

12,375

$

2,888,800

  Chief Executive Officer

2015

$

625,000

 

$

 

 

$

1,910,400

$

531,750

 

$

13,850

 

$

3,081,000

Lindon G. Robertson

2017

$

436,250

(9)

$

 

 

$

908,236

$

597,575

 

$

12,150

(4)

$

1,954,211

  Executive Vice President

2016

$

425,000

 

$

 

 

$

795,200

$

314,500

 

$

113,462

$

1,648,163

  & Chief Financial Officer

2015

$

425,000

 

$

 

 

$

895,500

$

361,250

 

$

76,831

 

$

1,758,581

Maurice H. Tenney III

2017

$

432,500

(10)

$

100,000

(5)

$

891,520

$

236,485

 

$

12,150

(6)

$

1,672,655

  President, Brooks

2016

$

425,000

 

$

 

 

$

908,800

$

214,917

 

$

108,223

$

1,656,941

  Life Sciences

2015

$

375,962

 

$

 

 

$

2,094,500

$

102,215

 

$

12,797

 

$

2,585,474

David E. Jarzynka

2017

$

346,250

(11)

$

 

 

$

626,850

$

359,641

 

$

12,719

 

$

1,345,460

  Senior Vice President

2016

$

319,192

 

$

 

 

$

798,300

$

188,044

 

$

12,802

(7)

$

1,318,338

  Brooks Semiconductor

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Solutions Group

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David C. Gray

2017

$

350,000

 

$

 

 

$

487,550

$

287,658

 

$

12,115

 

$

1,137,323

  Senior Vice President,

2016

$

350,000

 

$

 

 

$

511,200

$

157,500

 

$

11,960

(8)

$

1,030,660

  Chief Strategy and

New Business Officer

2015

$

350,000

 

$

 

 

$

501,480

$

178,500

 

$

21,133

 

$

1,051,113

(1) Awards consist of restricted stock unit (RSU) awards. In November 2016, the Board issued both time-based and performance-based RSUs under our Fiscal Year 2017-2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan to each of the named executive officers. The value of an award is based on the fair value as of the grant date calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718 (previously FAS 123R). The grant date fair value of the performance-based RSUs assuming the maximum potential value is achieved is $3,092,460 for Dr. Schwartz; $1,362,354 for Mr. Robertson; $1,337,280 for Mr. Tenney; $940,275 for Mr. Jarzynka and $731,325 for Dr. Gray.

(2) Amounts consist of cash incentive compensation awards earned for services rendered in the relevant fiscal year under the Company’s executive performance-based variable compensation plan.

(3) Represents amounts paid or accrued by the Company on behalf of Dr. Schwartz as follows: $12,150 in matching contributions to Dr. Schwartz’s account under the Company’s qualified 401(k) plan.

(4) Represents amounts paid or accrued by the company on behalf of Mr. Robertson as follows: $12,150 in matching contributions to Mr. Robertson’s account under the Company’s qualified 401k plan.

(5) Amount consists of a special, discretionary, one-time bonus paid to Mr. Tenney.

(6) Represents amounts paid or accrued by the company on behalf of Mr. Tenney as follows: $12,150 in matching contributions to Mr. Tenney’s account under the Company’s qualified 401k plan.

(7) Represents amounts paid by the Company on behalf of Mr. Jarzynka as follows: $12,719 in matching contributions to Mr. Jarzynka’s account under the Company’s qualified 401(k) plan.

(8) Represents amounts paid by the Company on behalf of Dr. Gray as follows: $12,115 in matching contributions to Dr. Gray’s account under the Company’s qualified 401(k) plan.

(9) Mr. Robertson’s base pay was increased from $425,000 to $440,000 effective January 1, 2017.

(10) Mr. Tenney’s base pay was increased from $425,000 to $435,000 effective January 1, 2017.

(11) Mr. Jarzynka’s base pay was increased from $335,000 to $350,000 effective January 1, 2017.

 

COMPENSATION TABLES FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement44


During the fiscal year ended September 30, 20172023, the following plan basedplan-based awards were granted to the named executive officers:

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Non-Equity

Incentive Plan Awards(1)

Estimated Future Payouts

Under Equity Incentive

Plan Awards

All Other

Stock Awards:

Number of

Shares of

Stock or Units

(#)

 

 

 

Name

Grant Date

Target

($)

Maximum

($)

 

Threshold

(#)

Target

(#)

 

Maximum

(#)

Grant Date

Fair Value of

Stock Awards

($)

Stephen S. Schwartz

 

  

$

687,500

$

1,250,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/09/2016

(2) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37,000

 

$

515,410

 

11/09/2016

(3) 

 

 

 

 

 

27,750

111,000

 

222,000

 

 

$

1,546,230

Lindon G. Robertson

 

  

$

440,000

$

616,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/09/2016

(2) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,300

 

$

227,059

 

11/09/2016

(3) 

 

 

 

 

 

12,225

48,900

 

97,800

 

 

$

681,177

Maurice H. Tenney III

 

  

$

326,250

$

456,750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/09/2016

(2) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16,000

 

$

222,880

 

11/09/2016

(3) 

 

 

 

 

 

12,000

48,000

 

96,000

 

 

$

668,640

David E. Jarzynka

 

  

$

262,500

$

367,500

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/09/2016

(2) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11,250

 

$

156,713

 

11/09/2016

(3) 

 

 

 

 

 

8,438

33,750

 

67,500

 

 

$

470,138

David C. Gray

 

  

$

210,000

$

294,000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11/04/2015

(2) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8,750

 

$

121,888

 

11/04/2015

(3) 

 

 

 

 

 

6,563

26,250

 

52,500

 

 

$

365,663

(1)

These grants were made pursuant to a performance-based variable compensation framework for fiscal year 2017 and reflect the target and maximum payouts with respect to fiscal year 2017. Payouts at less than target may be awarded if a threshold level of achievement (less than target achievement) of each performance metric is reached.

(2)

Amount shown is the number of time-based RSUs awarded on November 9, 2016. The RSUs will vest at a rate of one-third of the grant per year on November 15, 2017, November 15, 2018 and November 15, 2019.

(3)

Amount shown is the number of performance-based RSUs awarded on November 9, 2016 that may be earned, in part or in full, based on achieving certain three-year performance targets for the period ending September 30, 2019 and reflect threshold, target and maximum number of RSUs eligible to be earned. Any earned RSUs will vest at the end of the three-year period at the later of date of determination by the Company’s Board of Directors of the achievement attained or November 15, 2019.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement45


Back to Contents

Under the fiscal year 2017 PBVC, participants were eligible to receive a cash bonus based on the achievement against corporate financial targets for adjusted gross margin, revenue and adjusted earnings per share, in each case for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, as well as non-financial individual performance goals for each named executive officer based on an assessment of each executive’s accomplishments at the conclusion of the fiscal year. Payouts for non-financial individual performance goals were predicated upon the Company first realizing a threshold level of revenue and operating income at predetermined targets. On November 8, 2017 the Company’s Board of Directors determined that the Company’s financial performance for the 2017 fiscal year, as well as each named executive officer’s achievement of individual objectives, resulted in the following percentages of target bonus being earned: 174% for Dr. Schwartz, 136% for Mr. Robertson, 73% for Mr. Tenney, 137% for Mr. Jarzynka, and 136% for Mr. Gray.

Under the 2017 - 2019 LTIP, participants were granted an award of RSUs on November 9, 2016, of which 25% vest based on the passage of time with a continuous service requirement of one-third of the grant per year on November 15, 2017, November 15, 2018 and November 15, 2019 and 75% will be earned based on the achievement of Company financial performance metrics, of which 40% will be earned based on cumulative adjusted operating profit over the three-year period, 40% will be earned based on cumulative free cash flow over the three-year period, and 20% will be earned based on average return on invested capital for the three-year period and if earned will vest on the later of the date the achievement is determined by the HRC Committee or November 15, 2018. Each financial metric is weighted and contains a minimum achievement threshold, which if not met would result in no vesting as to that metric’s weighted percentage of RSUs. If the Company’s performance exceeded the target threshold for any metric, the eligible participants could achieve up to 200% of the number of performance-based RSUs.

 
 
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Awards(1)
Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
All Other
Stock Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or Units
(#)
Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock Awards
($)
Name
Grant Date
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
Threshold
(#)
Target
(#)
Maximum
(#)
Stephen S. Schwartz
$825,000
$1,650,000
11/17/2022(2)
18,886
$1,125,039
11/17/2022(3)
14,164
56,656
113,312
$3,374,998
Lindon G. Robertson
$525,000
$787,500
11/17/2022(2)
6,296
$375,053
11/17/2022(3)
4,721
18,885
37,770
$1,124,979
Jason W. Joseph
$280,750
$421,125
11/17/2022(2)
3,778
$225,055
11/17/2022(3)
2,833
11,331
22,662
$674,988
Robin Vacha
$274,500
$411,750
11/17/2022(2)
3,778
$225,055
11/17/2022(3)
2,833
11,331
22,662
$674,988
David C. Gray
$240,000
$360,000
11/17/2022(2)
3,148
$187,526
11/17/2022(3)
2,361
9,443
18,886
$562,520
(1)
These grants were made pursuant to a Performance-Based Variable Compensation Plan for fiscal year 2023 and reflect the target and maximum payouts with respect to fiscal year 2023. Payouts at less than target may be awarded if a threshold level of achievement (less than target achievement) of each performance metric is reached.
(2)
Amount shown is the number of time-based RSUs awarded on November 17, 2022. The RSUs will vest at a rate of one-third of the grant per year on November 15, 2023, November 15, 2024, and November 15, 2025.
(3)
Amount shown is the number of performance-based RSUs awarded on November 17, 2022 that may be earned, in part or in full, based on achieving certain three-year performance targets for the period ending September 30, 2025 and reflect threshold, target and maximum number of RSUs eligible to be earned. Any earned RSUs will vest at the end of the three-year period at the later of the date of determination by the Company’s Board of Directors of the achievement attained on November 15, 2025.

A discussion of the material terms of the named executive officers’ employment arrangements can be found in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included elsewhere in this proxy statement.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement46

AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  51

Back to ContentsTABLE OF CONTENTS

COMPENSATION TABLES FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table

The following table sets forth certain information concerning outstanding equity awards for each named executive officer as of September 30, 2017.2023. There is no information regarding stock options because none of the named executive officers have been granted any stock options.

 

Stock Awards

Name

Number of

Shares or Units of

Stock That Have

Not Vested (#)

 

Market Value of

Shares or Units of

Stock That Have Not

Vested ($)(10)

Number of Equity Incentive

Plan Awards; Number

of Unearned Shares, Units

or Other Rights That

Have Not Vested (#)

 

Equity Incentive Plan

Awards: Market or Payout

Value of Unearned Shares,

Units or Other Rights That

Have Not Vested ($)

Stephen S. Schwartz

13,336

(1) 

$

404,881

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48,000

(2)

$

1,457,280

 

25,834

(3) 

$

784,320

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

116,250

(4) 

$

3,529,350

 

37,000

(5) 

$

1,123,320

 

  

 

 

 

 

  

 

 

111,000

(6) 

$

3,369,960

Lindon G. Robertson

6,251

(1)

$

189,780

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,500

(2)

$

683,100

 

11,667

(3)

$

354,210

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

52,500

(4)

$

1,593,900 

 

16,300 

 (5)

$

494,868 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48,900

(6)

$

1,484,604 

Maurice H. Tenney III

25,000

(7)

$

759,000

 

 

 

 

 

6,251

(1)

$

189,780

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22,500

(2)

$

683,100

 

13,334

(3)

$

404,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

60,000

(4)

$

1,821,600

 

16,000

(5)

$

485,760

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48,000

(6)

$

1,457,280

David E. Jarzynka

3,750

(1)

$

113,850

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,500

(2)

$

409,860

 

7,500

(3)

$

227,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,750

(4)

$

1,024,650

 

11,250

(5)

$

341,550

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,750

(6)

$

1,024,650

 

12,000

(7)

$

364,320

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,000

(9)

$

364,320

David C. Gray

3,500

(1)

$

106,260

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12,600

(2)

$

382,536

 

7,500

(3)

$

227,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33,750

(4)

$

1,024,650

 

8,750

(5)

$

265,650

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26,250

(6)

$

796,950

(1)

The unvested units consist of RSUs granted on November 5, 2014, which vest on November 5, 2017.

(2)

The unvested units consist of RSUs granted on November 5, 2014 that will be earned and vest based on achieving certain performance targets measured over the three-year period ending September 30, 2017. On November 7, 2017, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee determined that the Company’s financial performance over this period resulted in 104.63% or 124,612 shares of the RSUs being earned and vested.

(3)

The unvested units consist of RSUs granted on November 4, 2015, which vest in two equal installments on November 4, 2017 and on November 4, 2018.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement47


Back to Contents

Stock Awards
Name
Number of
Shares or Units of
Stock That
Have Not Vested (#)
Market Value of
Shares or Units of
Stock That
Have Not Vested ($)(1)
Number of Equity Incentive
Plan Awards: Number
of Unearned Shares, Units
or Other Rights That
Have Not Vested (#)
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards: Market or Payout
Value of Unearned Shares,
Units or Other Rights That
Have Not Vested ($)(1)
Stephen S. Schwartz
3,650 (2)
$183,194
38,328(3)
$1,923,682
5,098(4)

$255,869
22,944(5)
$1,151,559
18,886(6)
$947,888
56,656(7)
$2,843,565
Lindon G. Robertson
1,399(2)
$70,216
14,693(3)
$737,442
1,893(4)
$95,010
8,523(3)
$427,769
6,296(6)
$315,996
18,885(7)
$947,838
Jason W. Joseph
790(2)
$39,650
8,305(3)
$416,828
1,092(4)
$54,807
4,917(5)
$246,784
3,778(6)
$189,618
11,331(7)
$568,703
Robin Vacha
912(2)
$45,773
9,583(3)
$480,971
1,165(4)
$58,471
5,245(5)
$263,247
3,778(6)
$189,618
11,331(7)
$568,703
David C. Gray
638(2)
$32,021
6,708(3)
$336,675
946(4)
$47,480
4,262(5)
$213,910
3,148(6)
$157,998
9,443(7)
$473,944
(1)
The market value is calculated using the closing market price of our Common Stock ($50.19) on September 30, 2023, the last business day of the fiscal year. Except as otherwise noted, all performance-based awards are valued at target.
(2)
The unvested units consist of RSUs granted on November 4, 201513, 2020, which vested on November 15, 2023.
(3)
The units consist of RSUs granted on November 13, 2020 that will bewere earned and vestvested based on achieving certain performance targets measured over the three-year period endingended September 30, 2018.2023. In relation to the sale of the semiconductor automation business to Thomas H. Lee Partners L.P., the HRC Committee and the Board approved to measure one third of this award with an achievement factor using two years of the previously approved forecast along with the one year of actual results, subject to a cap of 150% achievement. Because the calculated achievement exceeded the 150% cap, those shares were determined to be banked at 150% achievement and vested on November 15, 2023. In addition, the HRC Committee approved a new two-year LTIP covering the fiscal years 2022 and 2023 to measure performance achievement for the remaining two-thirds of the original performance share units granted under the FY2021 – FY2023 LTIP. The same metrics were used with revised goals reflecting the Life Sciences businesses only. The performance for the two year period fell below threshold resulting in 0% performance achievement. The blended result for the three year period resulted in a 50% of the total RSUs being earned and vested which amounts are reflected in the table above.
52 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

TABLE OF CONTENTS

COMPENSATION TABLES FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
(5)

(4)
The unvested units consist of RSUs granted on November 9, 201615, 2021, which vest in threetwo equal installments on November 15, 2017,2023 and on November 15, 2018 and November 15, 2019.

(6)

2024.

(5)
The unvested units consist of RSUs granted on November 9, 201615, 2021 that will be earned and vest based on achieving certain performance target measured over the three-year period ending September 30, 2019.

(7)

2024.

(6)
The unvested units consist of RSUs granted on November 4, 2014, the last installment of17, 2022 which vestsvest in three equal installments on November 4, 2017

(8)

15, 2023, November 15, 2024 and November 15, 2025.

(7)
The unvested units consist of RSUs granted on May 4, 2016, which vest in two equal installments on May 4, 2018 and May 4, 2019.

(9)

The unvested units consist of RSUs granted on May 4, 2016November 17, 2022 that will be earned and vest based on achieving certain performance targetstarget measured over a one-yearthe three-year period ending September 30, 2017 and vest on or about November 8, 2017 and November 8, 2018. On November 7, 2017, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee determined that the Company’s financial performance over this period resulted in 89.1% of the RSUs or 10,692 sharesbeing earned and vested.

(10) 

The market value is calculated on September 29, 2017 ($30.36), the last business day of the fiscal year. All performance-based awards are valued at target, not maximum.

2025.

Stock Vested Table

The following table sets forth certain information concerning all vesting of restricted stock units for each named executive officer during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.

2023.

 

Stock Awards

Name

Number of Shares

Acquired on Vesting

(#)

Value Realized

on Vesting

($)(1)

Stephen S. Schwartz

132,402

$

2,060,175

Lindon G. Robertson

81,841

$

1,234,446

Maurice H. Tenney III

37,915

$

589,957

David E. Jarzynka

43,355

$

739,404

David C. Gray

43,257

$

673,079

(1)

The value realized equals the closing price of Common Stock on the vesting dates, multiplied by the number of shares that vested.

 
Stock Awards
Name
Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
Value Realized
on Vesting
($)(1)
Stephen S. Schwartz
59,212
$3,360,281
Lindon G. Robertson
24,610
$1,396,618
Jason W. Joseph
13,354
$757,840
Robin Vacha
13,582
$770,779
David C. Gray
12,243
$694,790
(1)
The value realized equals the closing price of our Common Stock on the vesting dates, multiplied by the number of shares that vested.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

None of the Named Executive Officers participate in our Table

Fiscal Year 2023
The Company has established a nonqualified deferred compensation plan.

plan (the “NQDP”) to allow eligible executives and directors to defer a portion of their compensation on a pre-tax basis and receive tax-deferred returns on those deferrals. The NQDP is unfunded for tax purposes and for purposes of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. An additional feature of the NQDP is a supplemental retirement plan, or SERP, in which the Company can choose to make annual contributions to selected executives’ NQDP accounts. No contributions have been made by the Company in this fiscal year.

Name
Executive
Contributions in
Last FY(1)
Aggregate
Earnings in
Last FY(2)
($)
Aggregate
Withdrawals/Distributions(3)
($)
Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE(4)
($)
Lindon G. Robertson
$105,452
$107,600
$798,144
Jason Joseph
$76,350
$90,206
$839,621
Drs. Schwartz and Gray and Mr. Vacha are not participants in the NQDP.
(1)
Represents contributions to the NQDP during fiscal year 2023
(2)
Represents NQDP Gains/(Losses) during fiscal year 2023
(3)
Represents Withdrawals and Distributions during fiscal year 2023
(4)
Represents total NQDP account balance as of September 30, 2023
Pension Benefits

We do not have any qualified or nonqualified defined benefit plans, other than certain plans for international employees. No named executive officer participates in any of those plans.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement48

AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  53

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COMPENSATION TABLES FOR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Post-Employment Benefits

The following table sets forth the estimated payments and benefits that would be provided to each of the Company’s current named executive officers, upon termination or a termination following a change in control. The payments and benefits were calculated assuming that the triggering event took place on September 29, 2017,30, 2023, the last trading day of our fiscal year, and using the closing market price of the Company’s stock on that date ($30.36)50.19).
Name
Event
Salary &
Other Cash
Payment
Health &
Welfare
Contribution
Vesting of
Stock Awards
Total
Stephen S. Schwartz
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason
$750,000(1)
$12,802
$762,802
Change of Control with Termination
$3,150,000(2)
$25,807
$7,305,757(3)
$10,481,564
Lindon G. Robertson
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason
$525,000(1)
$12,098
$537,098
Change of Control with Termination
$2,100,000(2)
$27,400
$2,594,271(3)
$4,721,671
Jason W. Joseph
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason
Change of Control with Termination
$1,516,390(3)
$1,516,390
Robin Vacha
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason
Change of Control with Termination
$1,606,783(3)
$1,606,783
David C. Gray
Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason
$200,000(4)
$19,120
$219,120
Change of Control with Termination
$1,280,000(2)
$38,240
$1,262,028(3)
$2,580,268
(1)
Under the terms of Dr. Schwartz’s employment agreement and the offer letter for Mr. Robertson, if the executive is terminated by the Company without cause, or if he resigns for good reason, the Company shall pay an amount equal to one year’s current base salary, paid in bi-weekly payments as severance in salary continuation and an amount equal to the pro rata incentive bonus for the completed portion of the current annual pay period (for purposes of this table, we have assumed each executive received his bonus for the fiscal year). During the salary continuation period, the Company will continue to pay the employer portion of the cost of the health insurance plans in which the executive was a participant as of the termination date. If he has not found a full-time comparable executive position with another employer during the initial salary continuation period, the Company will extend the bi-weekly salary on a payroll to payroll basis until the earlier to occur of (A) one additional year (26 additional bi-weekly payments) or (B) the date he secures full-time employment. For purposes of this table, we have assumed the executive will find a full-time comparable executive position with another employer during the initial salary continuation period.
(2)
Under the terms of the Change in Control Agreement with each of Drs. Schwartz and Gray and Mr. Robertson, if the executive is terminated without cause, or resigns for good reason, within two years following or the six month period prior to a Change in Control, the executive will be entitled to receive a severance amount equal to two times the sum of the executive’s annual base salary plus the executive’s target annual cash bonus payable in bi-weekly installments over the two-year period. In addition, the executive will be entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the estimated cost of the executive’s continued health benefits for a two-year period following termination.
(3)
Under the terms of each named executive officer’s equity award agreement, in the event of a change in control, followed by a termination without cause or resignation for good reason within one year after the change in control, all unvested awards would immediately vest, including any performance-based awards that have not yet been earned calculated at the target award amount.
(4)
Under the terms of Dr. Gray’s offer letter entered into in November 2016, if the executive is terminated by the Company without cause, or if he resigns for good reason, the Company shall pay an amount equal to six months of current base salary, paid in bi-weekly payments as severance in salary continuation; an amount equal to the pro rata incentive bonus for the completed portion of the current annual pay period (for purposes of this table, we have assumed each executive received his bonus for the six month period). During the salary continuation period, the Company will continue to pay the employer portion of the cost of the health insurance plans in which the executive was a participant as of the termination date. If he has not found a full-time comparable executive position with another employer during the initial salary continuation period, the Company will extend the bi-weekly salary on a payroll to payroll basis until the earlier to occur of (A) six additional months or (B) the date he secures full-time employment. For purposes of this table we have assumed the executive will find a full-time comparable executive position with another employer during the initial salary continuation period.
54 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

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Name

Event

Salary &

Other Cash

Payment

 

Health

Insurance

Contribution

 

Vesting of

Stock Awards

 

 

Total

Stephen S. Schwartz

Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason

$

625,000

(1)

$

11,104

 

 

 

 

$

636,104

 

Change of Control with Termination

$

2,625,000

(2)

$

25,440

 

$

10,736,571

(3)

$

13,387,011

Lindon G. Robertson

Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason

$

440,000

(1)

$

14,970

 

$

 

 

$

454,970

 

Change of Control with Termination

$

1,760,000

(2)

$

35,799

 

$

4,832,067

(3)

$

6,627,866

Maurice H. Tenney III

Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason

$

435,000

(1)

$

15,689

 

$

 

 

$

450,689

 

Change of Control with Termination

$

1,522,500

(2)

$

34,223

 

$

5,832,945

(3)

$

7,389,668

David E. Jarzynka

Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason

$

175,000

(4)

$

7,485

 

$

 

 

$

182,485

 

Change of Control with Termination

$

1,120,000

(2)

$

35,131

 

$

3,850,164

(3)

$

5,005,295

David C. Gray

Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason

$

175,000

(4)

$

7,845

 

$

 

 

$

182,485

 

Change of Control with Termination

$

1,225,000

(2)

$

33,570

 

$

2,821,446

(3)

$

4,080,016

(1)

Under the terms of Dr. Schwartz’s employment agreement and each of the other executive’s offer letters, (other than Dr. Gray and Mr. Jarzynka) if the executive is terminated by the Company without cause, or if he resigns for good reason, the Company shall pay an amount equal to one year’s current base salary, paid in bi-weekly payments as severance in salary continuation; an amount equal to the pro rata incentive bonus for the completed portion of the current annual pay period (for purposes of this table, we have assumed each executive received his bonus for the fiscal year). During the salary continuation period, the Company will continue to pay the employer portion of the cost of the health insurance plans in which the executive was a participant as of the termination date. If he has not found a full-time comparable executive position with another employer during the initial salary continuation period, the Company will extend the bi-weekly salary on a payroll to payroll basis until the earlier to occur of (A) one additional year (26 additional bi-weekly payments) or (B) the date he secures full-time employment. For purposes of this table we have assumed the executive will find a full-time comparable executive position with another employer during the initial salary continuation period.

(2)

Under the terms of each executive’s Change in Control Agreement, if the executive is terminated without cause, or resigns for good reason, within two years following or the six month period prior to a change in control, the executive will be entitled to receive a severance amount equal to two times the sum of the executive’s annual base salary plus the executive’s target annual cash bonus payable in bi-weekly installments over the two-year period. In addition, the executive will entitled to a lump sum payment equal to the estimated cost of the executive’s continued welfare benefits (health, dental, and life and disability insurance) for a two-year period following termination.

(3)

Under the terms of each named executive officer’s equity award agreement, in the event of a change-in-control, followed by a termination without cause within one year, all unvested awards would immediately vest, including any performance-based awards that have not yet been earned calculated at the target award amount.

(4)

Under the terms of Dr. Gray’s and Mr. Jarzynka’s offer letters entered into in November 2016, if the executive is terminated by the Company without cause, or if he resigns for good reason, the Company shall pay an amount equal to six months of current base salary, paid in bi-weekly payments as severance in salary continuation; an amount equal to the pro rata incentive bonus for the completed portion of the current annual pay period (for purposes of this table, we have assumed each executive received his bonus for the six month period). During the salary continuation period, the Company will continue to pay the employer portion of the cost of the health insurance plans in which the executive was a participant as of the termination date. If he has not found a full-time comparable executive position with another employer during the initial salary continuation period, the Company will extend the bi-weekly salary on a payroll to payroll basis until the earlier to occur of (A) six additional months (13 additional bi-weekly payments) or (B) the date he secures full-time employment. For purposes of this table we have assumed the executive will find a full-time comparable executive position with another employer during the initial salary continuation period.

(5)

The amount shown includes 89.1% of Mr. Jarzynka’s May 4, 2016 Performance Grant. On November 8, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors determined that the goal financial performance over this period will result in a 89.1% award being earning. The value of the excluded PSUs is $39,711.

CEO PAY RATIO
CEO PAY RATIO
Under rules adopted pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, the Company is required to disclose the median of the annual total compensation of our employees (excluding our principal executive officer), the annual total compensation of our principal executive officer, President and Chief Executive Officer, Stephen S. Schwartz, and the ratio of these two amounts. The Company’s pay ratio may not be comparable to the pay ratios of other companies given varying workforce composition and pay practices, as well as the flexibility permitted in identifying the median employee.
The Company determined that the 2023 annual total compensation of our median employee as of September 30, 2023 was $50,034 and Dr. Schwartz’s annual total compensation for 2023 was $5,554,462, both of which were calculated in accordance with Item 402(c) of Regulation S-K. The ratio of these amounts was 111.0:1.
The Company selected September 30, 2023, the last day of our most recently completed fiscal year, as the effective date used to identify the median employee. As of this date the Company employed approximately 3,500 employees globally. The Company did not elect to make any exclusions as permitted under the SEC’s de minimis rule.
The Company used a Consistently Applied Compensation Measure to identify the median employee based on the sum of base pay/regular wages, overtime and target bonus. The Company elected to include bonus payments given the broad participation rates in these programs across our employee base. Annualized salary rates for full-time employees and hourly pay rates and scheduled hours worked were used as reasonable estimates of salary/wages.
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Pay Versus Performance
Pay Versus Performance
As required by Section 953(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K we are providing the following information about the relationship between executive Compensation Actually Paid (“CAP”) for our Chief Executive Officer, also referred to as our principal executive officer (“PEO”), and our other Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”) and certain financial performance metrics of the Company for the fiscal years listed below. The Human Resources and Compensation (HRC) Committee did not consider the pay versus performance disclosure below in making its pay decisions for any of the years shown. For further information on the Company’s pay for performance philosophy and how the Company aligns executive compensation with the Company’s performance, please refer to “Compensation Discussion and Analysis.”

 
 
 
 
 
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment Based On:
 
 
Year
SCT Total for
PEO(1)
Compensation
Actually Paid
(CAP) total for
PEO(2)
Average SCT
Total for Non-
PEO NEOs(3)
Average CAP
to Non-PEO
NEOs(4)
Azenta TSR(5)
Company
Peer
Group(6)
S&P 1500
Life
Sciences
Tools &
Services
Industry
Index(7)
GAAP Net
Income(8)
Revenue(9)
2023
$5,554,462
$5,753,017
$1,587,464
$1,664,874
$109
$80
$109
-$12.9
$665.0
2022
$4,668,377
-$8,289,063
$2,357,741
-$184,501
$93
$82
$110
-$11.3
$552.0
2021
$5,290,656
$21,015,659
$1,897,530
$6,261,160
$222
$150
$143
$111.9
$1,178
*
Financials for 2021 are based on a combined Life Sciences and Semi-conductor equipment company and are pre-separation of the businesses and the closing of the sale of the semiconductor automation business on February 1, 2022.
(1)
Amounts shown are the amounts of total compensation reported for Dr. Schwartz, our CEO, for each corresponding year in the Total column of the Summary Compensation Table (SCT).
(2)
Amounts represent the amount of CAP to Dr. Schwartz, as calculated in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to Dr. Schwartz’s total compensation for each year to determine the CAP:

Year
Reported SCT
Total for PEO
Reported Value
of Equity Awards
Granted in the
Year(a)
Equity Awards
Adjustments(b)
Compensation
Actual Paid to
PEO
2023
$5,554,462
-$4,500,037
$4,698,592
$5,753,017
2022
$4,668,377
-$3,500,031
-$9,457,409
-$8,289,063
2021
$5,290,656
-$3,000,067
$18,725,070
$21,015,659
(a)
The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column of the SCT for the corresponding fiscal year.
(b)
The equity award adjustments are calculated in accordance with the SEC rules as shown in the table below.

Year
Year-End Fair
Value of
Outstanding and
Unvested Equity
Awards Granted
in the Year
Year over Year
Change in Fair
Value of
Outstanding and
Unvested Equity
Awards Granted
in Prior Years
Year over Year
Change in Fair
Value of Equity
Awards Granted
in Prior Years
that Vested in
the Year
Total Equity
Award
Adjustments
2023
$3,791,453
$473,115
$434,024
$4,698,592
2022
$1,311,173
-$5,025,180
-$5,743,403
-$9,457,409
2021
$7,845,742
$7,286,596
$3,592,733
$18,725,070
(3)
Amounts reported in this column represent the average of the amounts reported in for the Company’s NEOs, excluding Dr. Schwartz. Messrs. Robertson, Joseph and Vacha and Dr. Gray are the Non-PEO NEOs in 2023. Messrs. Robertson and Joseph, Dr. McManus and Ms. Sriram are the Non-PEO NEOs in 2022. Messrs. Robertson, Jarzynka and Vacha, and Dr. Liao are the Non-PEO NEOs in 2021.
56 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018TABLE OF CONTENTS

Pay Versus Performance
(4)
The amounts reported in this column represent the average amount of CAP to the Non-PEO NEOs (excluding Dr. Schwartz), as computed in accordance with the requirements of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, the following adjustments were made to the average total compensation for each year to determine the CAP:

Year
Average
Reported SCT
Total for Non-
PEO NEOs
Average
Reported Value
of Equity Awards
Granted in the
Year(a)
Average Equity
Award
Adjustments(b)
Average
Compensation
Actual Paid to
Non-PEO NEOs
2023
$1,587,464
-$1,012,541
$1,089,951
$1,664,874
2022
$2,357,741
-$1,483,811
-$1,058,430
-$184,501
2021
$1,897,530
-$900,027
$5,263,658
$6,261,160
(a)
The grant date fair value of equity awards represents the total of the amounts reported in the “Stock Awards” column of the SCT for the corresponding fiscal year.
(b)
The equity award adjustments are calculated in accordance with the SEC rules as shown in the table below.

Year
Average Year-
End Fair Value of
Outstanding and
Unvested Equity
Awards Granted
in the Year
Year over Year
Average Change
in Fair Value of
Outstanding and
Unvested Equity
Awards Granted
in Prior Years
Year over Year
Average Change
in Fair Value of
Equity Awards
Granted in Prior
Years that
Vested in the
Year
Total
Average
Equity
Award
Adjustments
2023
$853,105
$119,954
$116,893
$1,089,951
2022
$687,646
-$785,402
-$960,674
-$1,058,430
2021
$1,877,406
$2,382,731
$1,003,520
$5,263,658
(5)
Cumulative TSR is calculated by dividing the sum of the cumulative difference between the Company’s share price at the end and the beginning of the measurement period by the Company’s share price at the beginning of the measurement period.
(6)
The peer group for TSR is Azenta’s peer group used in the Company’s performance graph under Item 201 of Regulation S-K included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, which includes the following companies: Angiodynamics Inc, Caredx Inc, Certara Inc, Haemonetics Corp, Icu Medical Inc, Integra Lifesciences Holdings Corp, Maravai Lifesciences Holdings Inc, Medpace Holdings Inc, Neogenomics Inc, Orasure Technologies Inc, Repligen Corp, Sotera Health Co, and Varex Imaging Corp. The comparison assumes $100 was invested for the period starting September 30, 2020, through the end of the listed year for the Company and the peer group.
(7)
This is supplemental information provided by the Company showing the TSR using the S&P 1500 Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry Index. The comparison assumes $100 was invested for the period starting September 30, 2020, through the end of the listed year for the Company and the peer group.
(8)
The amount shown is the net income reflected in the Company’s consolidated audited financial statements for the applicable year.
(9)
Revenue from continued operations for the applicable year. Revenue for 2021 is based on a combined Life Sciences and Semi-conductor equipment company and are pre-separation of the businesses and the closing of the sale of the semiconductor automation business on February 1, 2022.
Financial Performance Measures
The Company’s executive compensation program reflects our pay for performance philosophy, as described in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” above. The metrics that the Company uses for both our long-term and short-term incentive awards are selected based on their alignment with the Company’s strategic objectives and their ability to increase value to our stockholders. The most important financial performance measures used by the Company to determine executive compensation paid to the Company’s NEOs, for the most recent compensation fiscal year are as follows:
  •Revenue
  •Adjusted EPS
  •Adjusted EBITDA
  •ROIC
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Pay Versus Performance
  •Adjusted Free Cash Flow
  •Adjusted Operating Profit
These are non-GAAP measures. Appendix A of this Proxy Statement49

defines these and other non-GAAP financial measures and reconciles them to the most directly comparable historical GAAP financial measures.
While the Company used several performance measures to align the executive compensation program with Company performance, as shown above, they are not all presented in the Pay versus Performance table. The Company has chosen to focus on Revenue because it has the most significant impact on compensation. Additionally, the Company generally seeks to incentivize long-term performance, and therefore does not specifically align the Company’s performance measures with compensation that is actually paid (as computed in accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K) for a particular year.
Compensation Actually Paid (CAP) and Cumulative Total Shareholder Return (TSR)
Below is a table that compares the CAP for the PEO and Non-PEO NEOs for the past three fiscal years (FY2021, FY2022 and FY2023) against the cumulative three year TSR performance for Azenta from October 1, 2020 – September 30, 2023, for Azenta’s financial peer group and, as supplemental information, for the S&P 1500 Life Sciences Tools & Services Industry Index.
graphic

58 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

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Pay Versus Performance
Compensation Actually Paid (CAP) and GAAP Net Income
Below is a table that compares the CAP for the PEO and Non-PEO NEOs for the past three fiscal years (FY2021, FY2022 and FY2023) against GAAP Net Income performance for the related year.
graphic

*
Net Income for 2021 are based on a combined Life Sciences and Semi-conductor equipment company and are pre-separation of the businesses and the closing of the sale of the semiconductor automation business on February 1, 2022.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  59

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Pay Versus Performance
Compensation Actually Paid (CAP) and Revenue
Below is a table that compares the CAP for the PEO and Non-PEO NEOs for the past three fiscal years (FY2021, FY2022 and FY2023) against Annual Revenue performance for the related fiscal year.
graphic
*
Revenue for 2021 are based on a combined Life Sciences and Semi-conductor equipment company and are pre-separation of the businesses and the closing of the sale of the semiconductor automation business on February 1, 2022.
60 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The table below sets forth certain information as of September 30, 20172023 regarding the shares of our Common Stock available for grant or granted under stock optionequity compensation plans that (i) were approved by our stockholders, and (ii) were not approved by our stockholders.

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(2)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1)

2,474,011

 

4,709,828

(3)

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

0

 

0

 

Total

2,474,011

 

4,709,828

 

(1)

Consists of restricted stock units.

(2)

Excludes securities reflected in the first column of the table.

(3)

Includes 1,250,000 shares available for issuance under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

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
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders
718,951(1)
$67.40(2)
2,592,163(3)
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders
Total
718,954
2,592,163
(1)
Consists of (i) 680,942 shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding RSUs under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan, and (ii) 38,009 shares to be issued upon exercise of outstanding RSUs under the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan.
(2)
Consists of the weighted-average grant date value of restricted stock units only outstanding on September 30, 2023.
(3)
Consists of (i) 2,005,742 shares that remained available for future issuance under the 2020 Equity Incentive Plan and (ii) 586,421 shares available for issuance under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Excludes securities reflected in the first column of the table.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Under existing SEC rules, some transactions, commonly referred to as “related party transactions,” are required to be disclosed to stockholders. Examples of related party transactions include transactions or proposed transactions between us and:

  •an executive officer, director or director nominee;
  •any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our Common Stock;
  •any person who is an immediate family member (as defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K) of an executive officer, director or director nominee or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our Common Stock; and
  •any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person, together with any other of the foregoing persons, has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest.

an executive officer, director or director nominee;

any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock;

any person who is an immediate family member (as defined under Item 404 of Regulation S-K) of an executive officer, director or director nominee or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our common stock; and

any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person, together with any other of the foregoing persons, has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest.

Under the Nasdaq Stock Market rules, we are required to conduct an appropriate review of any such transaction and either the Audit Committee or the independent directors are required to approve the transaction. All related party transactions must also be disclosed in our applicable filings with the Securities and Exchange CommissionSEC as required under SEC rules. Our Audit Committee Charter also requires that members of the Audit Committee approve all related party transactions for which such approval is required under applicable law, including SEC and Nasdaq rules. In addition, the Conflicts of Interest provisions of our Standards of Conduct cover, among other things, all transactions involving our relationships with service providers, suppliers and suppliers. Itothers. Our policy requires the disclosure of any relationship that could be seen to affect the application of independent and sound judgment of Azenta in the choice of suppliers.connection with relationships with prospective or existing suppliers, contractors, customers, competitors or regulators. In the case of employees this calls for disclosure of any relationship to management. Members of our Board of Directors would normally make this disclosure to the chairman of the board. Board.

We entered into noare not aware of any related party transactions duringsince the beginning of our last fiscal year 2017.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement50

that would require disclosure under SEC rules.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  61

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ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

PROPOSAL NO. 2  ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

We are seeking your advisory vote as required by Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on the approval of the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in this proxy statement under the heading “Executive Officers” including under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation, and the accompanying narrative disclosure. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices of executive compensation described in this proxy statement. The advisory vote is not a vote on the Company’s compensation practices for non-executive employees or the Company’s Board of Directors.

As described in detail under the heading “Executive Officers-Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, motivate, and retain our named executive officers, who are critical to our success. Under these programs, our named executive officers are rewarded for the achievement of specific short-term and long-term goals. Please see the “CompensationCompensation Discussion and Analysis”Analysis for additional details about our executive compensation philosophy and programs, including information about the fiscal year 20172023 compensation of our named executive officers.

Our Board of Directors is asking stockholders to provide a non-binding advisory vote that the compensation paid to the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC, included in this proxy statement under the heading “Executive Officers-Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the tabular disclosure regarding such compensation and the accompanying narrative disclosure, is approved.

The Human Resources and Compensation Committee continually reviews the compensation programs for our named executive officers to ensure they achieve the desired goals of aligning our executive compensation structure with our stockholders’ interests and current market practices.

This vote on the compensation of our named executive officers is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the Human Resources and Compensation Committee or our Board of Directors. Our Board of Directors and our Human Resources and Compensation Committee value the opinions of our stockholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against the named executive officer compensation as disclosed in this proxy statement, we will consider our stockholders’ concerns and the Human Resources and Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.

THEBOARDOFDIRECTORSBELIEVESTHATTHEPROPOSALTOAPPROVE,ONANON-BINDING,ADVISORYBASIS,THEEXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONCONTAINEDINTHEPROXYSTATEMENTISINTHEBESTINTERESTSOFBROOKSANDOURSTOCKHOLDERSANDTHEREFORERECOMMENDSAVOTEFORTHISPROPOSAL.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement51

We will hold an advisory vote on executive compensation annually and will ask stockholders to vote on the frequency of those advisory votes every six years. In Proposal No. 3 of this proxy statement, we are seeking your advisory vote on the frequency of holding advisory votes on executive compensation.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE, ON A
NON-BINDING, ADVISORY BASIS, THE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION CONTAINED IN THIS
PROXY STATEMENT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF AZENTA AND OUR STOCKHOLDERS
AND THEREFORE, RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THIS PROPOSAL NO. 2.
62 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

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RECOMMENDATION ON THE FREQUENCY OF HOLDING AN ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

PROPOSAL NO. 3  RECOMMENDATION ON THE FREQUENCY OF HOLDING AN ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

We are asking stockholders to recommend, on an advisory basis, the frequency with which our stockholders will cast future advisory votes on executive compensation as described in Proposal TwoNo. 2 above. For convenience, in this Proposal ThreeNo. 3 the stockholders’ advisory vote on executive compensation provided for in Proposal TwoNo. 2 above is referred to as the “say-on-pay vote.” The advisory vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay vote is a non-binding vote as to how often the say-on-pay vote should occur: every year, every two years, or every three years. The Dodd-Frank Act requires the Company to hold the advisory vote on the frequency of the say-on-pay vote at least once every six years. Our Board of Directors has determined that a non-binding advisory vote on executive compensation that occurs every year is the most appropriate alternative for the Company, and therefore our Board of Directors recommends that you vote for a one-year interval for the say-on-pay vote. In formulating its recommendation, our Board of Directors considered that an annual say-on-pay vote will allow our stockholders to provide us with their direct input on our compensation philosophy, policies and practices as disclosed in our proxy statement every year. While the Company currently recommends a vote in favor of an annual vote, you may cast your vote on your preferred voting frequency by choosing the option of one year, two years, or three years when you vote on this proposal. However, because this vote is advisory and not binding on the Board of Directors or the Company, the Board of Directors may decide that it is in the best interests of our stockholders and the Company to hold a say-on-pay vote more or less frequently than the option approved by our stockholders.

THEBOARDOFDIRECTORSBELIEVESTHATTHEPROPOSALTOAPPROVEONCEEVERYYEAR
ASTHEFREQUENCYWITHWHICHSTOCKHOLDERSAREASKEDTOCASTANON-BINDING
ADVISORYVOTEONEXECUTIVECOMPENSATIONISINTHEBESTINTERESTSOFBROOKSANDOURSTOCKHOLDERSANDTHEREFORERECOMMENDSVOTING“FOR”AFREQUENCY
OFEVERYONEYEAR.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement52

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BELIEVES THAT THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE ONCE EVERY YEAR AS
THE FREQUENCY WITH WHICH STOCKHOLDERS ARE ASKED TO CAST A NON-BINDING ADVISORY
VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF AZENTA AND OUR
STOCKHOLDERS AND THEREFORE, RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” A FREQUENCY OF EVERY ONE
YEAR.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  63

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To The Stockholders:

Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal control over financial reporting. The independent auditors are responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and issuing a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

Management has represented to the Audit Committee that our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 20172023 were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and separately with the independent auditors. It is the Audit Committee that engaged our independent auditors for the year ended September 30, 2017,2023, and the Audit Committee determines annually who shall act as our independent auditors. For the year ended September 30, 2017,2023, the Audit Committee sought and obtained from our stockholders the ratification of their choice of independent auditors. The Audit Committee is seeking similar ratification of their choice of independent auditors for the fiscal year that will end September 30, 2018.

2024.

The Audit Committee, in accordance with its charter and recurring meeting agenda, reviewed with the independent auditors the accounting policies and practices critical to our financial statements, the alternative treatments within general accepted accounting principles for policies and practices related to material items that have been discussed with management, the ramifications of each alternative, and the independent auditors’ preferred treatment. The Audit Committee also reviewed the material written communications between management and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee reviewed management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and also met with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the independent auditors’ evaluations of our internal controls and the overall quality of our financial reporting. The Audit Committee also regularly reviews whether there have been communications to our telephone and electronic hotlines and reviews and monitors the responses to any such communications. All call reports from the independent company that staffs and operates these hotlines are directed in the first instance to, among others, the ChairmanChair of the Audit Committee, except where local law requires otherwise. The Audit Committee further reviews whether there have been any changes to our Standards of Conduct and whether any waivers to those standards have been granted. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed as required under Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees.the applicable requirements of the PCAOB. The Audit Committee has also discussed the results of the internal audit examinations.

As noted under “Board Risk Oversight”, above, the Audit Committee operates under the direction of the Executive CommitteeBoard in helping to assess and address the Company’s business risks. In that process, the Audit Committee reviews with management the process employed by management to conduct a risk assessment survey, and also reviews and discusses with management and the registered public accounting firmour independent auditors the Company’s major financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control such exposures.

Our independent auditors provided the Audit Committee with the written disclosures and the letter required by PCAOB Ethics and Independence Rule 3526 (Communications with Audit Committees Concerning Independence) which requires auditors annually to disclose in writing all relationships that in the auditor’s professional opinion may reasonably be thought to bear on independence, to confirm their independence and to engage in a discussion of independence. The Audit Committee also reviewed with the independent auditors the relevant SEC rules with respect to independence of auditors.

Based on its review, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors that our audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017,2023, management’s report on its assessment on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of September 30, 2017,2023, and the independent auditors’ reports be included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.2023. Further, the Audit Committee has determined to engage PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.

2024.

Respectfully submitted,

Audit Committee:

John K. McGillicuddy, Co-Chairman
Alfred Woollacott, III, Co-Chairman
Mark

Frank E. Casal, Chair
Erica McLaughlin
Tina S. Wrighton

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement53

Nova
Dorothy E. Puhy
64 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

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Set forth below are the fees paid by BrooksAzenta to its independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”), for the fiscal years ended September 30, 20172023 and September 30, 2016.

2022.
 
2023
2022
Audit Fees
$4,425,549
$2,635,754
Audit-Related Fees
$344,970
$500,000
Tax Fees
$62,772
$25,831
All Other Fees
$27,714
$956

 

 

2017

 

 

2016

 

Audit Fees

$

2,026,500

 

$

1,579,678

 

Audit-Related Fees

$

148,850

 

$

8,000

 

Tax Fees

$

148,500

 

$

42,141

 

All Other Fees

$

3,000

 

$

3,000

 

Description of Services

AuditFees:Comprise fees and expenses for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our financial statements for the fiscal years ended September 30, 20172023 and 2016, respectively,2022 for the reviews of the financial statements included in each of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q during those years, and for services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements in those years.

Audit-RelatedFees:Comprise fees for professional services for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of an audit or review in the fiscal years ended September 30, 20172023 and 2016.2022. In fiscal year 2017,2023, the Company incurred $113,000$294,970 in audit-related fees to PwC for technical accounting consulting services and $35,850 in connection with SEC filings. In fiscal year 2016, the Company incurred $8,000 in audit-relatedaudit related fees to PwC in connection with SEC filings.

filings related to the acquisition of B Medical and $50,000 in connection with SOX pre-implementation work related to B Medical. In fiscal year 2022, the Company incurred $500,000 in audit related fees to PwC in connection with the divestiture of our semiconductor automation business..

TaxFees:Comprise fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning. Tax services encompass a variety of permissible services including international tax compliance, expatriate tax services and tax consulting. For fiscal years 2017 and 2016,year 2023, the aggregate tax fee amount consistsfees included $62,772 for non-U.S. tax services. For fiscal year 2022, the tax fees of $25,831 were for U.S. tax services.
All Other Fees: For fiscal year 2023, all other fees included $8,234 related to non-US tax compliance.

AllOtherFees: Comprisefees for web-based accounting research tools and $19,480 related to grant audits of B Medical. For fiscal year 2022, all other fees were comprised of fees for certain web-based accounting research tools paid to PwC in fiscal years 20172023 and 2016.

2022.

The Audit Committee has considered and determined that the provision of the non-audit services noted in the foregoing table is compatible with maintaining PwC’s independence.
Pre-Approval Policy and Procedures
The Audit Committee’s charter sets forth the Audit Committee’s obligations relating to the approval of all audit and non-audit services that are to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. The charter provides that the Committee shall pre-approve all auditing services and non-audit services (including the fees and terms thereof) permitted to be provided by the Company’swe will not engage our independent registered public accounting firm contemporaneouslyto provide audit or non-audit services unless the service is pre-approved by the Audit Committee. In addition, we will not engage any other accounting firm to provide audit services unless such services are pre-approved by the Audit Committee.
In connection with the audit.

foregoing, the Audit Committee may approve specific services in advance. In addition, from time to time, the Audit Committee may pre-approve specified types of services that are expected to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm during the next 12 months. Any such pre-approval of types of services is detailed as to the particular service or type of service to be provided and is also generally subject to a maximum dollar amount.

The Audit Committee has considered and determined thatalso delegated to the provisionChair of the Audit Committee the authority to approve any audit or non-audit services noted into be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm. Any approval of services by the foregoing tableChair of the Audit Committee pursuant to this delegated authority is compatible with maintaining PwC’s independence.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement54

reported on at the next meeting of the Audit Committee.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  65

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RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM


PROPOSAL NO. 4  RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The Company’s Audit Committee has appointed PwC to serve as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018,2024, and stockholders are asked to ratify the selection at the Annual Meeting. The Audit Committee has considered and determined that PwC has no commercial relationship with the Company that would impair its independence in the next fiscal year. Representatives of PwC will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be available to respond to appropriate questions and to make a statement if they so desire. We do not expect the representatives to make any statements apart from responding to inquiries. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its sole discretion, may change the appointment at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of ourthe Company and our stockholders.

THEBOARDOFDIRECTORSDEEMSPROPOSALNO.4TOBEINTHEBESTINTERESTSOFBROOKSANDITSSTOCKHOLDERSANDRECOMMENDSTHATTHESTOCKHOLDERSVOTEFORPROPOSALNO.4.

OTHER MATTERS

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) An affirmative vote of a majority of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than 10% of our Common Stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the SEC. Executive officers and directors arevotes cast affirmatively or negatively is required to furnish us with copies of all Forms 3, 4approve this Proposal No. 4. Abstentions and 5 they file.

Based solelybroker non-votes will have no effect on our reviewthe outcome of the copies of such forms we have received and written representations from certain reporting persons that they were not required to file Forms 5 for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017, we believe that all of our executive officers and directors complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to them during our fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 with the exception of a Form 4 filed on behalf of board member and executive Stephen S. Schwartz, and executives Lindon G. Robertson, Maurice H. Tenney III, David C. Gray, David E. Jarzynka, William T. Montone, Jason W. Joseph and David F. Pietrantoni on November 21, 2016 reporting a transaction that occurred on November 15, 2016; a Form 4 filed on behalf of executive David E. Jarzynka on May 10, 2017, reporting a transaction that occurred on May 5, 2017; and a Form 4 filed on behalf of executive David F. Pietrantoni on May 10, 2017 reporting a transaction that occurred on May 5, 2017 and another transaction that occurred on May 4, 2016.

vote.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEEMS PROPOSAL NO. 4 TO BE IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF
AZENTA AND OUR STOCKHOLDERS AND THEREFORE RECOMMENDS THAT THE
STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” PROPOSAL NO. 4.
OTHER MATTERS
Standards of Conduct

Pursuant to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the Nasdaq Stock Market rules, we have adopted Standards of Conduct that apply to all officers, directors and employees, covering a wide range of matters, including finance and accounting standards specifically applicable to our senior financial officers related to the protection of the integrity of our financial records and reports. A copy of our Standards of Conduct is publicly available on our website at www.brooks.com.www.Azenta.com. If we make any substantive amendment to the Standards of Conduct or grant any waiver, including any implicit waiver, from a provision thereof to the persons covered by the Standards of Conduct, we are obligated to disclose the nature of such amendment or waiver, the name of the person to whom any waiver was granted, and the date of waiver on the above-named website or in a reportCurrent Report on Form 8-K.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement55


Our Amended and Restated Bylaws include an advance notice procedure if a stockholder wishes to propose a nomination of persons for election to the Board of Directors or present a proposal at an annual meeting but does not wish to have the proposal considered for inclusion in the Company’s proxy statement and proxy card. Stockholders at an annual meeting may only consider proposals or nominations specified in the notice of meeting or brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or by a stockholder of record on the record date for the meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has delivered timely notice in proper form to the Company’s secretary of the stockholder’s intention to bring such business before the meeting. Under the Amended and Restated Bylaws, the required notice must be in writing and received by our secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting. However, in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than 30 days, or delayed by more than 60 days, from the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice must be so received no earlier than the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of (A) the 90th day prior to such annual meeting and (B) the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date of such annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of such annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs.
Proposals which stockholders intend to present at our 20192025 annual meeting of stockholders and wish to have included in our proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, must be received by the Company no later than August 15, 2018. If a proponent fails to notify us by October 27, 201817, 2024. However, if the date of a non-Rule 14a-8 stockholder proposal which it intends to submit at our 2018the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders is changed by more than 30 days from the date of the previous year’s meeting, then the deadline is a reasonable time before we begin to print and send our proxy solicited bystatement for the Board2025 annual meeting of Directors with respect to such meetingstockholders. SEC rules set standards for eligibility and specify the types of stockholder proposals that may grant discretionary authority tobe excluded from a proxy statement.
To be considered for presentation at the person named in each proxy to vote with respect to such matter.

Stockholders may make recommendations to the Nominating and Governance Committee of candidates for its consideration as nominees for director by submitting the name and qualifications of such person to the Nominating and Governance Committee, c/o Board of Directors, Brooks Automation, Inc. at our principal executive offices, 15 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford, MA 01824.

Nominations for directors in connection with the 20192025 annual meeting of stockholders, shouldalthough not included in the proxy statement, proposals (including director nominations that are not requested to be included in our proxy statement) must be received by the Companyno earlier than October 2, 2024 and no later than November 10, 2018. Any persons recommended1, 2024. In addition to satisfying the foregoing advance notice requirements, to comply with the universal proxy rules under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees must follow the requirements set forth in Rule 14a-19 as promulgated under the

66 AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement

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OTHER MATTERS
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Stockholders are advised to review our Amended and Restated Bylaws, which specify requirements as to form and content of a stockholders’ notice, including the information required by Rule 14a-9 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Proposals that are not received in a timely manner or in accordance with applicable law will not be voted on at the 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. If a proposal is received on time, the proxies that management solicits for the meeting may still exercise discretionary voting authority on the proposal under circumstances consistent with the proxy rules of the SEC. All stockholder proposals should at a minimum meetbe marked for the criteria and qualifications referred to in the Nominating and Governance Committee’s charter. The letterattention of recommendation from one or more stockholders should state whether or not the person(s) making the recommendation have beneficially owned 5% or more of our Common Stock for at least one year.

Azenta, Inc., 200 Summit Drive, 6th Floor, Burlington, MA 01803, Attention: Secretary.

Voting Results

The preliminary voting results will be announced at the annual meeting,Annual Meeting, and we will publish preliminary results, or final results if available, in a Current Report on Form 8-K within four business days of the annual meeting.Annual Meeting. If final results are unavailable at the time we file the Current Report on Form 8-K, then we will file an amended reportamendment to the Current Report on Form 8-K to disclose the final voting results within four business days after the final voting results are known.

We will also disclose in this Current Report on Form 8-K, or an amendment thereto, our decision in light of the results of the votes on Proposal No. 3 as to how frequently we will include a stockholder vote on the compensation of executives in our proxy materials until the next required vote on the frequency of stockholder votes on the compensation of executives.

Householding of Proxy Materials

SEC rules permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy delivery requirements for proxy statements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is commonly referred to as “householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and cost savings for companies. We and some brokers household proxy materials, delivering a single proxy statement to multiple stockholders sharing an address unless contrary instructions have been received from the affected stockholders. Once you have received notice from us or your broker that they will be householding materials to your address, householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until you revoke your consent. If, at any time, you no longer wish to participate in householding and would prefer to receive a separate proxy statement, or if you are receiving multiple copies of the proxy statement and wish to receive only one, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account or us if you hold registered shares. You can also request prompt delivery of a copy of this proxy statement. All such requests should be made in writing to our Investor Relations department at the following address: Investor Relations, Brooks Automation,Azenta, Inc., 15 Elizabeth Drive, Chelmsford,200 Summit Dive, 6th Floor, Burlington, MA 0182401803 or by telephone at the following number: (978) 262-2400.

(732) 416-4975.

Material Not Incorporated by Reference

To the extent that this proxy statement has been or will be specifically incorporated by reference into any filing by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the sections of the proxy statement entitled “Audit Committee Report,” and “Human Resources and Compensation Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be so incorporated, unless specifically otherwise provided in any such filing.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018 Proxy Statement56


Copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 20172023, as filed with the SEC, are being made available to our stockholders of record with this proxy statement and are available to stockholders without charge upon written request addressed to Investor Relations, Brooks Automation,Azenta, Inc., 15 Elizabeth200 Summit Drive, Chelmsford,6th Floor, Burlington, Massachusetts 01824.01803. It is also available at our website www.brooks.com.www.Azenta.com.
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE AUTHORIZED PROMPTLY.
THEREFORE, STOCKHOLDERS ARE URGED TO COMPLETE, SIGN AND RETURN
THE ACCOMPANYING FORM OF PROXY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE OR PROMPTLY SUBMIT
A PROXY BY TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  67

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ITISIMPORTANTTHATPROXIESBEAUTHORIZEDPROMPTLY.THEREFORE,STOCKHOLDERSAREURGEDTOCOMPLETE,SIGNANDRETURNTHEACCOMPANYINGFORMOFPROXYINTHEENCLOSEDENVELOPE.

BROOKS AUTOMATION - 2018

Appendix A
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP to GAAP Financial Measures Used in Proxy Statement57

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Azenta, Inc. (the “Company”) supplements its financial measures under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP, with certain non-GAAP financial measures to provides a better perspective on the results of business operations, which the Company believes is more comparable to the similar analysis provided by its peers. These measures are not presented in accordance with, nor are they a substitute for GAAP measures. These measures should always be considered in conjunction with appropriate GAAP measures.
A reconciliation of the non-GAAP measures of Organic revenue and Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share, respectively, to the most comparable GAAP measure to each non-GAAP measure is included below. Management adjusted the GAAP results for the impact of amortization of intangible assets, restructuring charges, purchase price accounting adjustments and charges related to mergers and acquisitions to provide investors better perspective on the results of operations which the Company believes is more comparable to the similar analysis provided by its peers. Management also excludes special charges and gains, such as impairment losses, gains and losses from the sale of assets, as well as other gains and charges that are not representative of the normal operations of the business. In this context, the Company has also removed the effect of reversing valuation allowance reserves on deferred income tax assets. Amounts presented in the tables below are in millions, except per share amounts.
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
Revenue
513.7
555.5
665.1
GAAP gross profit
243.8
255.6
263.1
Gross profit margin
47.5%
46.0%
39.6%
Amortization of completed technology
8.1
7.3
18.5
Purchase accounting impact on inventory
9.7
Tariff adjustment
5.5
(0.5)
Other special charges
(0.1)
0.3
Non-GAAP gross profit
257.3
262.7
291.3
Non-GAAP gross profit margin
50.1%
47.3%
43.8%
GAAP operating expenses
​(274.9)
(280.3)
(336.3)
Merger and acquisition costs and costs related to share repurchase(1)
20.7
17.3
13.8
Amortization of intangibles other than completed technology
29.3
25.0
29.9
Restructuring charges
0.4
0.7
4.6
Contingent consideration – fair value adjustments
0.6
(18.5)
Other special charges
14.2
2.5
(0.1)
Non-GAAP operating expenses
​(210.4)
(234.3)
(306.6)
GAAP operating profit
(31.1)
(24.7)
(73.1)
Operating profit margin
(6.1)%
(4.5%)
(11.0%)
Non-GAAP operating profit
46.9
28.5
(15.3)
Non-GAAP operating profit margin
9.1%
5.1%
(2.3%)
(1)
Includes expenses related to governance-related matters.
AZENTA – 2023 Proxy Statement  A-1

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($ in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
FY 2021
FY 2022
FY 2023
GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations
​(28.9)
(11.3)
(12.9)
Merger and acquisition costs and costs related to share repurchase(1)
20.7
17.3
13.8
Amortization expense
37.4
32.3
48.4
Purchase accounting impact on inventory
9.7
Restructuring charges
0.4
0.7
4.6
Contingent consideration - fair value adjustments
0.6
(18.5)
Other special charges
14.1
2.7
(0.1)
Tariff adjustment
5.5
(0.5)
Loss on extinguishment of debt
0.6
Tax related adjustments
(12.1)
5.7
(8.1)
Tax effect of adjustments
(1.2)
(10.1)
(16.3)
Non-GAAP net income (loss) from continuing operations
35.9
38.2
20.6
Diluted earnings (loss) per share
(0.39)
(0.15)
(0.19)
Non-GAAP diluted earnings (loss) per share
0.48
0.51
0.31
Shares used in computing diluted net earnings (loss) per share (in millions)
74.5
74.9
66.3
(1)
Includes expenses related to governance-related matters.
($ in millions)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Life Sciences Products
Life Sciences Services
Azenta Total
 
FY
2022
FY
2023
Change
FY
2022
FY
2023
Change
FY
2022
FY
2023
Change
Revenue
$199
$305
​53%
$356
$360
1%
$555
$665
​20%
Organic Revenue(1)
199
182
(9%)
356
366
​3%
555
547
(1%)
(1)
Organic revenue represents revenue adjusted for the impact of acquisitions during the year and changes in currency rates as compared to the prior year.
($ in millions)
FY 2023
Free Cash Flow
(22)
Less items related to the Semiconductor Automation Sale
(36)
Adjusted Free Cash Flow
14
EBITDA from Continuing Operations
11.4
Adjustments
Stock-based compensation
9.5
​Purchase accounting impact on inventory
9.7
Restructuring and restructuring related charges
4.6
Merger and acquisition costs and costs related to the share repurchase(1)
13.8
Contingent consideration – fair value adjustments
(18.5)
Other
(0.1)
Adjusted EBITDA – from Continuing Operations
30.4
(1)
Includes expenses related to governance-related matters.
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graphic

BrooksAutomation,

Azenta, Inc.
15 Elizabeth
200 Summit Drive,
Chelmsford, 6th Floor

Burlington, MA 01824

01803

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graphic