fy08proxy.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C.  20549

SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

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AVX Corporation Graphic
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AVX Corporation Graphic
801 17th Avenue South    •     Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577
 
To our Shareholders:
 
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of AVX Corporation (the "Company"), a Delaware corporation, will be held at the AVX Seaboard Facility located at 1900 Highway 501 East, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577, on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., for the purpose of acting upon the following matters:
 
1.  
To elect as Class III Directors the three nominees named in the attached proxy statement;
 
2.  
To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP as the Company's independent accountants for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009; and
 
3.  
To transact any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
Only shareholders of record of the Company on May 30, 2008, will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.
 
Pursuant to new rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we are providing access to our proxy materials over the Internet. On or about June 10, 2008, we will mail our shareholders a Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Material (the “Notice of Internet Availability”), in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our board of directors for use at the annual meeting of shareholders and any adjournments or postponements thereof. On the date of mailing, we will make our Proxy Statement, including this Notice of Annual Meeting and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 (in lieu of a separate annual report) accessible on the Internet according to the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability. The Notice of Internet Availability will instruct you as to how you may access and review all of the important information contained in the proxy materials, how you may submit your proxy over the Internet or by mail, and how to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K is also available electronically to shareholders on the Company’s website at www.avx.com.
 
In order that your shares of stock may be represented at the Annual Meeting, please complete, date and sign the proxy card and return it promptly, or use telephone or Internet voting (as explained in the Notice of Internet Availability and in the proxy voting instructions attached to the proxy card) before the Annual Meeting.  If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote in person even if you have previously voted.
AVX Corporation Signature
Kurt Cummings
Corporate Secretary
 
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
June 10, 2008
 
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
PLEASE COMPLETE, DATE AND SIGN YOUR PROXY CARD AND PROMPTLY RETURN IT IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE, OR USE TELEPHONE OR INTERNET VOTING BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS

 
Page
 
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  1
 
Proposal One – Election of Directors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  2
 
  4
 
  5
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  6
 
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  6
 
Board of Directors – Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  6
 
Board of Directors – Meetings Held and Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  8
 
Director Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  9
 
Equity Compensation Plan Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  11
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  11
 
Report of the Audit Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  12
 
Relationship with Kyocera and Related Transactions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  14
 
  15
 
Compensation Discussion and Analysis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  15
 
Executive Compensation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  18
 
Shareholder Proposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  24
 
Proxy Solicitation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  25
 
Proxy Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
  26
801 17th Avenue South, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

PROXY STATEMENT
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
To be held Wednesday, July 23, 2008


This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of AVX Corporation ("AVX" or the "Company") in connection with the solicitation on behalf of the Board of Directors (the "Board") of proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (as may be adjourned, the "Annual Meeting") to be held on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at 10:00 a.m., at the AVX Seaboard Facility located at 1900 Highway 501 East, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29577, and any adjournment thereof.  The Company expects that this Proxy Statement, with the accompanying proxy and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, will be made available electronically to shareholders over the Internet on or about June 10, 2008.
 
Each share of AVX common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), outstanding at the close of business on May 30, 2008, will be entitled to one vote on all matters acted upon at the Annual Meeting.  On May 30, 2008, 170,967,053 shares of Common Stock were outstanding.
 
Shares will be voted in accordance with the instructions indicated in a properly executed proxy.  In the event that voting instructions are omitted on any such proxy, the shares represented by such proxy will be voted as recommended by the Board.  Shareholders have the right to revoke their proxies at any time prior to a vote being taken by: (i) delivering written notice of revocation before the Annual Meeting to the Corporate Secretary at the Company's principal offices; (ii) delivering a proxy bearing a later date or time than the proxy being revoked; (iii) resubmitting a vote by telephone or Internet (as explained in the proxy voting instructions attached to the proxy card); or (iv) voting in person at the Annual Meeting. You may attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person if you are a shareholder of record on May 30, 2008. If your shares are held in “street name” by your broker or bank, you may vote your shares in person only if you have a legal proxy from the entity that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares. A legal proxy is a written document from your brokerage firm or bank authorizing you to vote the shares it holds in its name.
 
The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of shareholders holding in the aggregate a majority of the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  The affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock of the Company present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is required for the election of the directors.  Proxies indicating shareholder abstentions will, in accordance with Delaware law, be counted as represented at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum present, but will not be voted for or against any proposal to which the abstention relates.  Abstentions will also be counted as a vote cast on any proposal (other than the election of directors) and, accordingly, will have the effect of a vote against the proposal.  Shares represented by "broker non-votes" (i.e., shares held by brokers or nominees that are represented at a meeting, but with respect to which the broker or nominee is not empowered to vote on a particular proposal) will be counted for purposes of determining whether there is a quorum, but will not be voted on such matter and will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast on such matter.  With respect to any matter brought before the Annual Meeting requiring the affirmative vote of a majority or other proportion of the outstanding shares, an abstention or broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote against the matter being voted upon.
 
The Company has been informed by the Trustee for the Company's retirement plans that shares of Common Stock held by the Trustee for such plans will be voted by the Trustee in accordance with instructions received from the participants, and if no instructions are received with respect to any shares, such shares will be voted in the same proportion as shares for which instructions are received from other participants in the plan.
-1-
  At the date of this Proxy Statement, management does not know of any matter to be brought before the Annual Meeting for action other than the matters described in the Notice of Annual Meeting and matters incident thereto.  If any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the holders of the proxies will vote and act with respect to such matters in accordance with their best judgment.  Discretionary authority to do so is conferred by the proxy.
 
Holders of our common stock are not entitled to dissenters’ rights or appraisal rights with respect to the proposals to be considered at the Annual Meeting.

 
PROPOSAL I
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

NOMINATIONS FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors has fixed the size of the Board at eleven (11).  It is currently divided into three classes elected for staggered three year terms.  Each director holds office until a successor has been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s death, resignation, or removal in the manner provided in the Company’s By-laws.  The Board of Directors proposes that the nominees identified below be elected as directors to serve for the terms indicated.
 
Directors Standing for Election
 
CLASS III
 
Terms expiring at the Annual Meeting in 2011
 
KENSUKE ITOH Age 70 - Appointed to the Board in February 2008. Retired from the Board effective July 2007 having been a member since 1990. Advisor and Director of Kyocera Corporation (“Kyocera”), the Company’s majority shareholder, since 2005. Chairman of the Board and Representative Director of Kyocera from 1999 to 2005.
 
YUZO YAMAMURA Age 66 - Member of the Board since 1995.  Vice Chairman of the Board and Representative Director of Kyocera since 2006.  Director of Kyocera since 2003. President of Kyocera Elco Corporation, a subsidiary of Kyocera, since 1992.
 
DONALD B. CHRISTIANSEN Age 69 - Member of the Board since 2002.  Retired from AVX in 2000.  Senior Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from 1997 to 2000.  Vice President of Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from 1994 to 1997.  Chief Financial Officer from 1992 to 1994.  Member of the Board from 1992 to 2000.
 
 
The three persons listed above have been nominated by the Board.  Mr. Yamamura and Mr. Christiansen are nominated for re-election to the Board. Mr. Itoh served on the Board from 1990 until July of 2007. He was appointed by the Board in February 2008 to fill the vacancy created by the death of Mr. Masahiro Umemura and is nominated herein for election to the Board.  Unless contrary instructions are given, it is intended that the votes represented by the proxies will be cast FOR the election of the persons listed above as directors.  In the event that any of the nominees should become unavailable to stand for election, the Board may designate a substitute.  It is intended that all properly executed and returned proxies will be voted FOR such substitute nominee.
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS
A VOTE "FOR" ELECTION OF THE PERSONS LISTED ABOVE.
 
-2-
Directors Continuing in Office

CLASS I

Terms expiring at the Annual Meeting in 2010
 
KAZUO INAMORI  Age 76 - Chairman Emeritus of the Board since 1997. Chairman Emeritus of Kyocera since 2005. Chairman Emeritus and Director of Kyocera from 1997 to 2005.

NOBORU NAKAMURA Age 63 - Member of the Board since 2007. Chairman of the Board and Representative Director of Kyocera since 2006.  Director of Kyocera since 2003. President and Representative Director of Kyocera Chemical Corporation, a subsidiary of Kyocera, since 2005.
 
BENEDICT P. ROSEN Age 71 - Chairman of the Board since 1997.  President from 1993 to 1997, Chief Executive Officer from 1993 to 2001.  Retired from AVX in 2001. Member of the Board since 1990.  Executive Vice President from 1985 to 1993.  Senior Managing and Representative Director of Kyocera from 1995 to 2002 and previously served as a Managing Director of Kyocera from 1992 to 1995.  Director of Crescent Bank, Crescent Mortgage Company, Nordson Corporation, Trelys Fund and Carolina Financial Institution.
 
DAVID A. DECENZO Age 53 - Member of the Board since 2007. President of Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina (“CCU”) since 2007.  From 2006 to 2007 Senior Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost at CCU.  From 2002 to 2006, Dean of the E. Craig Wall, Sr., Wall College of Business Administration at CCU.  From 1992 to 2002, Director of partnership development in the College of Business and Economics at Towson University in Maryland.
 
CLASS II

Terms expiring at the Annual Meeting in 2009
 
JOHN S. GILBERTSON Age 64 - Chief Executive Officer since 2001.  President since 1997.  Chief Operating Officer from 1994 to 2001 and a member of the Board since 1990.  Executive Vice President from 1992 to 1997, Senior Vice President from 1990 to 1992 and employed by the Company since 1981.  Managing Director of Kyocera since 1999 and Director of Kyocera since 1995.  Member of the Board of Directors of Kyocera International Inc. (“KII”), a U.S. subsidiary of Kyocera, since 2001.

JOHN S. GILBERTSON Age 64 - Chief Executive Officer since 2001.  President since 1997.  Chief Operating Officer from 1994 to 2001 and a member of the Board since 1990.  Executive Vice President from 1992 to 1997, Senior Vice President from 1990 to 1992 and employed by the Company since 1981.  Managing Director of Kyocera since 1999 and Director of Kyocera since 1995.  Member of the Board of Directors of Kyocera International Inc. (“KII”), a U.S. subsidiary of Kyocera, since 2001.
 
MAKOTO KAWAMURA Age 58 - Member of the Board since 2006. President and Representative Director of Kyocera since 2005.  Managing Executive Officer of Kyocera from 2003 to 2005.
 
RODNEY N. LANTHORNE Age 63 - Member of the Board since 1990.  President of KII since 1987.  Director of Kyocera since 2003. Senior Managing and Representative Director of Kyocera from 1999 to 2003.  Director of Kyocera from 1988 to 1999.
 
JOSEPH STACH Age 69 - Member of the Board since 2004.  Retired since October 2003.  Vice President of Advanced Energy Industries, a manufacturer of products for hi-tech manufacturing processes, from 1998 to 2003.  Chairman, CEO and President of RF Power Products, Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of radio frequency power delivery systems, from 1991 to 1998.  Executive Director, Center for Microelectronics Research, University of South Florida from 1988 to 1991.  
-3-
 
 
PROPOSAL II
PROPOSED RATIFICATION OF
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

The Audit Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC"), an independent registered public accounting firm, as the independent accountants to examine and audit the accounts of the Company for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009.  In the event that ratification of this selection of independent accountants is not approved by the shareholders, the Audit Committee will reconsider the selection of independent accountants.  Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of different independent accountants at any time during the year.
 
A representative of PwC is expected to be in attendance at the Annual Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement or to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.
 
See “Report of the Audit Committee – Principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees” for information relating to the fees of PwC during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008.


THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF PwC AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.
 
The Common Stock is the only class of equity securities of the Company outstanding.  As of March 31, 2008, the directors and each executive officer currently named in the Summary Compensation Table below, individually, and all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group, beneficially owned (i) shares of Common Stock of the Company and (ii) equity securities of Kyocera, as follows:
 
Name
 
Amount
and Nature of Beneficial Ownership of Outstanding AVX Shares (1)
 
Number of AVX Shares Underlying Exercisable Options (2)
 
Total AVX Shares
 
Percentage of AVX Common Stock (3)
 
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership of Outstanding Kyocera Equity Securities (1)
 
Number of Kyocera Equity Securities Underlying Exercisable Options (4)
 
Total Kyocera Equity Securities
 
Percentage of Kyocera Equity Securities
(5)
                                 
Benedict P. Rosen
 
110,279
 
122,500
 
232,779
 
*
 
900
 
-0-
 
900
 
*
Kazuo Inamori
 
20,000
 
52,000
 
72,000
 
*
 
11,486,165 (6)
 
-0-
 
11,486,165
 
6.06%
John S. Gilbertson
 
94,199
 
731,500
 
825,699
 
*
 
18,186
 
13,500
 
31,686
 
*
Donald B. Christiansen
11,776
 
10,000
 
21,776
 
*
 
-0-
 
-0-
 
-0-
 
*
Kensuke Itoh
 
6,000
 
15,000
 
21,000
 
*
 
527,072
 
-0-
 
527,072
 
*
Noboru Nakamura
 
1,000
 
-0-
 
1,000
 
*
 
4,200
 
-0-
 
4,200
 
*
Makoto Kawamura
 
1,000
 
5,000
 
6,000
 
*
 
3,000
 
14,000
 
17,000
 
*
Rodney N. Lanthorne
2,000
 
52,000
 
54,000
 
*
 
3,589
 
9,500
 
13,089
 
*
David A. DeCenzo
 
-0-
 
-0-
 
-0-
 
*
 
-0-
 
-0-
 
-0-
 
*
Joseph Stach
 
1,000
 
15,000
 
16,000
 
*
 
-0-
 
-0-
 
-0-
 
*
Yuzo Yamamura
 
2,000
 
52,000
 
54,000
 
*
 
82,000
 
18,000
 
100,000
 
*
C. Marshall Jackson
 
27,177
 
242,500
 
269,677
 
*
 
5,275
 
-0-
 
5,275
 
*
Peter Venuto
 
8,983
 
110,350
 
119,333
 
*
 
586
 
-0-
 
586
 
*
Peter Collis
 
-0-
 
121,902
 
121,902
 
*
 
-0-
 
-0-
 
-0-
 
*
Kurt Cummings
 
9,853
 
99,500
 
109,353
 
*
 
235
 
-0-
 
235
 
*
                                 
All directors and executive officers as a group
(A total of 20 individuals including those named above)
338,949
 
2,122,312
 
2,461,261
 
1.44%
 
7,453,435
 
55,000
 
7,508,435
 
3.96%

  * Less than 1%
 
(1)  
Includes interests, if any, in shares held in the AVX Nonqualified Supplemental Retirement Plan and AVX Corporation Retirement Plan Trusts and shares that are owned directly by or jointly with family members. Does not include shares of AVX that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the above-named persons that are also directors of Kyocera. See the AVX shares beneficially owned by Kyocera in the “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners” table below.

(2)  
Includes AVX shares under options exercisable as of March 31, 2008, and options which become exercisable within 60 days thereafter under the AVX Corporation  1995 Stock Option Plan (the “1995 Stock Option Plan”), the AVX Corporation 2004 Stock Option Plan (the “2004 Stock Option Plan” and, together with the 1995 Stock Option Plan, the “Stock Option Plans”), the AVX Corporation Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan”), or the AVX Corporation 2004 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan (the “2004 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan” and, together with the  Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan, the “Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plans”).

(3)  
Based on a total number of 171,065,540 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2008.

(4)  
Includes Kyocera shares under options exercisable as of March 31, 2008, and options which become exercisable within 60 days thereafter under the Kyocera Stock Option Plan.

(5)  
Based on a total number of 189,454,171 shares of Kyocera equity securities outstanding as of March 31, 2008.

(6)  
Includes 4,680,000 shares held by the Inamori Foundation as to which Mr. Inamori, as President of the foundation, may be deemed to have voting and investment power.  The aforementioned shares are not included in the total shares held by all directors and executive officers as a group.
-5-
  The information provided in the above chart as to each director and named executive officer, individually, and all directors and executive officers as a group, is based, in part, on information received from such individuals.
 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
 
Set forth below is a table indicating those persons whom the management of the Company believes to be beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock as of March 31, 2008.
 

Name and Address
of Beneficial Owner
 
Shares
Beneficially Owned
 
Percent
of Class (1)
Kyocera Corporation
6 Takeda Tobadono-cho
Fushimi-ku, Kyoto 612-8501, Japan
 
121,800,000
 (2)
 
71.2%
 
Third Avenue Management LLC
622 Third Avenue, 32nd Floor
New York, NY  10017-2023
 
19,313,289
 (3)
 
11.3%
 
(1)  
Based on a total number of 171,065,540 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of March 31, 2008.
 
(2)  
The shares held by Kyocera are subject to the voting and investment control of Kyocera's Board of Directors.
 
(3)  
Shares shown as beneficially owned by Third Avenue Management LLC are reported in a Form 13G/A filed by Third Avenue Management LLC dated as of February 14, 2008.  Based on that filing, Third Avenue Management LLC has sole voting power with respect to 17,053,214 shares and sole dispositive power with respect to 19,313,289 shares.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
 
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's directors, officers and persons who own more than 10% of the Common Stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of any class of the Company's equity securities.  To the Company's knowledge, during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, all of its directors, officers and persons who hold more than 10% of the Common Stock complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements.
 
Board of Directors – Governance
 
The Board has adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines to assist it in the performance of its duties and the exercise of its responsibilities and in accordance with the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE").  The guidelines are available on the Company's website at www.avx.com in the "Corporate Information – Corporate Governance" section.  The Board has also adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all of our directors and employees.  The code is available on the Company's website at www.avx.com in the "Corporate Information – Corporate Governance" section.  You may request a copy of the guidelines or code by sending a request to the Secretary at P.O. Box 867, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29578.
 
Mr. Rosen has been selected by the Board as the "Presiding Director" to preside over executive sessions of the Board in which members of management do not participate.
-6-
Because a majority of the Company's shares are owned by Kyocera, the Company is considered a "controlled company" under the applicable rules of the NYSE.  Accordingly, the Company is not required to, and does not have a Board of Directors with a majority of independent directors or Nominating/Corporate Governance and Compensation Committees comprised entirely of independent directors.  Nevertheless, the Board has determined that Messrs. Christiansen, DeCenzo and Stach are independent under NYSE listing standards.  The Board has determined that an independent director is one who is free from any relationship that would interfere with his or her exercise of independent business judgment, receives no compensation from the Company or its subsidiaries other than director’s fees and is not an affiliate of the Company or its subsidiaries.  The AVX/Kyocera Foundation, which may be considered an affiliate of the Company, donated approximately $160,000 and $205,000 to CCU during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, for educational purposes.  The Board considered Mr. DeCenzo’s position at CCU, and has determined that such donations do not impair Mr. DeCenzo’s independence.

The Company's Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Board as a whole is responsible for nominating individuals for election to the Board by the shareholders based on candidates suggested by members of the Board, management and shareholders.  The Board does not currently operate under a formal written charter when discharging its nominating functions.
 
 The Board has not adopted specific objective requirements for service on the Board.  Instead, the Board will consider various factors in determining whether to nominate an individual for election by the shareholders.  Among other things, the Board expects each Director to:

·  
understand AVX's businesses and the marketplaces in which it operates;
 
·  
regularly attend meetings of the Board and of the committees on which he or she serves;
 
·  
review and understand the materials provided in advance of meetings and any other materials provided to the Board from time to time;
 
·  
actively, objectively and constructively participate in meetings and the strategic decision-making processes;
 
·  
share his or her perspective, background, experience, knowledge and insights as they relate to the matters before the Board and its committees; and
 
·  
be reasonably available when requested to advise the CEO and management on specific issues not requiring the attention of the full Board but where an individual director's insights might be helpful to the CEO or management.
 
Mr. Itoh was recommended to the Board by Kyocera.

The Board will consider candidates recommended by shareholders in the same manner as other candidates.

Shareholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with the Board (including, in the case of shareholders, in order to recommend or nominate director candidates to the Board), individual board members, the Chairman of the Board (currently the Presiding Director) or the non-management directors as a group may do so by either of the following means:

·  
send correspondence by email to compliance@avxus.com; or
·  
write to AVX Corporation, Compliance Office, P.O. Box 3456, Myrtle Beach, SC  29578-3456.

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All questions and concerns will be received and processed by the Corporate Compliance Office.  Questions and concerns relating to AVX's accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters will be referred to the Chairman of the Audit Committee.  Questions and concerns addressed to the Board will be referred to the Presiding Director.  Other questions and concerns will be processed by the Corporate Compliance Office and forwarded to the addressees or distributed at the next scheduled Board meeting, as appropriate.
 
To be timely, a stockholder's proposal for the recommendation or nomination of directors must be received by the Company in the timeframes described under “Shareholder Proposals” elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.  A stockholder's proposal for nomination must comply with the requirements of the By-Laws of the Company.  The By-laws of the Company were amended and restated on December 21, 2007  to require that a stockholder providing notice of an intent to nominate a director for election at the annual meeting of stockholders must include in such notice a description of all arrangements or understandings among the stockholder and each nominee and any other person or persons (naming such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the stockholder and all information regarding each nominee that would be required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  Such notice of intent to make a nomination shall be accompanied by the written consent of each nominee to serve as director of the Company if so elected.  

Board of Directors - Meetings Held and Committees
 
The Board held four meetings during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.  During that period, all of the current directors, except Mr. Inamori, attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and meetings of the committees of the Board on which they served during the period in which they served as directors.  The directors are encouraged and expected to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders if reasonably possible.  All of the directors except for Messrs. Inamori and Umemura attended the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on July 18, 2007.

The Board has the following standing committees and no nominating committee:

Executive Committee.  The Executive Committee has been delegated authority by the Board to exercise the powers of the Board in matters pertaining to the management of the business.  The Executive Committee held no meetings during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.  The members of the Executive Committee are Messrs. Inamori (Chairman), Gilbertson, Lanthorne, Itoh, Nakamura and Kawamura.

Audit Committee.  The Audit Committee has been established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act and operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors.  The Audit Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility relating to the integrity of the Company's consolidated financial statements and the financial reporting processes; the systems of internal accounting and financial controls; the annual independent audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements; the independent registered public accounting firm's qualifications and independence; the performance of the Company's internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm and any other areas of potential financial risks to the Company specified by the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee is also responsible for hiring, retaining and terminating the Company's independent registered public accounting firm.  The Audit Committee met nine times during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

The Audit Committee is comprised of three members.  The members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Christiansen (Chairman), Stach and DeCenzo.  Each member of the Audit Committee is financially literate, knowledgeable and qualified to review financial statements.  The Board of Directors has determined that the Company has at least one "audit committee financial expert", as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), serving on the Audit Committee.  The "audit committee financial expert" designated by the Board is Mr. Christiansen.  The Board of Directors has determined that the members of the Audit Committee are "independent" under the currently applicable rules of the NYSE.
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The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee.  The charter, as amended, is available on the Company's website at www.avx.com in the "Corporate Information – Corporate Governance" section. You may request a copy of the charter by sending a request to the Corporate Secretary at P.O. Box 867, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina 29578.
 
Compensation Committee.  The Compensation Committee has the full power and authority of the Board with respect to the determination of compensation for all executive officers of the Company.  The Compensation Committee does not have a formal written charter.  The Compensation Committee also has full power and authority over any compensation plan approved by the Board for employees of the Company and its subsidiaries, other than the Stock Option Plans, including the issuance of shares of Common Stock, as the Compensation Committee may deem necessary or desirable in accordance with such compensation plans.  The Compensation Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.  The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Inamori (Chairman), Rosen, Stach, Nakumura, and Kawamura.  Additional information regarding the Compensation Committee and its processes and procedures for the consideration and determination of executive compensation can be found in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section in this Proxy Statement.

Equity Compensation Committee.  The Equity Compensation Committee is responsible for any action on all matters concerning the Stock Option Plans.  This committee consists of Messrs. DeCenzo (Chairman), Stach, Nakamura and Kawamura.  The Equity Compensation Committee held one meeting during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

Special Advisory Committee.  The Special Advisory Committee is comprised of independent directors.  The committee is required to review and approve all material agreements and transactions not covered by such agreements between the Company and related parties and to meet periodically in executive session.  The Special Advisory Committee held four meetings during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.  The members of the Special Advisory Committee are Messrs. Stach (Chairman), DeCenzo and Christiansen.

Director Compensation
 
The Board of Directors determines compensation for all directors. The following table and narrative provides information related to the compensation of directors during fiscal 2008.

 
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
Option Awards
Total
Name (1)
($)
($) (2) (3)
($)
       
Benedict P. Rosen
         $    42,500
         $    22,644
         $    65,144
Kazuo Inamori
                5,000
               22,644
               27,644
Donald B. Christiansen
               77,500
               29,638
             107,138
Kensuke Itoh  (4)
                5,000
                6,915
               11,915
Noboru Nakamura
                7,500
               13,790
               21,290
Makoto Kawamura
               10,000
               26,725
               36,725
Rodney N. Lanthorne
               10,000
               22,644
               32,644
David A. DeCenzo
               50,000
               13,790
               63,790
Joseph Stach
               75,000
               22,644
               97,644
Masahiro Umemura (5)
                2,500
               71,051
               73,551
Yuzo Yamamura
                7,500
               22,644
               30,144

(1)  
Mr. John Gilbertson, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, also serves as a director of the Company.  Information regarding the compensation paid to Mr. Gilbertson is provided in the Summary Compensation Table of this Proxy Statement.

(2)  
The aggregate number of option awards held by each of the directors as of March 31, 2008 is as follows: Benedict P. Rosen – 137,500; Kazou Inamori - 67,000; Donald B. Christiansen - 15,000; Kensuke Itoh - 15,000; Noboru Nakamura – 15,000; Makoto Kawamura - 15,000; Rodney N. Lanthorne - 67,000; David A. DeCenzo - 15,000; Joseph Stach - 30,000; Yuzo Yamamura - 67,000, Masahiro Umemura – 0.
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(3)  
Reflects the amount recognized by the Company as an expense in fiscal 2008 for financial statement reporting purposes, disregarding for this purpose the estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions.  The grant date fair value of the options awarded during fiscal 2008 was as follows: Benedict P. Rosen - $62,198; Kazou Inamori - $62,198; Noboru Nakamura - $62,198; Rodney N. Lanthorne - $62,198; David A. DeCenzo - $62,198; Joseph Stach - $62,198; Masahiro Umemura - $62,198; Yuzo Yamamura - $62,198.  These options were granted pursuant to the 2004 Non-employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan.  The assumptions made in the valuation of stock options are set forth in Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.

(4)  
Mr. Itoh retired from the Board effective July 18, 2007, but was appointed to the Board to serve out the remaining term of Mr. Umemura on February 6, 2008.

(5)  
Mr. Umemura passed away on December 25, 2007.

During the year ended March 31, 2008, each director who was not an employee of the Company or Kyocera was paid an annual director's fee of $30,000, an attendance fee of $2,500 per Board or committee meeting and reimbursement of travel expenses.  The Chairman of the Audit Committee also received an additional $5,000 per year.  Each director who was an employee of Kyocera was paid an attendance fee of $2,500 per Board or committee meeting and reimbursement of travel expenses.  In addition, each director who is not an employee of the Company is granted stock options pursuant to the Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plans.
 
AVX feels that it is important for members of the Board to be shareholders of the Company, to have an incentive to help the Company grow and prosper, and to share in that prosperity.  The 2004 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan authorizes the issuance of up to 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock, and provides for the grant of an option to purchase 15,000 shares of Common Stock to each director not employed by AVX (a “Non-Employee Director”) as of the date on which a Non-Employee Director is elected to the Board for the first time and every third anniversary thereafter.  In addition, options to purchase shares of Common Stock may also be granted from time to time upon prior approval by the Board.  The options become exercisable 33 1/3% one year after the date of the grant and an additional 33 1/3% at the end of each of the following two years, provided that in order to exercise the options, the Non-Employee Director must continue to be a director at the date of exercise.  However, if the Non-Employee Director's service terminates due to retirement, death or disability, his options shall thereupon become fully vested.  Options have an exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value (as defined in the plan) of the Common Stock on the date of grant.

The Deferred Compensation Plan for Eligible Board Members allows each director not employed by AVX or Kyocera (an "Outside Director"), at his election, to defer payment of certain portions of his compensation as a director.  Deferrals are invested in an AVX Phantom Share Unit Fund.  Each deferral is converted into a hypothetical investment in Common Stock using the price of the stock at each deferral period.  At the time of pay out of the deferred accounts, the Company disburses to the Outside Director an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock "purchased" by the Outside Director during the entire deferral period, increased for any hypothetical reinvested dividends declared during the deferral period.  An Outside Director's deferred account is paid, at the director's election, either on the 10th anniversary of each annual deferral or upon his ceasing to be a member of the Board of Directors. No directors are currently participating in the Plan.
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Equity Compensation Plan Information
 
The following table provides information as of March 31, 2008 about the Common Stock that may be issued under all of the Company’s existing equity compensation plans.
 

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 security holders
4,829,230
$15.99
9,868,000
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
230,754  (1)
 
(1)  
Members of the Board of Directors who are not employees of AVX or Kyocera are eligible to defer their annual director's fee and attendance fees in an AVX Phantom Share Unit Fund under the Deferred Compensation Plan for Eligible Board Members (not approved by shareholders) based on the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at each Credit Date (all as defined in the plan).  Payment of account balances to an eligible director (as prescribed in "Compensation of Directors" above) is payable in the form of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the whole number of Phantom Shares Units (as defined) credited to such director under the plan.  See "Compensation of Directors" above for more information.
 
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
 
During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the Compensation Committee was comprised of Messrs. Inamori, Rosen, Umemura (who passed away in December 2007), Nakamura and Kawamura and the Equity Compensation Committee was comprised of Messrs. DeCenzo, Stach, Umemura (who passed away in December 2007), Nakamura and Kawamura.  Mr. Rosen formerly held the offices of Chief Executive Officer, President and Executive Vice President of AVX and Senior Managing and Representative Director and Managing Director of Kyocera.  As of March 31, 2008, Dr. Inamori was Chairman Emeritus of the Boards of AVX and Kyocera, Mr. Nakamura was chairman of the Board of Kyocera and Mr. Kawamura was President of Kyocera. Prior to his death, Mr. Umemura was Vice Chairman, Executive Vice President, Representative Director and a member of the Board of Directors of Kyocera. Kyocera owns 121,800,000 shares, or approximately 71%, of the Company's outstanding Common Stock as of March 31, 2008, and has engaged in a significant number and variety of related company transactions with the Company.  The more significant arrangements and agreements between the Company and Kyocera are described under the caption "Relationship with Kyocera and Related Transactions" below.  For additional information concerning positions with Kyocera held by executive officers and directors of the Company, see "Proposal I – Election of Directors – Nominations for the Board of Directors" above.  Except as described above, no member of the Board or the Compensation Committee serves as a member of a board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Board or Compensation Committee.
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Report of the Audit Committee
 
In accordance with its written charter, as adopted by the Board of Directors, the Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility for oversight of the quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices of the Company.  During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, the Audit Committee met nine times, and the Audit Committee discussed the interim financial information contained in each quarterly earnings announcement with the Chief Financial Officer and independent registered public accounting firm prior to each public release.
 
In discharging its oversight responsibility as to the audit process, the Audit Committee obtained from the independent registered public accounting firm a formal written statement describing all relationships between the accountants and the Company that might bear on the accountants' independence consistent with Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, "Independence Discussions with Audit Committees", discussed with the accountants any relationships that may impact their objectivity and independence and satisfied itself as to the accountants' independence. The Audit Committee also discussed with management and the independent registered public accounting firm the quality and adequacy of the Company's internal controls.  The Audit Committee reviewed with the independent registered public accounting firm its audit plans, audit scope, and identification of audit risks.

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed with the independent registered public accounting firm all communications required by generally accepted auditing standards, including those described in Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended, "Communication with Audit Committees", and, with and without management present, discussed and reviewed the results of the independent registered public accounting firm's examination of the financial statements.

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements of the Company as of and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, with management and the independent registered public accounting firm.  Management has the responsibility for the preparation of the Company's financial statements, and the independent registered public accounting firm has the responsibility for the examination of those statements.

Based on the above-mentioned review and discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board or Directors that the Company's audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The Audit Committee also reappointed the independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2009.

SUBMITTED BY THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Donald B. Christiansen, Chairman
Joseph Stach
David DeCenzo
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Principal Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Fees
 
As reflected in the table below, the Company incurred fees of $5,189,525 and $4,537,973 in fiscal 2007 and 2008, respectively, for services performed by PwC. Of these sums, $5,019,281 in fiscal 2007 and $4,243,904 in fiscal 2008 were for audit and audit related services. PwC did not perform any financial system consulting services in fiscal 2007 or 2008.
 
 
           2007
           2008
     
Audit Fees (1)
$ 4,942,194
$ 4,226,704
Audit Related Fees (2)
77,087
17,200
Tax Fees (3)
157,766
281,650
Other Fees
       12,478
       12,419
Total Fees
$ 5,189,525
$ 4,537,973

(1)  
Audit Fees represent fees for the annual audit of the Company's financial statements, the audit of the Company's internal control over financial reporting, the review of the interim financial statements included in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other services performed in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.
 
(2)  
Audit Related Fees include fees for services that were reasonably related to the performance of the reviews of the Company's financial statements (but which are not included under Audit Fees).  Audit related fees consist primarily of attestation related services required by regulatory and governmental agencies and employee benefit plan audits.

(3)  
Tax Fees represent fees for consultation on tax matters and tax compliance services.

The Audit Committee of the Company's Board of Directors determined that the provision of non-audit services by PwC to the Company during fiscal 2007 and fiscal 2008 was compatible with maintaining the independent registered public accounting firm's independence.
 
It is the policy of the Audit Committee to pre-approve all audit and permitted non-audit services (and the related fees and terms) to be provided to the Company by the independent registered public accounting firm.  The authority to pre-approve non-audit services may be delegated by the Audit Committee to one or more members of the Committee, who shall present any decision to pre-approve an activity to the full Committee at the first meeting following such decision.  None of the services described above were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the exception provided by Rule 2-01(c)(7)(i)(C) under Regulation S-X.
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Relationship With Kyocera and Related Transactions
 
Since January 1990, Kyocera and AVX have engaged in a significant number and variety of related party transactions, including, without limitation, the transactions referred to in Note 14 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in AVX's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.  One principal strategic advantage for the Company is its ability to produce a broad product offering to its customers.  The inclusion of products manufactured by Kyocera in that product offering is a significant component of this advantage.  In addition, the exchange of information with Kyocera relating to the development and manufacture of multi-layer capacitors and various other ceramic products benefits the Company.  An adverse change in the Company's relationship with Kyocera could have a negative impact on the Company's results of operations.  AVX also has established several ongoing arrangements with Kyocera and has executed several agreements, the more significant of which are described below.  In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, AVX had purchases of $517.2 million from Kyocera and received sales and other revenue of $31.8 million from Kyocera under these agreements.  Except for the Buzzer Assembly Agreement, each of the agreements described below contain provisions requiring that the terms of any transaction under such agreement be equivalent to that to which an independent unrelated party would agree at arm's-length. The Special Advisory Committee of the Board is comprised of the independent directors of AVX and reviews and approves such agreements and any significant transactions between AVX and Kyocera not covered by such agreements.  Periodically, the Special Advisory Committee reviews a summary of the Company's transactions with Kyocera to identify any significant transactions not covered by such agreements and investigates the nature and the terms of such transactions.

Products Supply and Distribution Agreement.  Pursuant to the Products Supply and Distribution Agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") (i) AVX will act as the non-exclusive distributor of certain Kyocera-manufactured products to certain customers in certain territories outside of Japan, and (ii) Kyocera will act as the non-exclusive distributor of certain AVX-manufactured products within Japan.  The Distribution Agreement has a term of one year, with automatic one-year renewals, subject to the right of termination by either party at the end of the then current term upon at least three months prior written notice.

Disclosure and Option to License Agreement.  Pursuant to the Disclosure and Option to License Agreement (the "License Agreement"), AVX and Kyocera exchange confidential information relating to the development and manufacture of multi-layered ceramic capacitors and various other ceramic products, as well as the license of technologies in certain circumstances.  The License Agreement was amended effective April 1, 2008 with no material changes to the prior agreement except that the current agreement has changed from an annual renewal to automatic one-year renewals, subject to the right of termination by either party at the end of the then current term upon at least six months prior written notice.

Materials Supply Agreement.  Pursuant to the Materials Supply Agreement (the "Supply Agreement"), AVX and Kyocera will from time to time supply the other party with certain raw and semi-processed materials used in the manufacture of capacitors and other electronic components.  The Supply Agreement has a term of one year, with automatic one-year renewals, subject to the right of termination by either party at the end of the then current term upon at least six months prior written notice.

Buzzer Assembly Agreement.  Pursuant to the Buzzer Assembly Agreement (the "Buzzer Agreement"), AVX assembles certain electronic components for Kyocera in AVX's Juarez, Mexico facility.  Kyocera pays AVX a fixed cost mutually agreed upon by the parties for each component assembled, plus a profit margin.  The Buzzer Agreement has automatic one-year renewals, subject to the right of termination by either party at the end of the then current term upon at least six months prior written notice.

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Machinery and Equipment Purchase Agreement.  Pursuant to the Machinery and Equipment Purchase Agreement (the "Machinery Purchase Agreement"), AVX and Kyocera will, from time to time, design and manufacture for the other party certain equipment and machinery of a proprietary and confidential nature used in the manufacture of capacitors and other electronic components.  The Machinery Purchase Agreement has a term of one year, with automatic one-year renewals, subject to the right of termination by either party at the end of the then current term upon at least six months prior written notice.
 
Compensation Committee and Equity Compensation Committee Report
 
The Compensation Committee and the Equity Compensation Committee believe the executive compensation program and the stock option program, respectively, are appropriate to accomplish the programs’ goals of attracting, retaining and motivating highly qualified management professionals.  The Compensation Committee and the Equity Compensation Committee have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and based on the review and discussions, the Compensation Committee and the Equity Compensation Committee recommend to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement and incorporated by reference in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year and March 31, 2008.
 
SUBMITTED BY THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE AND THE EQUITY COMPENSATION COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Kazuo Inamori, Chairman of Compensation Committee
Benedict Rosen
Joseph Stach
Noboru Nakamura
Makoto Kawamura

David DeCenzo, Chairman of Equity Compensation Committee
Joseph Stach
Noboru Nakamura
Makoto Kawamura
 
Compensation Discussion and Analysis
 
The Company's compensation policy reflects an objective to promote executive compensation programs that enable the Company to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified management professionals who are encouraged to work as a team to accomplish the Company’s goals and objectives.  The Company's compensation philosophy is to directly align executive compensation with the financial performance of the organization.  The Company believes that the relationship between executive compensation and Company performance will create a benefit for all shareholders.
 
The executive compensation programs have been developed by the Compensation Committee using various factors over time, which have sometimes included the use of outside consultants to review industry competition executive compensation programs, although the Committee does not set compensation levels based on any particular benchmarking against a peer group. No such review was performed during the last three fiscal years. The Chief Executive Officer has historically played a significant role in the recommendation of the amounts of base salary, salary adjustments, incentive compensation and equity-based compensation to be paid to other members of senior management. The key elements of the executive compensation programs are base salary, annual incentive bonus and stock options, in addition to those benefits provided under the Company's retirement and deferred compensation plans.

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The Compensation Committee or the Equity Compensation Committee, as applicable, reviews and approves each element of the Company's executive compensation programs and periodically assesses the effectiveness of the programs as a whole.  These programs cover the Chief Executive Officer, other named executive officers, and all other executive officers of the Company.  Specifically, the committees approve the salaries of all executive officers, cash awards under the Company's Management Incentive Plan ("MIP"), the grant of stock options under the Stock Option Plans, and the provision of any significant special benefits or perquisites to executive officers. Each component of compensation for the executive officers, including those established for 2008, is set on a discretionary, not formulaic, basis taking into account a subjective assessment of the individual’s overall performance rather than specific corporate performance goals, and for all executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer is set principally based on the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations.
 
Base Salary Program
 
The base salary program is, in general and for 2008 in particular, intended to provide base salary levels that are externally competitive and internally equitable, and to reflect each individual's sustained performance and cumulative contribution to the Company.  Each executive officer's individual performance is reviewed by the Chief Executive Officer to arrive at annual merit increase recommendations. These merit increase recommendations are then reviewed by the Compensation Committee for reasonableness based on general economic factors, such as increases in the cost of living. The Chief Executive Officer’s base salary and merit increases from year to year (including 2008) are established by the Compensation Committee taking these same considerations into account.
 
Annual Cash Incentives - Management Incentive Plan
 
The MIP is intended to provide selected employees incentive to continue and increase their efforts with respect to, and remain in the employ of, the Company. The MIP provides for annual cash incentive compensation based on the Company’s pre-tax financial performance and a subjective analysis of each executive officer’s individual performance.  Bonus awards are generally paid under the MIP during the summer following each fiscal year end if the Company's financial results, excluding special, unusual, restructuring or extraordinary items, exceed a pre-determined annual profit target.  The annual pre-tax profit target is established before the beginning of each fiscal year as a part of the Company’s annual budget process.  The target profits are typically based on improving on the prior year’s actual results taking into account general economic conditions.  Given the volatility of the electronics market, the target can be challenging.  In some years, such as in the fiscal years ended March 2003 and 2004, the profit targets were not met and no annual cash incentives were paid.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2007, the profit target was exceeded by 72%, and for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008, 91% of the profit target was achieved. The bonus awards for the Chief Executive Officer are determined as a percentage of salary (up to 150% of base salary) based on results related to target profits and are paid currently in the summer when they are determined. The other executive officers' individual bonuses are determined by the Chief Executive Officer based on a subjective evaluation of each officer’s annual performance. These bonuses are derived from a pool determined as a percentage of combined salaries (up to 100% of combined base salaries) based on the Company’s financial results related to target profits.  The other executive officer bonuses are paid 75% currently in the summer when they are determined and 25% of the bonuses are paid at the end of the following fiscal year, provided the officer is employed by the Company at the time.  The annual cash incentive amounts are ultimately at the discretion of the Compensation Committee.
 
Long-Term Equity Incentives - Stock Option Plans
 
The Stock Option Plans are designed to reward executive officers and other key employees directly for increases in the long-term price of the Common Stock.  Each of the Stock Option Plans directly links the compensation of executive officers to gains by the shareholders and encourages executive officers to adopt a strong stakeholder orientation in their work.
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The Equity Compensation Committee approves option grants generally following each fiscal year end, but will consider grants at other times of the year if deemed necessary. The Chief Executive Officer recommends to the committee the potential recipients and the number of options for each other executive officer’s grant on a discretionary basis generally based on a subjective evaluation of that individual’s level of responsibility and performance. The Chief Executive Officer’s grants are established from year to year (including 2008) by the Equity Compensation Committee taking these same considerations into account. The Committee reviews and approves the final grant awards. The grant price is the fair market value on the date of grant approval, which is defined in the plans as the average of the high and low market trading price on that date. The Company does not have any program or practice to time option grants to take advantage of the release of material, non-public information.
 
Family Income Assurance Plan
 
The Company has in effect a Family Income Assurance Plan for executive officers. Coverage under this Company self-insured plan provides that, in the event of the death of an executive officer while employed by the Company, the officer’s surviving spouse, or estate, is entitled to receive the equivalent of two years base salary during the following 24 months.
 
Retirement and Other Benefits
 
Retirement, medical benefits and Board approved discretionary cash awards for executive officers are largely the same as those provided to the general salaried employee population applicable to each geographic region. The AVX Nonqualified Supplemental Retirement Plan was established to provide certain U.S. officers and other senior management with supplemental retirement benefits, primarily to promote tax efficiency and replacement of benefit opportunities lost due to regulatory limits. Amounts contributed to this plan’s separate trust earn market-based returns depending upon the investment choices made by the participant. The investment choices are the same as available under the AVX Corporation Retirement Plan. Miscellaneous benefits offered to executive officers are designed to provide a safety net of protection against the financial catastrophes that can result from liability suits, illness, disability or death.
 
Chief Executive Officer Employment Agreement
 
In addition to participation in the executive compensation programs, Mr. Gilbertson has an employment agreement that provides for a two-year advisory period upon retirement from the Company in order to assist with Chief Executive Officer transition issues. During this advisory period, he will receive an annual payment equivalent to his most recent base salary as a full-time employee. If Mr. Gilbertson dies prior to or during the advisory period, his heirs will be entitled to the payments he would have received.
 
Tax and Accounting Considerations
 
The accounting and tax treatment of compensation generally has not been a factor in determining the amounts or types of compensation for our executive officers. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) generally disallows a tax deduction to public companies for some forms of compensation over $1 million paid to executive officers unless certain conditions are met. Certain compensation, including qualified performance-based compensation, will not be subject to the deduction limit if certain requirements are met. We intend to use our best efforts to structure future compensation so that executive compensation paid by the Company is fully deductible in accordance with Section 162(m) of the Code. However, the Compensation Committee reserves the right to approve compensation that may prove not to be deductible when it believes such payments are appropriate and in the best interests of our stockholders, after taking into consideration changing business conditions and the performance of our employees.
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Executive Compensation
 
The following table shows cash compensation paid and certain other compensation paid or accrued by the Company for the last two fiscal years to each of the Company's Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and the next three most highly compensated executive officers ("Named Executive Officers") in all capacities in which they served.

Summary Compensation Table
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008

   
Fiscal
 
Salary
 
Bonus
 
Option Awards
 
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
 
All Other Compensation
 
Total
Name & Position
 
Year
 
($) (1)
 
($) (1)
 
($) (4)
 
($) (5)
 
($) (6)
 
($)
John S. Gilbertson (7)
                           
Chief Executive Officer
 
2008
 
 $ 670,000
 
 $ 49,150
(2)
 $ 571,556
 
$   —    
 
 $ 112,308
 
$1,403,014
and President
 
2007
 
640,000
 
1,009,100
(3)
594,364
 
—    
 
112,300
 
2,355,764
             
 
             
Kurt Cummings
           
 
             
Vice President,
 
2008
 
238,500
 
83,250
(2)
68,794
 
—    
 
77,479
 
468,023
Chief Financial Officer,
 
2007
 
221,000
 
278,863
(3)
50,691
 
—    
 
70,000
 
620,554
Treasurer and Secretary
                           
                             
C. Marshall Jackson
                           
Executive Vice President
 
2008
 
325,000
 
75,838
(2)
131,231
 
—    
 
79,502
 
611,571
of Sales and Marketing
 
2007
 
315,000
 
222,162
(3)
151,921
 
—    
 
80,200
 
769,283
             
 
             
Peter Venuto
                           
Vice President of
 
2008
 
250,000
 
88,220
(2)
114,284
 
—    
 
85,834
 
538,338
North American and
 
2007
 
234,000
 
292,905
(3)
114,435
 
—    
 
73,400
 
714,740
European Sales
                           
                             
Peter Collis (8)
                           
Vice President
 
2008
 
273,000
 
60,251
(2)
119,962
 
129,879
 
22,100
 
605,192
of Tantalum
 
2007
 
246,800
 
246,505
(3)
110,684
 
382,914
 
19,400
 
1,006,303

(1)  
Includes amounts earned but deferred by the executive officer at his election, pursuant to the AVX Nonqualified Supplemental Retirement Plan, (the “Supplemental Plan”).

(2)  
The amounts shown include 50% of a bonus award payable with respect to fiscal year 2008 in accordance with a determination by the Company’s Board of Directors to pay discretionary cash awards to each U.S. salaried employee of the Company in an amount equal to 8% of such employee’s 2007 calendar year eligible earnings.  The remaining 50% of this award will be earned and paid in the summer of 2009, provided the officer is employed by the Company at that time.  Amounts shown also include 50% of a discretionary cash award with respect to fiscal year 2007 that was earned and paid in June 2008, based on the officer’s continued employment with the Company at that time.

-18-
Amounts shown for all Named Executive Officers except the Chief Executive Officer also include 25% of an annual cash bonus award earned under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan determined based on the Company’s achievement of performance goals and individual performance with respect to fiscal year 2007 that was earned and paid in April 2008, based on the officers continued employment with the Company at that time.  For information regarding the Management Incentive Plan, see the discussion in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this proxy statement.  The Compensation Committee has not yet determined the bonus awards under the Management Incentive Plan for fiscal year 2008.  The Compensation Committee will determine the Chief Executive Officer’s bonus based on the Company’s achievement relative to the pre-tax profit target for fiscal year 2008, and will determine the other Named Executive Officers’ individual bonus amounts by allocating a bonus pool (based on the recommendations of the Chief Executive Officer and individual performance evaluations) that will be funded as a percentage of combined salaries of the Named Executive Officers based on the Company’s achievement relative to the pre-tax profit target for fiscal year 2008.  These bonus amounts earned with respect to fiscal year 2008 are expected to be determined in July 2008.  The Chief Executive Officer’s bonus will be paid 100% in the summer of 2008 and the other Named Executive Officers’ individual bonuses will be paid 75% in the summer of 2008 and 25% in April of 2009.  In each case the bonus (a portion thereof) is “earned” at the time of payment as the officer must be employed by the Company at that time.

(3)  
The amounts shown include 50% of a bonus award paid with respect to fiscal year 2007 in accordance with a determination by the Company’s Board of Directors to pay discretionary cash awards to each U.S. salaried employee of the Company in an amount equal to 8% of such employee’s 2006 calendar year eligible earnings.  The remaining 50% of this award will be earned and paid in the summer of 2008, provided the officer is employed by the Company at that time.  Amounts shown also include 50% of a discretionary cash award with respect to fiscal year 2006 that was earned and paid in June 2007, based on the officer’s continued employment with the Company at that time.

Amounts shown also includes 100% for the Chief Executive Officer and 75% for the other Named Executive Officers of an annual cash bonus award earned under the Company’s Management Incentive Plan determined based on the Company’s achievement of performance goals and individual performance with respect to fiscal year 2007 that was earned and paid in the summer of 2007.  For information regarding the Management Incentive Plan, see the discussion in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in this proxy statement.

(4)  
Reflects the proportionate amount of the total grant date fair value of option awards recognized by the Company as an expense in each fiscal year for financial statement reporting purposes, disregarding for this purpose the estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions.  All stock options were granted pursuant to the 1995 and 2004 Stock Option Plans. The assumptions made in the valuation of stock options are set forth in Note 11 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.  No options have been forfeited by any of the Named Executive Officers.

(5)  
Reflects the aggregate of the increase in fiscal year 2008 in actuarial present values of Mr. Collis’ accumulated benefits under the AVX Limited Pension Scheme (the “Defined Benefit Plan”.)  The underlying value is denominated in British Pounds.  This amount has been converted to US dollars using an average exchange rate of $2.00 per Pound for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.  See the Pension Benefits table and related narrative disclosure for information regarding the Defined Benefit Plan.

(6) 
Reflects Company's contribution for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 on behalf of the respective Named Executive Officers pursuant to the terms of the Supplemental Plan and the AVX Corporation Retirement Plan (the "Retirement Plan") in the following amounts respectively:  John S. Gilbertson - $49,038 and $29,150; C. Marshall Jackson - $32,271 and $28,461; Peter Venuto - $37,385 and $29,074; Kurt Cummings - $33,895 and $29,134.

The investments in the Supplemental Plan have no above-market or preferential earnings. See the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table and related narrative herein for information related to the Supplemental Plan.

Also reflects the value of automobile allowances and Company contributions to group life, disability, or excess liability insurance programs, respectively, as follows for fiscal 2008:  John S. Gilbertson - $24,000 and $10,120; C. Marshall Jackson - $14,400 and $4,370; Peter Venuto - $10,200 and $2,970; Peter Collis - $19,500 and $2,600; and Kurt Cummings - $12,000 and $2,450. The Company also provides the Named Executive Officers with certain medical benefits generally available to all salaried employees. Mr. Venuto’s other compensation also includes reimbursement of country club dues.

(7) 
Mr. John Gilbertson is a Named Executive Officer who also serves as a director.  Mr. Gilbertson received no compensation for services as a director in fiscal 2008.

(8)  
Mr. Collis’ salary and bonus are paid in British Pounds and have been converted to U.S. Dollars at a rate of $2.00 per Pound.
-19-
The following table sets forth information regarding all options to acquire shares of Common Stock granted to the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 2008.
 
Grants of Plan-Based Awards
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008
 
       
Number of Securities Underlying Options
 
Exercise Price of Option Awards
 
Grant Date Fair Value of Option Awards
Name
 
Grant Date
 
(#) (1)
 
($) (2)
 
($)
                 
John S. Gilbertson
 
5/8/2007
 
              100,000
 
        17.88
 
       599,230
Kurt Cummings
 
5/8/2007
 
                15,000
 
        17.88
 
         89,885
C. Marshall Jackson
 
5/8/2007
 
                25,000
 
        17.88
 
  149,808
Peter Venuto
 
5/8/2007
 
                20,000
 
        17.88
 
   119,846
Peter Collis
 
5/8/2007
 
                20,000
 
     17.88
 
    119,846

(1)  
Reflects the number of options to purchase shares of AVX common stock awarded to each Named Executive Officer during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 under the Company’s 2004 Stock Option Plan.  The options vest as to 25% of the shares one-year from the date of grant and as to 25% of the shares on each of the three succeeding anniversary dates, provided the officer continues to be employed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  There are no performance based conditions that are applicable to these options.

(2)  
The exercise price is based on the average of the high and low market prices on the grant date, as provided in the 2004 Stock Option Plan.

The following table sets forth information regarding unexercised options, both vested and unvested, for each Named Executive Officer outstanding at March 31, 2008.  The Named Executive Officers do not hold any stock awards.
 
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008

Name
Option Grant Date
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
Option Exercise Price ($)
Option Expiration Date
           
John S. Gilbertson
4/1/1999
80,000
$8.00
4/1/2009
 
5/26/2000
50,000
$29.30
5/26/2010
 
1/8/2001
50,000
$17.00
1/8/2011
 
4/22/2002
100,000
$19.46
4/22/2012
 
9/9/2002
126,500
$11.41
9/9/2012
 
6/3/2003
100,000
$11.92
6/3/2013
 
5/14/2004
75,000
25,000
$14.46
5/14/2014
 
5/6/2005
50,000
50,000
$11.30
5/6/2015
 
6/23/2006
25,000
75,000
$15.28
6/23/2016
 
5/8/2007
100,000
$17.88
5/8/2017


-20-
 
Name
Option Grant Date
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable
Option Exercise Price ($)
Option Expiration Date
Kurt Cummings
4/1/1999
20,000
$8.00
4/1/2009
 
5/26/2000
16,000
$29.30
5/26/2010
 
1/8/2001
10,000
$17.00
1/8/2011
 
4/22/2002
10,000
$19.46
4/22/2012
 
9/9/2002
8,500
$11.41
9/9/2012
 
6/3/2003
10,000
$11.92
6/3/2013
 
5/14/2004
7,500
2,500
$14.46
5/14/2014
 
5/6/2005
5,000
5,000
$11.30
5/6/2015
 
6/23/2006
3,750
11,250
$15.28
6/23/2016
 
5/8/2007
15,000
$17.88
5/8/2017
 
C. Marshall Jackson
4/1/1999
40,000
$8.00
4/1/2009
 
5/26/2000
40,000
$29.30
5/26/2010
 
1/8/2001
25,000
$17.00
1/8/2011
 
4/22/2002
25,000
$19.46
4/22/2012
 
9/9/2002
31,250
$11.41
9/9/2012
 
6/3/2003
25,000
$11.92
6/3/2013
 
5/14/2004
18,750
6,250
$14.46
5/14/2014
 
5/6/2005
12,500
12,500
$11.30
5/6/2015
 
6/23/2006
6,250
18,750
$15.28
6/23/2016
 
5/8/2007
25,000
$17.88
5/8/2017
 
Peter Venuto
8/3/1998
4,500
$7.50
8/3/2008
 
4/1/1999
8,000
$8.00
4/1/2009
 
1/8/2001
15,000
$17.00
1/8/2011
 
4/22/2002
15,000
$19.46
4/22/2012
 
9/9/2002
2,850
$11.41
9/9/2012
 
6/3/2003
20,000
$11.92
6/3/2013
 
5/14/2004
15,000
5,000
$14.46
5/14/2014
 
5/6/2005
10,000
10,000
$11.30
5/6/2015
 
6/23/2006
5,000
15,000
$15.28
6/23/2016
 
5/8/2007
20,000
$17.88
5/8/2017

Peter Collis
8/3/1998
7,500
$7.50
8/3/2008
 
4/1/1999
8,000
$8.00
4/1/2009
 
5/26/2000
8,000
$29.30
5/26/2010
 
1/8/2001
15,000
$17.00
1/8/2011
 
4/22/2002
14,000
$19.46
4/22/2012
 
9/9/2002
4,400
$11.41
9/9/2012
 
6/3/2003
20,000
$11.92
6/3/2013
 
5/14/2004
15,000
5,000
$14.46
5/14/2014
 
5/6/2005
10,000
10,000
$11.30
5/6/2015
 
6/23/2006
5,001
14,999
$15.28
6/23/2016
 
5/8/2007
20,000
$17.88
5/8/2017

  All option awards vest 25% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant.
-21-
The following table sets forth information with respect to options exercised and the aggregate dollar value realized upon exercise of the options during fiscal 2008 by the Named Executive Officers.  The value realized on exercise reflects the excess of the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise over the exercise price of the options.
 
Option Exercises
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008
 
 
Option Awards
Name
Shares Acquired on Exercise
Value Realized on Exercise
(#)
($)
John S. Gilbertson
160,000
881,577
C. Marshall Jackson
               75,000
382,771
Peter Venuto
                2,500
               11,550
Peter Collis
                2,000
12,791
Kurt Cummings
               15,000
69,283

All such options were to expire during 2007.
 
The following table sets forth information regarding pension benefits information for a certain Named Executive Officer for fiscal 2008.
 
Pension Benefits
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008
 
Name
 
Number of Years Credited Service
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit
Plan Name
(#)
($) (1)
Peter Collis
AVX Limited Pension Scheme
36 years
 $      1,913,000

(1)  
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit calculation is denominated in British Pounds.  This amount has been converted to US dollars using an exchange rate of $2.00 per Pound at March 31, 2008.

The purpose of the AVX Limited Pension Scheme (the “Defined Benefit Plan”) is to provide a defined benefit pension at age 65 based on an accrual rate of 1/60th of final salary for each year of service.  The Defined Benefit Plan also provides certain benefits upon leaving service, early or late retirement, on death or ill health.  Final salary is the yearly average of pensionable pay over the two years prior to leaving service or retirement.  The normal retirement age is 65, upon which the participant automatically begins receiving his benefit.  The participant may retire early subject to Company consent, or at the Company’s request, in which case the accrued pension would be reduced to reflect early payment.  Alternatively, if the Company initiated the participant’s early retirement and the participant were to retire at the Company’s request, the participant’s accrued pension would be reduced by a factor of 3% for each year that the participant retires early.

The present value of accumulated benefit disclosed in the table above is based on the measurement date of December 31, 2007 and the calculation uses the assumptions disclosed in Note 9 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008.
-22-
The following table and narrative provides information related to the Company’s Supplemental Plan for fiscal 2008.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation
Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2008
 
Name
Executive Contributions in FY 2008
Company Contributions in FY 2008
Aggregate Losses in FY 2008
Aggregate Balance at March 31, 2008
($) (1)
($) (2)
($)
($)
John S. Gilbertson
          343,233  
            49,038  
        (18,649)  
           3,950,646
Kurt Cummings
            32,712  
            33,895  
        (2,506)  
              365,571
C. Marshall Jackson
          127,285  
            32,271  
       (65,634)  
           2,221,505
Peter Venuto
            17,362  
            37,385  
       (11,253)  
              194,773
Peter Collis
—   
—   
—   
—   

(1)  
The amounts in this column are included in the Salary and / or Bonus columns of the Summary Compensation Table.

(2)  
The amounts in this column are included in the All Other Compensation column of the Summary Compensation Table.

Under the Supplemental Plan, the participants select among the various investment options that are also currently available to employees of the Company participating in the Retirement Plan. The value of the participants’ balance fluctuates based on the performance of the investments. The market value of the trust is included as an asset and a liability on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2008 as disclosed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 because the trust’s assets are available to the Company’s general creditors in the event of the Company’s insolvency.

Additional Plan information is detailed as follows:

Deferred Compensation Contribution
The Plan is split into two parts. There is a SERP portion and a Supplemental Retirement portion. The SERP portion allows each participant to defer receipt of all or a portion of annual compensation otherwise payable by the Company to such employee.  The Supplemental Retirement portion allows participants to defer an amount from 1% to 3% of eligible compensation (currently between $225,000, as indexed under the Internal Revenue Code, and $600,000).  Eligible compensation for employee contributions to the Supplemental portion is determined based on total compensation less any amount deferred under the SERP portion of the Plan.

Company Matching Contribution
The Company will match participant contributions equal to 100% of the first 3% of the amount that is deferred in the AVX Stock Fund under the SERP portion of the Plan. The Company will also match participant contributions equal to 100% of the first 3% of the amount deferred that is related to eligible compensation between $225,000 (as indexed under the Internal Revenue Code) and $600,000 in the Supplemental Retirement portion of the Plan.

Non-discretionary Contribution
The Company will make an annual contribution equal to 5% of eligible compensation (as defined above).
-23-
Discretionary Contribution
The Company may make an annual contribution between 0% - 5% of eligible compensation (as defined above).  The contribution amount is subject to approval by the Company’s Board of Directors.

Vesting
Each participant shall be fully vested and have a non-forfeitable interest in his account.

Payment of Benefits
Benefits under the Plan shall be payable to a participant or beneficiary upon the earlier of such participant's separation from service, disability or death in a lump-sum payment or in installments over a period not to exceed 10 years, as selected by the participant.

Potential Payments Upon Termination
 
The Company has an employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Gilbertson.  The Company does not have any employment or severance agreements with the other Named Executive Officers.  The following discussion summarizes the value of payments and benefits that the Named Executive Officers would be entitled to receive assuming that a termination of employment under various circumstances had occurred on March 31, 2008.
 

In the event of a termination of employment due to death, disability or retirement, all outstanding stock options held by the Named Executive Officers would become fully vested.  The value of the stock options that would become vested upon such termination (calculated based on the excess of the fair market value of the underlying shares as of March 31, 2008 over the exercise price of the options) is as follows:  Mr. Gilbertson, $75,500; Mr. Cummings, $7,550; Mr. Jackson, $18,875; Mr. Venuto, $15,100; and Mr. Collis, $15,100.  In the event of a termination of employment for any reason, the Named Executive Officers would be entitled to a payout of their vested balance under the Company’s Supplemental Plan, which amounts are reflected in the Nonqualified Deferred Compensation table.  In the event of the death of a Named Executive Officer while actively employed, the person’s spouse or estate would continue to receive that person’s base salary for the ensuing two years.  In addition, upon his retirement from the Company, Mr. Gilbertson would be entitled to receive an annual payment during a two-year advisory period equal to his most recent base salary as a full-time employee.  Assuming Mr. Gilbertson had retired as of March 31, 2008, the sum of these two payments would have been approximately $1,340,000. 
 
Shareholder Proposals
 
If any shareholder intends to present a proposal to the Company for inclusion in its proxy statement relating to the annual meeting of shareholders expected to be held in July 2009 or wishes to recommend nominees to the Board, such proposal, in writing and addressed to the Corporate Secretary, must be received by the Company no later than February 13, 2009.
 
In general, shareholder proposals intended to be presented at an annual meeting, including proposals for the nomination of directors, must be received by the Company no less than 60 days, but no more than 90 days, in advance of the meeting in order to be considered timely under the By-laws of the Company; provided, however, if less than 70 days prior notice is given for an annual meeting, proposals must be received within ten days following the mailing or public disclosure of such notice.
-24-

Proxy Solicitation
 
The entire cost of this solicitation will be borne by the Company, including reimbursement of banks, brokerage firms, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable expenses in sending proxy materials to the beneficial owners of the Common Stock.  Solicitation will primarily be made by mail, but proxies may be solicited personally by the Company's officers, directors or employees, by telephone or by facsimile.  The costs and expenditures in connection with the solicitation of security holders are only those normally expended for a solicitation for an election of Directors in the absence of a contest.
 
The Company's annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments filed with or furnished to the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act are available free of charge on the Company's website at www.avx.com as soon as reasonably practicable after being filed with the SEC.
 

              By order of the Board,
     AVX Corporation Signature
Kurt Cummings
Corporate Secretary

 
June 10, 2008
 
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