Published on March 28, 2003
CODE OF ETHICS AND BUSINESS CONDUCT FOR OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND EMPLOYEES OF
SICLONE INDUSTRIES, INC.
1. TREAT IN AN ETHICAL MANNER THOSE TO WHOM SICLONE HAS AN OBLIGATION
We are committed to honesty, just management, fairness, providing a safe and
healthy environment free from the fear of retribution, and respecting the
dignity due everyone.
For the communities in which we live and work we are committed to observe sound
environmental business practices and to act as concerned and responsible
neighbors, reflecting all aspects of good citizenship.
For our shareholders we are committed to pursuing sound growth and earnings
objectives and to exercising prudence in the use of our assets and resources.
For our suppliers and partners we are committed to fair competition and the
sense of responsibility required of a good customer and teammate.
2. PROMOTE A POSITIVE WORK ENVIRONMENT
All employees want and deserve a workplace where they feel respected, satisfied,
and appreciated. We respect cultural diversity and will not tolerate harassment
or discrimination of any kind -- especially involving race, color, religion,
gender, age, national origin, disability, and veteran or marital status.
Providing an environment that supports honesty, integrity, respect, trust,
responsibility, and citizenship permits us the opportunity to achieve excellence
in our workplace. While everyone who works for the Company must contribute to
the creation and maintenance of such an environment, our executives and
management personnel assume special responsibility for fostering a work
environment that is free from the fear of retribution and will bring out the
best in all of us. Supervisors must be careful in words and conduct to avoid
placing, or seeming to place, pressure on subordinates that could cause them to
deviate from acceptable ethical behavior.
3. PROTECT YOURSELF, YOUR FELLOW EMPLOYEES, AND THE WORLD WE LIVE IN
We are committed to providing a drug-free, safe and healthy work environment,
and to observing environmentally sound business practices. We will strive, at a
minimum, to do no harm and where possible, to make the communities in which we
work a better place to live. Each of us is responsible for compliance with
environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.
4. KEEP ACCURATE AND COMPLETE RECORDS
We must maintain accurate and complete Company records. Transactions between
the Company and outside individuals and organizations must be promptly and
accurately entered in our books in accordance with generally accepted accounting
practices and principles. No one should rationalize or even consider
misrepresenting facts or falsifying records. It will not be tolerated and will
result in disciplinary action.
5. OBEY THE LAW
We will conduct our business in accordance with all applicable laws and
regulations. Compliance with the law does not comprise our entire ethical
responsibility. Rather, it is a minimum, absolutely essential condition for
performance of our duties. In conducting business, we shall:
A. STRICTLY ADHERE TO ALL ANTITRUST LAWS
Officer, directors and employees must strictly adhere to all antitrust
laws. Such laws exist in the United States and in many other countries
where the Company may conduct business. These laws prohibit practices in
restraint of trade such as price fixing and boycotting suppliers or
customers. They also bar pricing intended to run a competitor out of
business; disparaging, misrepresenting, or harassing a competitor; stealing
trade secrets; bribery; and kickbacks.
B. STRICTLY COMPLY WITH ALL SECURITIES LAWS
In our role as a publicly owned company, we must always be alert to and
comply with the security laws and regulations of the United States and
other countries.
I. DO NOT ENGAGE IN SPECULATIVE OR INSIDER TRADING
Federal law and Company policy prohibits officers, directors and
employees, directly or indirectly through their families or others,
from purchasing or selling company stock while in the possession of
material, non-public information concerning the Company. This same
prohibition applies to trading in the stock of other publicly held
companies on the basis of material, non-public information. To avoid
even the appearance of impropriety, Company policy also prohibits
officers, directors and employees from trading options on the open
market in Company stock under any circumstances.
Material, non-public information is any information that could
reasonably be expected to affect the price of a stock. If an officer,
director or employee is considering buying or selling a stock because
of inside information they possess, they should assume that such
information is material. It is also important for the officer,
director or employee to keep in mind that if any trade they make
becomes the subject of an investigation by the government, the trade
will be viewed after-the-fact with the benefit of hindsight.
Consequently, officers, directors and employees should always
carefully consider how their trades would look from this perspective.
Two simple rules can help protect you in this area: (1) Don't use
non-public information for personal gain. (2) Don't pass along such
information to someone else who has no need to know.
This guidance also applies to the securities of other companies for
which you receive information in the course of your employment at
Siclone.
II. BE TIMELY AND ACCURATE IN ALL PUBLIC REPORTS
As a public company, Siclone must be fair and accurate in all reports
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.
Officers, directors and management of Siclone are responsible for
ensuring that all reports are filed in a timely manner and that they
fairly present the financial condition and operating results of the
Company.
Securities laws are vigorously enforced. Violations may result in
severe penalties including forced sales of parts of the business and
significant fines against the Company. There may also be sanctions
against individual employees including substantial fines and prison
sentences.
The Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer will certify to the
accuracy of reports filed with the SEC in accordance with the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Officers and Directors who knowingly or
willingly make false certifications may be subject to criminal penalties or
sanctions including fines and imprisonment.
6. AVOID CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
Our officers, directors and employees have an obligation to give their complete
loyalty to the best interests of the Company. They should avoid any action that
may involve, or may appear to involve, a conflict of interest with the company.
Officers, directors and employees should not have any financial or other
business relationships with suppliers, customers or competitors that might
impair, or even appear to impair, the independence of any judgment they may need
to make on behalf of the Company.
HERE ARE SOME WAYS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST COULD ARISE:
- Employment by a competitor, or potential competitor, regardless of the
nature of the employment, while employed by Siclone.
- Acceptance of gifts, payment, or services from those seeking to do
business with Siclone.
- Placement of business with a firm owned or controlled by an officer,
director or employee or his/her family.
- Ownership of, or substantial interest in, a company that is a
competitor, client or supplier.
- Acting as a consultant to a Siclone customer, client or supplier.
- Seeking the services or advice of an accountant or attorney who has
provided services to Siclone.
Officers, directors and employees are under a continuing obligation to disclose
any situation that presents the possibility of a conflict or disparity of
interest between the officer, director or employee and the Company. Disclosure
of any potential conflict is the key to remaining in full compliance with this
policy.
7. COMPETE ETHICALLY AND FAIRLY FOR BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES
We must comply with the laws and regulations that pertain to the acquisition of
goods and services. We will compete fairly and ethically for all business
opportunities. In circumstances where there is reason to believe that the
release or receipt of non-public information is unauthorized, do not attempt to
obtain and do not accept such information from any source.
If you are involved in Company transactions, you must be certain that all
statements, communications, and representations are accurate and truthful.
8. AVOID ILLEGAL AND QUESTIONABLE GIFTS OR FAVORS
The sale and marketing of our products and services should always be free from
even the perception that favorable treatment was sought, received, or given in
exchange for the furnishing or receipt of business courtesies. Officers,
directors and employees of Siclone will neither give nor accept business
courtesies that constitute, or could be reasonably perceived as constituting,
unfair business inducements or that would violate law, regulation or policies of
the Company, or could cause embarrassment to or reflect negatively on the
Company's reputation.
9. MAINTAIN THE INTEGRITY OF CONSULTANTS, AGENTS, AND REPRESENTATIVES
Business integrity is a key standard for the selection and retention of those
who represent Siclone. Agents, representatives and consultants must certify
their willingness to comply with the Company's policies and procedures and must
never be retained to circumvent our values and principles. Paying bribes or
kickbacks, engaging in industrial espionage, obtaining the proprietary data of a
third party without authority, or gaining inside information or influence are
just a few examples of what could give us an unfair competitive advantage and
could result in violations of law.
10. PROTECT PROPRIETARY INFORMATION
Proprietary Company information may not be disclosed to anyone without proper
authorization. Keep proprietary documents protected and secure. In the course
of normal business activities, suppliers, customers and competitors may
sometimes divulge to you information that is proprietary to their business.
Respect these confidences.
11. OBTAIN AND USE COMPANY ASSETS WISELY
Personal use of Company property must always be in accordance with corporate
policy. Proper use of Company property, information resources, material,
facilities and equipment is your responsibility. Use and maintain these assets
with the utmost care and respect, guarding against waste and abuse, and never
borrow or remove Company property without management's permission.
12. FOLLOW THE LAW AND USE COMMON SENSE IN POLITICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND
ACTIVITIES
Siclone encourages its employees to become involved in civic affairs and to
participate in the political process. Employees must understand, however, that
their involvement and participation must be on an individual basis, on their own
time and at their own expense. In the United States, federal law prohibits
corporations from donating corporate funds, goods, or services, directly or
indirectly, to candidates for federal offices -- this includes employees' work
time. Local and state laws also govern political contributions and activities as
they apply to their respective jurisdictions.
13. BOARD COMMITTEES.
The Company shall establish an Audit Committee empowered to enforce this Code of
Ethics. The Audit Committee will report to the Board of Directors at least once
each year regarding the general effectiveness of the Company's Code of Ethics,
the Company's controls and reporting procedures and the Company's business
conduct.
14. DISCIPLINARY MEASURES.
The Company shall consistently enforce its Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
through appropriate means of discipline. Violations of the Code shall be
promptly reported to the Audit Committee. Pursuant to procedures adopted by it,
the Audit Committee shall determine whether violations of the Code have occurred
and, if so, shall determine the disciplinary measures to be taken against any
employee or agent of the Company who has so violated the Code.
The disciplinary measures, which may be invoked at the discretion of the Audit
Committee, include, but are not limited to, counseling, oral or written
reprimands, warnings, probation or suspension without pay, demotions, reductions
in salary, termination of employment and restitution.
Persons subject to disciplinary measures shall include, in addition to the
violator, others involved in the wrongdoing such as (i) persons who fail to use
reasonable care to detect a violation, (ii) persons who if requested to divulge
information withhold material information regarding a violation, and (iii)
supervisors who approve or condone the violations or attempt to retaliate
against employees or agents for reporting violations or violators.