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

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.          )

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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o

Check the appropriate box:

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Preliminary Proxy Statement

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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

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Definitive Proxy Statement

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Definitive Additional Materials

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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

Power-One, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
         
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

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No fee required.

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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
    (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
        
    (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
        
    (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
        
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

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Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

 
 
(1)
 
Amount Previously Paid:
        
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POWER-ONE LOGO

740 Calle Plano
Camarillo, California 93012

Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

To Our Stockholders:


WHAT:
Our Annual Meeting of Stockholders for Fiscal Year Ending December 30, 2007

WHEN:
April 22, 2008 at 8:00 a.m., local time

WHERE:
Courtyard Marriott, 4994 Verdugo Way, Camarillo, California 93012

WHY:
At this meeting, we plan to:

 
1.
 
Elect all directors;

 
2.
 
Amend the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan;

 
3.
 
Ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche as independent auditors of Power-One, Inc. for the 2008 fiscal year; and

 
4.
 
Transact any other business which may properly be presented at the meeting or any adjournment.

        Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 3, 2008 (the "Record Date") will receive notice and be eligible to vote at the meeting.

        All stockholders are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend, please promptly return the enclosed proxy card to ensure that your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting.

        Please refer to the enclosed proxy card for voting directions. Please vote as soon as possible. We have enclosed a postage-prepaid envelope for your convenience for return of the proxy card.

  By Order of the Board of Directors,

 
RANDALL H. HOLLIDAY
  Randall H. Holliday
 Secretary

Camarillo, California
March 14, 2008

GENERAL INFORMATION

        The Board of Directors of Power-One, Inc. seeks your Proxy for use at our Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We will hold the meeting according to our Notice of Annual Meeting, unless we adjourn to a later date and/or time.

        This Proxy Statement and the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting discuss the purposes of the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement, the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting and enclosed proxy card first will be sent to stockholders on or about March 14, 2008.

*  VOTING AND SOLICITATION

        Each share of our common stock has one vote on all matters submitted to our stockholders at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 3, 2008 will receive notice of and may vote at the Annual Meeting. Eligible stockholders may vote by marking, signing, and returning the proxy card.

        There were 87,414,203 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 3, 2008. The closing sale price on that date was $2.59 per share. Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market® under the symbol "PWER."

        We have not hired a firm to assist in the proxy solicitation process but may do so if we determine that such assistance is necessary or advisable. If we retain such a firm, we will pay all fees and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to the retention of any such proxy solicitation firm. We may also reimburse brokerage firms and other persons representing beneficial owners of shares for their reasonable expenses in sending solicitation materials to beneficial owners.

        Voting Matters.    The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock will constitute a quorum for the meeting.

        Our inspector of elections will count all votes cast in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting.

        The nominees for director receiving the most votes will be elected. Stockholders do not have the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. Each proposal described in this Proxy Statement, other than the election of directors, requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our common stock having voting power present, in person or represented by proxy, at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect with respect to the election of directors. With respect to all other proposals submitted to the stockholders, abstentions will be included in the number of votes present and entitled to vote on that proposal and, accordingly, will have the same effect as a negative vote.

        Under NASDAQ rules, if you hold your shares in "street name" through a broker or other nominee, and you do not give your broker or nominee specific instructions on how to vote your shares, your broker or nominee will be permitted to exercise voting discretion with respect to the election of directors and ratification of the appointment of auditors but not with respect to the amendment of the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan. "Broker non-votes" will result when a broker or nominee is not instructed to vote for a proposal for which they do not have voting discretion. Broker non-votes with respect to any proposal submitted to the stockholders will not be counted as shares present and entitled to vote on that proposal and, accordingly, will not have any effect with respect to the approval of the proposal (other than to reduce the number of affirmative votes required to approve the proposal).

        Revoking Your Proxy.    Any Proxy may be revoked at any time before it is actually voted at

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the Annual Meeting. Regardless of the method of voting used, you may revoke your Proxy by:

        Any written notice of revocation, or later Proxy, should be delivered to our principal executive offices at Power-One, Inc., 740 Calle Plano, Camarillo, CA 93012, Attention: Secretary.

*  DEADLINE FOR STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE FISCAL 2008 ANNUAL MEETING

        Any stockholder who intends to present a proposal at our Annual Meeting for fiscal year 2008 must deliver the proposal to us at our principal executive offices not later than November 14, 2008 for inclusion in our Proxy Statement and form of Proxy relating to the meeting.

        Stockholder proposals to be presented at an Annual Meeting of Stockholders but not submitted for inclusion in our Proxy Statement for that meeting must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90, nor more than 120 days prior to the meeting. However, if less than 100 days' notice from the date of the meeting is given to stockholders, then notice by the stockholder of any proposal need only be received within 10 days from the date on which notice of the meeting is given. Stockholder proposals must contain information required by Section 2.10 of our bylaws and comply with applicable legal requirements.

        Our bylaws are available via the "Governance—Introduction" link found under our main "Investors" link at our website located at www.power-one.com. Alternatively, any stockholder may obtain a copy of our bylaws by submitting a request to our Secretary at our principal executive offices.

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PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

        Directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. All of the nominees for director listed below are currently serving as a director.

        Each nominee has indicated his or her willingness to serve if elected, but if any nominee should become unable to serve, we will vote the Proxies we receive for the election of such other person as our directors select. We are not aware of any reason why any of our nominees will be unable or will decline to continue to serve as a director. Background information on each nominee appears below.

Director Nominees

        The following individuals are our director nominees.

Name of Nominee
   Age(1)
   Principal Occupation
   Year First
Elected
   Independence
per Board
Determination
Kendall R. Bishop   69   Retired Attorney   2000   Independent per NASDAQ rules
Gayla J. Delly   48   President, Benchmark Electronics, Inc.   2005   Independent per NASDAQ rules
Steven J. Goldman   50   Previous Chairman of the Board of Power-One, Inc.   1988   Not Independent per NASDAQ rules
Jon E.M. Jacoby   69   Vice Chairman and Sr. Principal of Stephens Group, LLC   1995   Independent per NASDAQ rules
Mark Melliar-Smith   62   Chief Executive Officer, Molecular Imprints, Inc.   2001   Independent per NASDAQ rules
Richard J. Thompson   58   Chief Executive Officer, Power-One, Inc.   2007   Not Independent per NASDAQ rules
Jay Walters   60   Chairman of the Board of Power-One, Inc.   2000   Independent per NASDAQ rules
(1)
As of March 3, 2008

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        Kendall R. Bishop.    Mr. Bishop serves as our Lead Director under Corporate Governance guidelines adopted in 2003. Mr. Bishop retired as a corporate partner of the O'Melveny & Myers LLP law firm in January 2003 after 38 years of service. He received his B.A. from Stanford University and his J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

        Gayla J. Delly.    Ms. Delly is the President of Benchmark Electronics, Inc., a provider of electronics manufacturing services. She served Benchmark as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President from September 2004 to December 2006, as Vice President Finance from November 2000 to September 2004, and as Treasurer and Controller from January 1996 to January 2002. From 1984 to 1995, Ms. Delly was employed by KPMG LLP and was a Senior Audit Manager when she left the firm. Ms. Delly received a B.S. in accounting from Samford University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

        Steven J. Goldman.    Mr. Goldman, who joined us as an employee in 1982, served as our Chairman of the Board from 1990 until June 12, 2007 when he resigned from the office of Chairman of the Board and as an employee of the Company. Mr. Goldman has remained in service as a non-employee member of the Board of Directors. From 1990 until 2000, Mr. Goldman was also our President, and from 1990 until 2006, he was also our Chief Executive Officer. He received his B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut and his M.B.A. from Pepperdine University's executive program.

        Jon E.M. Jacoby.    Mr. Jacoby serves as Vice Chairman and Sr. Principal of Stephens Group, LLC, a private equity firm founded by Witt Stephens and Elizabeth Campbell, taking that position in September 2006. From July to November 2006 Mr. Jacoby served as Executive Vice President of SF Holdings Corp. (formerly known as Stephens Group, Inc.). Mr. Jacoby was in retirement between October 1, 2003 and July 2006. Prior to his retirement, Mr. Jacoby had been employed since 1963 by Stephens Inc. and Stephens Group Inc., firms collectively engaged in investment banking and other business activities. He currently serves as a director of Conn's, Inc. and Eden Bioscience. He received his B.S. from the University of Notre Dame and his M.B.A. from Harvard Business School.

        Mark Melliar-Smith.    Mr. Melliar-Smith is the Chief Executive Officer of Molecular Imprints, Inc., based in Austin, Texas. From March 2003 to September 2005 he was Chief Operating Officer of Molecular Imprints, Inc. From January 2002 to October 2003, Mr. Melliar-Smith was a Venture Partner with Austin Ventures, a venture capital firm focusing on the telecommunications, semiconductor and software businesses. From January 1997 to December 2001, Mr. Melliar-Smith was the President and Chief Executive Officer of International SEMATECH, a research and development consortium for the integrated circuit industry. Mr. Melliar-Smith is a member of the Board of Directors of Technitrol, Inc., Molecular Imprints, Inc. and Metrosol. Mr. Melliar-Smith received his B.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry from Southampton University in England and his M.B.A. from Rockhurst College.

        Richard J. Thompson.    Mr. Thompson joined us as our Chief Executive Officer in February 2008. Before joining us, Mr. Thompson served as a member of the Company's Board of Directors since August 2007. Mr. Thompson will continue to serve on the Board of Directors following his appointment as the Company's Chief Executive Officer, but he resigned as a member of the audit committee of the Board of Directors effective upon his becoming an employee of the Company. Mr. Thompson served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of American Power Conversion Corporation (acquired by Schneider Electric in February 2007) from May 2005 to

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March 2007. Prior to joining American Power Conversion Corporation, Mr. Thompson served as Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer of Artesyn Technologies for fifteen years.

        Jay Walters.    Mr. Walters serves as our Chairman of the Board as of June 12, 2007. From March 2000 to June 2007 Mr. Walters was President of New Horizon Services, LLC, a technology consulting company. Prior to his position with New Horizons, Mr. Walters held a number of executive positions with Lucent Technologies, Inc. retiring from Lucent in 1999. Mr. Walters received his B.S. in nuclear engineering from the University of Wisconsin and his M.B.A. from Louisiana State University.

Vote Required for Election of Directors

        The nominees for directors receiving the most votes will be elected. Stockholders do not have the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. For purposes of this proposal, abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect.

RECOMMENDATION

        The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the election of all nominees listed above. We will vote Proxies received by us in favor of the nominees unless a contrary choice is indicated.

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

*  BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Attendance at Meetings and at Annual Meeting

        Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate number of Board meetings and meetings of committees on which he or she served in 2007.

        It is our policy that all directors make every reasonable effort to attend annual stockholders meetings. Three of our then current directors attended our Annual Stockholders Meeting for Fiscal Year 2006.

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

        Stockholders are welcome to communicate directly with our Board of Directors and to make recommendations for director nominees. Stockholders interested in communicating directly with any or all non-employee directors, may do so by writing to:

Stockholder Nominations

        To make a recommendation for a director nominee, a stockholder's notice must be received by our Secretary at our principal executive offices not less than 90, nor more than 120 days prior to the meeting. However, if less than 100 days' notice from the date of the meeting is given to stockholders, then notice by the stockholder of any recommendation need only be received within 10 days from the date on which notice of the meeting is given. Such stockholder's notice for a director nominee must contain information required by Section 3.13 of our bylaws and comply with applicable legal requirements.

        Our bylaws are available via the "Governance—Introduction" link found under our main "Investors" link at our website located at www.power-one.com. Alternatively, any stockholder may obtain a copy of our bylaws by submitting a request to our Secretary at our principal executive offices.

        All stockholder communications sent to us will be logged in by our Secretary. Communications on matters other than as noted in the following sentences will be promptly forwarded to our Lead Director, currently Mr. Bishop. Recommendations for director nominees will be sent to the Chair of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. If the Lead Director is not the Chair of the Audit Committee, all matters relating to accounting or internal controls will be brought immediately to that Chair's attention. The applicable director who has received the communication will deliver a summary of all stockholder communications to the full Board at its next regularly scheduled meeting. Any director may review the correspondence log and request copies of any such correspondence.

*  DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

        Minimum qualifications for recommendation for a position on our Board of Directors, whether from our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, or from a stockholder, include:

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        Specific skills or qualities that we believe are necessary for one or more of our Directors to possess are listed below. Please note that we do not expect that a single individual possess all listed skills, but rather that the Board as a whole include one or more individual(s) who possess one or more of the listed skills or qualities:

        Ms. Gayla Delly joined the Board of Directors in 2005, at which time the Board determined that Ms. Delly is independent per all applicable NASDAQ and SEC rules and regulations. Ms. Delly was appointed to the Audit Committee at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors held following our Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 3, 2005. The Board has determined that Ms. Delly qualifies as an audit committee financial expert, as defined under SEC rules and regulations. Additionally, the Board has determined that Ms. Delly qualifies as a member of the Audit Committee who meets the NASDAQ listing requirement under Rule 4350(d)(2)(A) as having the requisite past employment experience which provides her with the required financial sophistication.

        Mr. Richard Thompson joined the Board of Directors in 2007, at which time the Board determined that Mr. Thompson was independent per all applicable NASDAQ and SEC rules and regulations. Mr. Thompson was appointed to the Audit Committee at the Board of Directors meeting held on August 1, 2007 following his appointment to the Board of Directors. The Board determined that Mr. Thompson qualified as an audit committee financial expert, as defined under SEC rules and regulations. Additionally, the Board determined that Mr. Thompson qualified as a member of the Audit Committee who met the NASDAQ listing requirement under Rule 4350(d)(2)(A) as having the requisite past employment experience which provided him with the required financial sophistication.

        Effective February 19, 2008, Mr. Thompson was appointed as our Chief Executive Officer, replacing Mr. William T. Yeates who resigned as our Chief Executive Officer effective February 19, 2008. Mr. Thompson retains his position as a member of the Board of Directors. However, in connection with his becoming an employee of the Company and his appointment as our Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Thompson resigned as a member of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors effective February 19, 2008 and he is no longer independent per all applicable NASDAQ rules.

        Separately, effective June 12, 2007, Mr. Steven J. Goldman resigned as our Chairman and as an employee of the Company. Mr. Goldman continues as a non-employee director of the Company.

*  EVALUATION OF NOMINEES

        Nominees (including nominees recommended by stockholders) are identified and evaluated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee through review of

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resume or other summary of experience, personal interviews conducted by members of the Committee, and submission of such supplemental information as may be reasonably requested by the Committee. In connection with the nomination of Richard J. Thompson in 2007, the Nominating and Governance Committee retained a third party service, with the knowledge and consent of Mr. Thompson, to perform appropriate background inquiries and reference checking prior to finalizing the nomination.

*  COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS

        All members of the Audit Committee and of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are non-employee directors whom the Board has determined meet NASDAQ independence requirements.

*  COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

        The Board has determined that each member of the Compensation Committee is independent under the rules of the NASDAQ. The Compensation Committee operates under the Charter adopted by the Board in 2005. A copy is available via the "Governance—Introduction" link found under our main "Investors" link at our website located at www.power-one.com.

        Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee's responsibilities include the following:

        The Compensation Committee is not authorized to delegate its authority with respect to executive and director compensation to any

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other person. Our executive officers, including the Named Executive Officers, do not have any role in formally setting or establishing the form or amount of compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers and our other senior executive officers. However, as noted above, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer do make recommendations to and consult with the Compensation Committee with respect to compensation paid to the other executive officers.

        Pursuant to its charter, the Compensation Committee is authorized to retain independent compensation consultants and other outside experts or advisors as it believes to be necessary or appropriate to carry out its duties. As noted in the "Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis" below, the Compensation Committee retained an independent compensation consultant for selected projects and services during 2007.

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NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION—FISCAL 2007

        The following table presents information regarding the compensation paid for 2007 to members of our Board of Directors who were not employed by us at any time during that year (referred to as our "Non-Employee Directors"). The compensation paid to Mr. William T. Yeates, who served as a director and as our Chief Executive Officer until his resignation on February 19, 2008, is presented below in the Summary Compensation Table and the related explanatory tables, as well as the compensation paid to Mr. Goldman, who was employed by us for a portion of fiscal 2007. Employee directors are generally not entitled to receive additional compensation for their services as directors.

 
Name
(a)
   Fees
Earned
Or
Paid in
Cash
($)
(b)
   Stock
Awards
($)
(1)(2)(3)
(c)
   Option
Awards
($)
(3)
(d)
   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation ($)
(e)
   Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
(f)
   All Other
Compensation
($)
(g)
   Total
($)
(h)

Kendall R. Bishop   $ 47,750   $ 21,000   —   —   —   —   $ 68,750
Gayla J. Delly   $ 59,000   $ 21,000   —   —   —   —   $ 80,000
Jon E.M. Jacoby   $ 32,000   $ 21,000   —   —   —   —   $ 53,000
Mark Melliar-Smith   $ 49,000   $ 21,000   —   —   —   —   $ 70,000
Richard J. Thompson(4)   $ 30,000   $ 19,800   —   —   —   $8,330(5)   $ 58,130
Jay Walters   $ 49,000   $ 21,000   —   —   —   —   $ 70,000
(1)
The amounts reported in Column (c) of the table above reflect the aggregate dollar amounts recognized for stock awards for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to 2007 (disregarding any estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions). No stock awards granted to Non-Employee Directors were forfeited during 2007. For a discussion of the assumptions and methodologies used to calculate the amounts referred to above, please see the discussion of stock awards and option awards contained in Note 14 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, included as part of the Company's 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders filed on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference.

(2)
With the exception of Mr. Thompson, each of our Non-Employee Directors was granted an award of 4,000 restricted stock units on April 24, 2007. Based on the closing price of our common stock on that date, the grant date fair value of the grant for each director was $17,400. In connection with his appointment to the Board of Directors, Mr. Thompson was granted an award on August 1, 2007 of 12,000 restricted stock units. Based on the closing price of our common stock on that date, the grant date fair value of the grant for Mr. Thompson was $47,520.

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(3)
The following table presents the number of outstanding and unexercised option awards and the number of unvested stock awards held by each of our Non-Employee Directors as of December 30, 2007.

 
Director
   Number of Shares
Subject to Outstanding
Options as of 12/30/07
   Number of Unvested
Shares of Restricted
Stock as of 12/30/07

Kendall R. Bishop   145,000   4,000
Gayla J. Delly   30,000   4,000
Jon E.M. Jacoby   170,000   4,000
Mark Melliar-Smith   62,500   4,000
Richard J. Thompson   0   12,000
Jay Walters   152,500   4,000
(4)
Mr. Thompson was appointed to our Board of Directors effective August 1, 2007. Effective February 19, 2008, Mr. Thompson became our Chief Executive Officer.

(5)
Paid to Mr. Thompson for special consulting services relating to review of certain operational and accounting processes provided at the request of the Board of Directors to management prior to his appointment to the Board of Directors.

Non-Employee Director Compensation

        We pay each Non-Employee Director as follows:

        Only one daily meeting fee is paid on days when multiple meetings of separate Committees, or Committee(s) and Board are held on the same day.

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        We also reimburse our Non-Employee Directors for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending board and committee meetings.

        For the purposes of determining service on committees of our Board of Directors and payment for such service, we correlate the period of service with our schedule for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Committee membership is reviewed and appointments are made as of the meeting of the Board of Directors that occurs in concert with our Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Compensation for members of the Board of Directors, both for annual retainer and for any supplemental annual retainer related to chairing a given committee, is paid for the service period from the then most recently completed Annual Meeting of Stockholders until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Non-Employee Director Equity Awards

        Under our current compensation policy for Non-Employee Directors, we grant restricted stock unit awards to new Non-Employee Directors who join our Board, as well as to existing Non-Employee Directors based on continued service. A newly elected Non-Employee Director will receive a restricted stock unit award of 12,000 stock units on the date of his/her election to the Board. The new Non-Employee Director award vests in equal portions of 331/3% in each of the following three years on the earlier of (i) the anniversary of the date of grant in that year, or (ii) the annual meeting date in that year.

        For existing Non-Employee Directors, at each Annual Meeting, each of our then-current Non-Employee Directors will receive an annual restricted stock unit award of 4,000 stock units. A Non-Employee Director must have served for not less than 180 days prior to the first day of the month in which the Annual Meeting occurs to be considered a current Non-Employee Director. This provision avoids the situation where a newly elected Non-Employee Director might otherwise receive his or her initial award, followed closely thereafter by an annual award if election had occurred within the preceding 180 day window. The annual awards vest in full on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of grant, or (ii) the next Annual Meeting date following the date of grant.

        The stock units granted to our Non-Employee Directors are paid in shares of our common stock upon vesting. Stock units have no dividend or voting rights until shares of common stock are issued and held of record by the Non-Employee Director.

        Pursuant to this grant program, we granted each Non-Employee Director then serving on the Board a restricted stock unit award of 4,000 restricted stock units on April 24, 2007. In addition, we granted Mr. Thompson an award of 12,000 restricted stock units on his joining the Board effective August 1, 2007.

Other Compensation, Plans or Benefits

        We do not provide our Non-Employee Directors with any other compensation, benefits, compensation deferral arrangements, perquisites, severance, change in control, or other consideration for service to the Company as a director.

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PROPOSAL 2
APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS TO THE POWER-ONE, INC. 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

        At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to approve the following amendments to the Power-One, Inc. 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2004 Plan"), which were adopted, subject to stockholder approval, by the Board of Directors on February 22, 2008:

        Stockholders are not being asked to approve any increase in the number of shares of the Company's common stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted under the 2004 Plan. The 2004 Plan's existing aggregate share limit of 4,750,000 shares will be retained, as will the 2004 Plan's existing limit of 2,500,000 shares on so-called "full-value awards" as described below. As of March 3, 2008, approximately 3,193,750 shares were available for future award grants under the 2004 Plan.

        We believe that incentives and stock-based awards focus employees on the objective of creating stockholder value and promoting the success of the Company and that incentive compensation plans like the 2004 Plan are an important attraction, retention and motivation tool for participants in the plan. Our board of directors believes that the proposed amendments would give us greater flexibility to structure future incentives and better attract, retain and reward key employees.

        If stockholders do not approve this 2004 Plan proposal, the existing share limits on individual awards under the 2004 Plan will continue in effect, and the Performance-Based Award feature will not be extended.

        The principal terms of the 2004 Plan are summarized below. The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2004 Plan, which is an appendix to the copy of this Proxy Statement that was filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission and can be reviewed on the Securities and Exchange Commission's Web site at http://www.sec.gov. A copy of the 2004 Plan may also be obtained by contacting Randall H. Holliday, the Company's Secretary and General Counsel, at 740 Calle Plano, Camarillo, CA 93012, (telephone number 805-987-8741).

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        Purpose.    The purpose of the 2004 Plan is to promote the success of the Company and the interests of our stockholders by providing an additional means for us to attract, motivate, retain and reward directors, officers, employees and other eligible persons through the grant of awards and incentives for high levels of individual performance and improved financial performance of the company. Equity-based awards are also intended to further align the interests of award recipients and our stockholders.

        Administration.    Our Board of Directors or one or more committees appointed by our Board of Directors administers the 2004 Plan. Our Board of Directors has delegated general administrative authority for the 2004 Plan to the Compensation Committee. A committee may delegate some or all of its authority with respect to the 2004 Plan to another committee of directors and certain limited award grant authority to grant awards to employees may be delegated to one or more officers of the company. (The appropriate acting body, be it the Board of Directors, a committee within its delegated authority, or an officer within his or her delegated authority, is referred to in this proposal as the "Administrator").

        The Administrator has broad authority under the 2004 Plan with respect to award grants including, without limitation, the authority:

        No Repricing.    In no case (except due to an adjustment to reflect a stock split or similar event or any repricing that may be approved by stockholders) will any adjustment be made to a stock option or stock appreciation right award under the 2004 Plan (by amendment, cancellation and regrant, exchange or other means) that would constitute a repricing of the per share exercise or base price of the award.

        Eligibility.    Persons eligible to receive awards under the 2004 Plan include officers or employees of the Company or any of our subsidiaries, directors of the Company, and certain consultants and advisors to the Company or any of our subsidiaries. Currently, approximately 1,010 officers and employees of the Company and our subsidiaries (including all of our named executive officers), and each of our six non-employee directors, are considered eligible under the 2004 Plan.

        Authorized Shares; Limits on Awards.    The maximum number of shares of the Company's common stock that may be issued or transferred

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pursuant to awards under the 2004 Plan is 4,750,000 shares. The following other limits are also contained in the 2004 Plan:

        To the extent that an award is settled in cash or a form other than shares, the shares that would have been delivered had there been no such cash or other settlement will not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the 2004 Plan. In the event that shares are delivered in respect of a dividend equivalent right, only the actual number of shares delivered with respect to the award shall be counted against the share limits of the 2004 Plan. To the extent that shares are delivered pursuant to the exercise of a stock appreciation right or stock option, the number of underlying shares as to which the exercise related shall be counted against the applicable share limits, as opposed to only counting the shares actually issued. (For purposes of clarity, if a stock appreciation right relates to 100,000 shares and is exercised at a time when the payment due to the participant is 15,000 shares, 100,000 shares shall be charged against the applicable share limits with respect to such exercise.) Shares that are subject to or underlie awards which expire or for any reason are cancelled or terminated, are forfeited, fail to vest, or for any other reason are not paid or delivered under the 2004 Plan will again be available for subsequent awards under the 2004 Plan. Shares that are exchanged by a participant or withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price of an award granted under the 2004 Plan, as well as any shares exchanged or withheld to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any award, will not be available for subsequent awards under the 2004 Plan. In addition, the 2004 Plan generally provides that shares issued in connection with awards that are granted by or become obligations of the Company through the assumption of awards (or in substitution for awards) in connection with an acquisition of another company will not count against the shares available for issuance under the 2004 Plan. The Company may not increase the

16


applicable share limits of the 2004 Plan by repurchasing shares of common stock on the market (by using cash received through the exercise of stock options or otherwise).

        Types of Awards.    The 2004 Plan authorizes stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock bonuses and other forms of awards granted or denominated in the Company's common stock or units of the Company's common stock, as well as cash bonus awards pursuant to Section 5.2 of the 2004 Plan. The 2004 Plan retains flexibility to offer competitive incentives and to tailor benefits to specific needs and circumstances. Any award may be paid or settled in cash.

        A stock option is the right to purchase shares of the Company's common stock at a future date at a specified price per share (the "exercise price"). The per share exercise price of an option generally may not be less than the fair market value of a share of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. The maximum term of an option is ten years from the date of grant. An option may either be an incentive stock option or a nonqualified stock option. Incentive stock option benefits are taxed differently from nonqualified stock options, as described under "Federal Income Tax Consequences of Awards Under the 2004 Plan" below. Incentive stock options are also subject to more restrictive terms and are limited in amount by the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the 2004 Plan. Incentive stock options may only be granted to employees of the Company or a subsidiary.

        A stock appreciation right is the right to receive payment of an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of a share of the Company's common stock on the date of exercise of the stock appreciation right over the base price of the stock appreciation right. The base price will be established by the Administrator at the time of grant of the stock appreciation right and generally cannot be less than the fair market value of a share of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Stock appreciation rights may be granted in connection with other awards or independently. The maximum term of a stock appreciation right is ten years from the date of grant.

        The per share exercise price of an option or the per share base price of a stock appreciation right may, however, be less than the fair market value of a share of the Company's common stock on the date of grant in the case of (1) awards granted retroactively in tandem with or as a substitution for another award, or (2) if the option or stock appreciation right will be counted against the plan's limit on full-value awards (that is, the limit on the number of shares that can be issued under the 2004 Plan in respect of awards other than options and stock appreciation rights).

        The other types of awards that may be granted under the 2004 Plan include, without limitation, stock bonuses, restricted stock, performance stock, stock units, dividend equivalents, or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares, and cash awards granted consistent with Section 5.2 of the 2004 Plan as described below.

        Performance-Based Awards.    The Administrator may grant awards that are intended to be performance- based awards within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code ("Performance-Based Awards"). Performance-Based Awards are in addition to any of the other types of awards that may be granted under the 2004 Plan (including options and stock appreciation rights which may also qualify as performance-based awards for Section 162(m) purposes). Performance-Based Awards may be in the form of restricted stock, performance stock, stock units, other rights, or cash bonus opportunities.

        The vesting or payment of Performance-Based Awards (other than options or stock appreciation rights) will depend on the absolute or relative performance of Power-One, Inc. on a consolidated, subsidiary, segment, division, or

17


business unit basis. The Administrator will establish the criterion or criteria and target(s) on which performance will be measured. The Administrator must establish criteria and targets in advance of applicable deadlines under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and while the attainment of the performance targets remains substantially uncertain.

        The criteria that the Administrator may use for this purpose will include one or more of the following: earnings per share, cash flow (which means cash and cash equivalents derived from either net cash flow from operations or net cash flow from operations, financing and investing activities), total stockholder return, gross revenue, revenue growth, operating income (before or after taxes), net earnings (before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), return on equity or on assets or on net investment, cost containment or reduction, or any combination thereof. These terms are used as applied under generally accepted accounting principles or in the financial reporting of Power-One, Inc. or our subsidiaries. The performance measurement period with respect to an award may range from three months to ten years. Performance targets will be adjusted to mitigate the unbudgeted impact of material, unusual or nonrecurring gains and losses, accounting changes or other extraordinary events not foreseen at the time the targets were set unless the Administrator provides otherwise at the time of establishing the targets.

        Performance-Based Awards may be paid in stock or in cash (in either case, subject to the limits described under the heading "Authorized Shares; Limits on Awards" above). Before any Performance-Based Award (other than an option or stock appreciation right) is paid, the Administrator must certify that the performance target or targets have been satisfied. The Administrator has discretion to determine the performance target or targets and any other restrictions or other limitations of Performance-Based Awards and may reserve discretion to reduce payments below maximum award limits.

        Deferrals.    The Administrator may provide for the deferred payment of awards, and may determine the other terms applicable to deferrals. The Administrator may provide that deferred settlements include the payment or crediting of interest or other earnings on the deferred amounts, or the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents where the deferred amounts are denominated in shares.

        Acceleration of Awards; Possible Early Termination of Awards.    Generally, and subject to limited exceptions set forth in the 2004 Plan, if any person acquires more than 20% of the outstanding common stock or combined voting power of the Company, if certain changes in a majority of our Board of Directors occur over a period of not longer than two years, if stockholders prior to a transaction do not continue to own more than 50% of the voting securities of the Company (or a successor or a parent) following a reorganization, merger, statutory share exchange or consolidation or similar corporate transaction involving the Company or any of our subsidiaries, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company's assets or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by us or any of our subsidiaries, or if the Company is dissolved or liquidated, then awards then-outstanding under the 2004 Plan may become fully vested or paid, as applicable, and may terminate or be terminated in such circumstances. The Administrator also has the discretion to establish other change in control provisions with respect to awards granted under the 2004 Plan. For example, the Administrator could provide for the acceleration of vesting or payment of an award in connection with a change in control event that is not described above and provide that any such acceleration shall be automatic upon the occurrence of any such event.

        Transfer Restrictions.    Subject to certain exceptions contained in Section 5.7 of the 2004 Plan, awards under the 2004 Plan are not transferable by the recipient other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and are

18


generally exercisable, during the recipient's lifetime, only by the recipient. Any amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to an award will be paid only to the recipient or the recipient's beneficiary or representative.

        Adjustments.    As is customary in incentive plans of this nature, each share limit and the number and kind of shares available under the 2004 Plan and any outstanding awards, as well as the exercise or purchase prices of awards, and performance targets under certain types of performance-based awards, are subject to adjustment in the event of certain reorganizations, mergers, combinations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends, or other similar events that change the number or kind of shares outstanding, and extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the stockholders.

        No Limit on Other Authority.    The 2004 Plan does not limit the authority of the Board of Directors or any committee to grant awards or authorize any other compensation, with or without reference to our common stock, under any other plan or authority.

        Termination of or Changes to the 2004 Plan.    The Board of Directors may amend or terminate the 2004 Plan at any time and in any manner. Stockholder approval for an amendment will be required only to the extent then required by applicable law or any applicable listing agency or required under Sections 162, 422 or 424 of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code to preserve the intended tax consequences of the plan. For example, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment that proposes to increase the maximum number of shares that may be delivered with respect to awards granted under the 2004 Plan. (Adjustments as a result of stock splits or similar events will not, however, be considered an amendment requiring stockholder approval.) Unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors, the authority to grant new awards under the 2004 Plan will terminate on January 26, 2014. Outstanding awards, as well as the Administrator's authority with respect thereto, generally will continue following the expiration or termination of the plan. Generally speaking, outstanding awards may be amended by the Administrator (except for a repricing), but the consent of the award holder is required if the amendment (or any plan amendment) materially and adversely affects the holder.

Federal Income Tax Consequences of Awards under the 2004 Plan

        The U.S. federal income tax consequences of the 2004 Plan under current federal law, which is subject to change, are summarized in the following discussion of the general tax principles applicable to the 2004 Plan. This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and, among other considerations, does not describe state, local, or international tax consequences.

        With respect to nonqualified stock options, the Company is generally entitled to deduct and the participant recognizes taxable income in an amount equal to the difference between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise. With respect to incentive stock options, the Company is generally not entitled to a deduction nor does the participant recognize income at the time of exercise, although the participant may be subject to the U.S. federal alternative minimum tax.

        The current federal income tax consequences of other awards authorized under the 2004 Plan generally follow certain basic patterns: stock appreciation rights are taxed and deductible in substantially the same manner as nonqualified stock options; nontransferable restricted stock subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture results in income recognition equal to the excess of the fair market value over the price paid (if any) only at the time the restrictions lapse (unless the recipient elects to accelerate recognition as of the date of grant); bonuses, cash and stock-based performance awards, dividend equivalents, stock units, and other types of awards are generally subject to tax at the time

19


of payment; and compensation otherwise effectively deferred is taxed when paid. In each of the foregoing cases, the Company will generally have a corresponding deduction at the time the participant recognizes income.

        If an award is accelerated under the 2004 Plan in connection with a "change in control" (as this term is used under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code), the Company may not be permitted to deduct the portion of the compensation attributable to the acceleration ("parachute payments") if it exceeds certain threshold limits under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (and certain related excise taxes may be triggered). Furthermore, the aggregate compensation in excess of $1,000,000 attributable to awards that are not "performance-based" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code may not be permitted to be deducted by the Company in certain circumstances.

Specific Benefits under the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan

        As noted above, Richard J. Thompson was appointed to serve as the Company's Chief Executive Officer effective February 19, 2008. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Thompson was granted (i) an option to purchase 500,000 shares of the Company's common stock, (ii) an award of stock appreciation rights ("SARs") covering 250,000 shares of the Company's common stock, and (iii) an award of restricted stock units ("RSUs") covering 450,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The option was granted under the 2004 Plan. The SARs and RSUs were not granted under the 2004 Plan and are payable, subject to the vesting and other terms and conditions of each award, in cash. However, if stockholders approve this 2004 Plan proposal, the Company will have the right to settle the SARs and RSUs in shares of the Company's common stock as though these awards had been granted under the 2004 Plan.

        Except with respect to the Company's right to settle the SAR and RSU grants described above in stock as opposed to cash, the Company has not approved any other awards that are conditioned upon stockholder approval of this 2004 Plan proposal. The Company is not currently considering any other specific award grants that are conditioned upon stockholder approval of this 2004 Plan proposal. If the amendments to the 2004 Plan described above had been in existence in fiscal 2007, the Company expects that its award grants for fiscal 2007 would not have been substantially different from those actually made in that year under the 2004 Plan. For information regarding stock-based awards granted to the Company's named executive officers during fiscal 2007, see the material under the heading "Executive Compensation" below.

        Stockholders are not being asked to approve any increase in the number of shares of the Company's common stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted under the 2004 Plan. The 2004 Plan's existing aggregate share limit of 4,750,000 shares will be retained, as will the 2004 Plan's existing limit of 2,500,000 shares on so-called "full-value awards" as described below. As of March 3, 2008, approximately 3,193,750 shares were available for future award grants under the 2004 Plan.

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AGGREGATE PAST GRANTS UNDER THE 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

        As of March 3, 2008, awards covering 1,556,250 shares of our common stock had been granted under the 2004 Plan. The following table shows information regarding the distribution of those awards among the persons and groups identified below, option exercises and restricted stock vesting prior to and option and unvested restricted stock holdings as of that date.

 
 
   STOCK OPTIONS
   RESTRICTED STOCK/UNITS
 
  

Name and Position
   Number of
Shares
Subject to
Past Option
Grants
   Number of
Shares
Acquired
On
Exercise
   Number of Shares
Underlying Options as of
March 3, 2008
  
Exercisable
Unexercisable
   Number of
Shares/Units
Subject to Past
Restricted
Stock
Grants(1)
   Number of
Shares/Units
Vested as of
March 3, 2008
   Number of
Shares/Units
Outstanding
and Unvested
as of March 3,
2008

Executive Group:                            
Richard J. Thompson
Chief Executive Officer		   500,000   —   —   500,000   12,000   —   12,000
William T. Yeates
Chief Executive Officer		   —   —   —   —   —   —   —
Jeffrey J. Kyle
VP Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer		   —   —   —   —   160,000   —   160,000
Paul E. Ross
VP Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer		   —   —   —   —   —   —   —
Brad W. Godfrey
President and Chief Operating Officer		   —   —   —   —   175,000   —   175,000
Randall H. Holliday
Secretary and General Counsel		   —   —   —   —   10,000   —   10,000
Alexander Levran
Chief Technology Officer		   —   —   —   —   50,000   12,500   37,500
Total for Executive Group (7 persons):   500,000   —   —   500,000   407,000   12,500   394,500
Non-Executive Director Group:                            
Kendall R. Bishop   15,000   —   15,000   —   8,000   4,000   4,000
Gayla J. Delly   30,000   —   20,000   10,000   8,000   4,000   4,000
Steven J. Goldman   —   —   —   —   —   —   —
Jon E.M. Jacoby   10,000   —   10,000   —   8,000   4,000   4,000
Mark Melliar-Smith   10,000   —   10,000   —   8,000   4,000   4,000
Jay Walters   10,000   —   10,000   —   8,000   4,000   4,000
Total for Non-Executive Director Group:   75,000   —   65,000   10,000   40,000   20,000   20,000
Each other person who has received 5% or more of the options, warrants or rights under the 2004 Plan   —   —   —   —   —   —   —
All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers or directors, as a group   10,000   10,000   —   —   524,250   64,500   459,750
Total   585,000   10,000   65,000   510,000   971,250   97,000   874,250
(1)
Not included in the Past Restricted Stock Grants are 225,000 restricted stock units granted to Mr. Yeates which were subsequently cancelled in connection with his resignation as the Company's Chief Executive Officer.

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        Each of the non-executive directors identified above is a nominee for re-election as a director at the 2008 Annual Meeting.

        The closing market price for a share of the Company's common stock as of March 3, 2008 was $2.59 per share.


EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

        The Company currently maintains four equity compensation plans: the Power-One, Inc. Amended and Restated 1996 Stock Incentive Plan (the "1996 Plan"), the Power-One, Inc. 2001 Stock Option Plan (the "2001 Plan"), the 2004 Plan and the Power-One, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the "ESPP"). With the exception of the 2001 Plan, each of these plans has been approved by the Company's stockholders.

        The following table sets forth, for each of the Company's equity compensation plans, the number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding options and other rights, the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, and the number of shares remaining available for future award grants as of December 30, 2007.

 
  
Plan category
   Number of shares of
Common Stock to be
issued upon exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights
   Weighted-average exercise
price of outstanding
options, warrants and
rights
   Number of shares
of Common Stock
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding shares reflected
in the first column)
  

 
Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders   8,584,377 (1) $ 10.37 (2) 11,961,659 (3)
 
Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders   667,570 (4) $ 6.34   —  
 
Total   9,251,947   $ 10.01   11,961,659  
 
(1)
Of these shares, 75,000 were subject to options then outstanding under the 2004 Plan, 1,086,750 were subject to outstanding stock unit awards granted under the 2004 Plan, and 7,422,627 were subject to outstanding awards granted under the 1996 Plan. No new awards may be granted under the 1996 Plan.

(2)
This number does not reflect the 1,086,750 shares that were subject to outstanding stock unit awards granted under the 2004 Plan and 680,000 shares that were subject to outstanding stock unit awards granted under the 1996 Plan.

(3)
This number is presented after giving effect to purchases under the ESPP for the purchase period that ended December 30, 2007. Of the aggregate number of shares that remained available for future issuance, 3,498,750 shares were available under the 2004 Plan, and 8,462,909 shares were available under the ESPP. Subject to certain express limits of the 2004 Plan, shares available for award purposes under the 2004 Plan generally may be used for any type of award authorized under that plan including options, stock appreciation rights, and other forms of awards granted or denominated in shares of our common stock or units of our common stock including, without limitation, stock bonuses, restricted stock, and performance shares.

(4)
All of these shares were subject to awards granted under the 2001 Plan. The 2001 Plan was adopted in September 2001, per applicable regulations and exchange listing rules, as an equity

22

Vote Required for Approval of the Amendments to the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan

        The Board of Directors believes that the proposed amendments to the 2004 Plan will promote the interests of the Company and our stockholders and will help us and our subsidiaries continue to be able to attract, retain and reward persons important to our success.

        All members of our Board of Directors are eligible for awards under the 2004 Plan and thus have a personal interest in the approval of the 2004 Plan.

        The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our common stock having voting power present, in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required for approval of the proposed amendments to the 2004 Plan. For purposes of this proposal, abstentions will have the same effect as a negative vote and broker non-votes will not have any effect (other than to reduce the number of affirmative votes required to approve the proposal).

RECOMMENDATION

        The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the amendments to the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan as described above. We will vote Proxies received by us in favor of the amendments to the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan unless a contrary choice is indicated.

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PROPOSAL 3
RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS—PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES
AND SERVICES

        The Audit Committee has appointed Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, and their respective affiliates (collectively, "Deloitte & Touche"), independent auditors, to audit our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year 2008. As a matter of good corporate governance, the Audit Committee has determined to present the appointment of Deloitte & Touche to the stockholders for ratification at the meeting. If the stockholders fail to ratify the selection, the Audit Committee will consider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the stockholders ratify the selection, the Audit Committee, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent firm at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

        Deloitte & Touche has audited our consolidated financial statements since 1993. Representatives of Deloitte & Touche are expected to be present at the meeting. They will have the opportunity to address the audience at the meeting and will be available to answer appropriate questions from stockholders.

Vote Required for Ratification of Independent Auditors

        The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our common stock having voting power present, in person or represented by proxy at the Annual Meeting is required for ratification of the appointment of Deloitte & Touche. For purposes of this proposal, abstentions will have the same effect as a negative vote and broker non-votes will not have any effect (other than to reduce the number of affirmative votes required to approve the proposal).

RECOMMENDATION

        The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of Deloitte & Touche as Power-One, Inc.'s independent auditors for 2008. We will vote Proxies received by us in favor of the ratification of Deloitte & Touche unless a contrary choice is indicated.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

Audit Committee

        The Audit Committee is currently composed of three non-employee directors who the Board believes all meet the current NASDAQ and SEC independence requirements. The Committee operates under a written charter most recently amended and restated by the Board of Directors in 2003.

        The Board also believes that all Audit Committee members possess experience or have backgrounds which make each qualified to serve on the Committee. The Board believes and the Committee has determined that all members are able to read and understand fundamental financial statements, including the Company's balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. The Board's determination is based on each Committee member's experience, background, training, past employment in a position of substantial authority, responsibility for financial statements oversight, or other experience and involvement in the review and evaluation of financial statements.

        Additionally, the Committee, in concert with the Board of Directors, has determined that Committee member, Ms. Gayla Delly, qualifies as a member of the Audit Committee who meets the NASDAQ listing requirement under Rule 4350(d)(2)(A) as having the requisite past employment experience which provides her with the required financial sophistication. The determination of Ms. Delly's qualifications under the applicable NASDAQ Rule is based upon Ms. Delly's relevant education, her current and past employment experience in finance and accounting, her professional certification as a Certified Public Accountant, her current position as President and former position as Chief Financial Officer of Benchmark Electronics, Inc. Ms. Delly has also been determined by the Board as qualified for classification as an audit committee financial expert, as defined under SEC requirements and is so designated.

        Any person desiring to submit any complaint to the Company regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters should address such complaint to:

        All such correspondence will be logged in by our Secretary and promptly forwarded to the Chairman of the Audit Committee. The Chairman will provide a summary of all communications to the Audit Committee, and will direct and oversee such additional actions or inquiries as the Chairman deems appropriate in light of a given complaint.

Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

        The Audit Committee has adopted a policy and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent public accountants, Deloitte & Touche. The policy generally permits pre-approval annually of certain specific services in the defined categories of audit services, audit-related services, and tax services up to specified annual budget amounts, and sets requirements for specific case-by-case pre-approval of discrete projects, such as those which may have a material effect on our operations or services over certain amounts. Pre-approval may be given as part of the Audit Committee's approval of the scope of the engagement of our independent auditor or on an individual basis. The pre-approval of services may be delegated to one or more of the Audit Committee's members, but the decision must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. The policy prohibits retention of the independent public accountants to perform the prohibited non-audit functions defined in Section 201 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or the rules of the SEC and also considers whether proposed services are compatible with the independence of the public accountants.

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Fees Paid to Independent Public Accountants

        SEC rules require that our Audit Committee pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent auditors, with certain limited exceptions. Our Audit Committee has concluded that the audit-related and tax services provided to us by Deloitte & Touche are compatible with maintaining auditor independence. During 2006 and 2007, the Company retained Deloitte & Touche to provide services only in the following categories and amounts:

SERVICES

   2007
   2006
 
   (in thousands)
1. Audit Fees(1)   $ 2,485   $ 2,029
2. Audit Related Fees(2)   $ 0   $ 221
3. Tax Fees(3)   $ 303   $ 668
4. All Other Fees(4)   $ 0   $ 0
   
 
Total   $ 2,788   $ 2,918

        The Audit Committee approved all of the fees noted in Items 2 and 3 above pursuant to its pre-approval policies and procedures.

(1)
Audit fees consisted of fees in connection with the audits of the Company's annual financial statements (inclusive of internal controls review and attestation), statutory audits, and reviews of the Company's quarterly financial statements and consents related to SEC filings.

(2)
Audit related fees, when incurred, consisted primarily of fees for costs of due diligence associated with merger and acquisition or disposal transactions, and financial accounting and reporting consultations.

(3)
Tax fees consisted of a) tax compliance fees in connection with federal, state and local income tax return assistance, assistance with tax return filings in certain foreign jurisdictions, requests for technical advice from taxing authorities, assistance with tax audits and appeals and preparation of expatriate tax returns, and b) tax planning and advice fees in connection with tax advice related to structuring certain proposed acquisitions and disposals and tax advice related to intra-group restructuring items.

(4)
Other fees would consist of fees for services of our independent auditors not otherwise captured in the audit, audit related, or tax categories. We did not incur any such fees in 2006 or 2007.

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT*

        The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is responsible for monitoring the integrity of Power-One, Inc.'s consolidated financial statements, its system of internal controls and the independence and performance of its independent auditors. Subject to stockholder ratification, the Committee also recommends the selection of the Company's independent auditors.

*
SEC filings sometimes "incorporate information by reference." This means the Company is referring you to information that has previously been filed with the SEC, and that this information should be considered as part of the filing you are reading. Unless the Company specifically states otherwise, this report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference and shall not constitute soliciting material or otherwise be considered filed under the Securities Act of 1933 ("the Securities Act") or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

        Management is responsible for the Company's financial reporting process, including its system of internal controls, and for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The independent auditors are responsible for auditing such financial statements. The responsibility of the Audit Committee is to monitor and review these processes. We are not, however, professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or auditing. We rely on the information provided to us and on the representations made by management and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee will retain independent experts to advise and consult directly with the Audit Committee if the Audit Committee desires an independent opinion or review of any information provided or any representations made by management and the independent auditors.

        During fiscal 2007 the Audit Committee performed ongoing review of management's attention to and focus upon internal controls of the Company. Management's attention to these matters involved substantial internal audit activity by employees of the Company, site visits with focused internal audit checklists, detailed assessment of specific processes, action items, remediation efforts, and related activity to ensure that internal controls operated properly. The progress, findings, and results of follow-up from these internal auditing activities were reported to the Committee as a recurring matter in its regular meetings.

        The Committee held five meetings during fiscal 2007. The Committee approved the fees to be paid to the independent auditors for their audit of our consolidated financial statements for our 2007 fiscal year. The Committee discussed with the independent auditors the overall scope and plans for their audit. The Committee met with the independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations and their evaluations of the Company's system of internal controls.

        In carrying out our responsibilities, we reviewed and discussed with management and the Company's auditors all financial statements prior to their issuance. We were advised by management and the auditors that all of the financial statements were prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. As part of our review, we discussed with management the quality and acceptability of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments and the clarity of the disclosures in the financial statements. We also sought the Company's independent auditors' judgment on these matters.

        We discussed with the independent auditors matters required to be discussed under generally accepted auditing standards, including, among other things, matters related to the conduct of the audit of the consolidated financial statements and the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (Communication with Audit Committees).

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        The independent auditors also provided to us the written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and we discussed with the independent auditors their independence from Power-One, Inc. We considered whether the auditors' provision of services to the Company beyond those rendered in connection with their audit and review of the consolidated financial statements was compatible with maintaining their independence. The Audit Committee has established policies to review and pre-approve any non-audit services proposed to be provided by the independent auditors, and to review and pre-approve the scope, work plan and fees for the audit services to be provided by the independent auditors.

        Based on our review and these meetings, discussions and reports, and subject to the limitations on our role and responsibilities referred to above and in the Audit Committee Charter, we recommended to the Board of Directors that Power-One, Inc.'s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007 be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have also appointed Deloitte & Touche to serve as the Company's independent auditors for fiscal 2008, subject to stockholder ratification.

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Overview

        This section contains a discussion of the material elements of compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, and our three other most highly compensated executive officers. These individuals are referred to as the "Named Executive Officers" in this Proxy Statement. As noted above, William T. Yeates resigned as our Chief Executive Officer on February 19, 2008.

        The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee") has the primary responsibility for overseeing our executive compensation program. The program is designed to attract, retain, motivate and fairly compensate the senior executive talent necessary to manage the Company effectively. Our program also aims to support the creation and maintenance of stockholder value and is designed to make pay consistent with performance.

        Consideration is given to a number of variables in establishing, managing, and administering the total compensation package of our senior executives. Key variables include the amount of compensation paid to executive officers in similar positions at companies that compete with us for executives, the individual's role, leadership responsibilities and performance during the last year, and a balancing between near-term cash compensation and longer-term equity based compensation.

        The Compensation Committee solicits and encourages management input, recommendations, and suggestions on all elements of total compensation. However, the ultimate decision-making and final approval rests solely with the Compensation Committee. The Company believes that the total compensation currently being paid to our executive officers is consistent and in keeping with current market rates for companies of comparable size.

        The Company believes that bonuses, incentive payments and other performance based awards must be tied directly to, and come as a reward for, clearly measurable performance associated directly with key financial and operational metrics. Additionally, the Company believes that the executive officers must have a significant portion of their total compensation potential aligned, via equity incentives, with stockholder interests, to ensure that stockholder value remains a primary objective and criteria in the management of the Company. However, the Company strives to balance current results with future expectations and believes that, in appropriate situations, certain discretionary bonuses or other compensation can be an appropriate tool when officers are tasked with and perform major operational or other tasks that may not, upon completion, necessarily result in immediate financial performance improvements.

Targeted Overall Compensation

        In 2007, the Compensation Committee retained ORC Worldwide ("ORC") to provide compensation data and make recommendations to the Compensation Committee for evaluation and review of total compensation packages for our executive officers. Attention was given to salary levels, bonus entitlement, and equity compensation as the key elements of total compensation packages. ORC used a variety of reference sources in reaching its conclusions and recommendations for the Compensation Committee. ORC used data from publicly available surveys that focused on a cross section of high technology and durable goods manufacturing companies of approximately the same size and market capitalization as the Company. References below in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis to compensation paid to executives by "comparable companies" are based on the survey data provided by ORC to the Compensation Committee.

        The survey information and recommendations provided by ORC were considered by the Compensation Committee,

29


among other factors as discussed below, for setting the initial compensation for Jeffrey J. Kyle, who was appointed as the Company's Chief Financial Officer in March, 2007. Additionally, the ORC information was considered as a factor by the Compensation Committee in setting the levels for equity awards issued in May, 2007 to Mr. Kyle, Mr. Yeates and Brad W. Godfrey (our President and Chief Operating Officer). Details on the compensation paid to Mr. Kyle as Chief Financial Officer, as well as the equity awards issued to Messrs. Yeates, Godfrey, and Kyle, are noted below in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and in the Summary Compensation Table.

Elements of Compensation

        The key elements in determining the total compensation paid to our executives are:


        As described below, we also provide our Named Executive Officers with certain perquisites and personal benefits and severance benefits if the executive's employment terminates under certain circumstances.

Base Salary

        Base salaries are used to provide a specific level of primary compensation for services rendered during the fiscal year. Levels are set for each executive based on the executive's position and responsibility by using market data, anecdotal information, and senior management's determination of overall organizational compensation equity. None of the Named Executive Officers have any employment agreements in place that guarantee any specified salary level or amount.

        There were no salary increases granted in 2007 to any Named Executive Officer, except for a salary increase granted to Mr. Kyle upon his appointment as Chief Financial Officer effective in March, 2007.

Cash Bonus Plans

        The Compensation Committee determined, in light of the Company's overall financial circumstances and then current projections, not to adopt any cash bonus plan for 2007 for executive officers. The Compensation Committee further determined upon completion of the 2007 fiscal year that no discretionary bonuses for 2007 would be paid to executives.

Equity Awards

        Historically, executive cash compensation has been supplemented with significant equity awards that provide compensation correlated to the performance of the Company's stock. The

30


Company believes that the use of equity awards that create value for the executive in direct correlation to the performance of the Company's stock price and shareholder value should be an essential element of overall compensation packages.

        We grant equity awards to our executive officers in the form of restricted stock units that are payable upon vesting in shares of our common stock. We believe that these awards encourage retention as they generally vest over the four-year period following the date of grant, and upon payment at the end of the vesting period, the stock units will have the value of our stock price on the payment date. In general, this means the executive will receive an award that has some financial value regardless of stock price volatility. However, because the ultimate value of the restricted stock units is directly related to the value of our stock, restricted stock units also help to link executives' interests with those of our stockholders.

        Equity grants were made in 2007 to Messrs. Yeates, Godfrey and Kyle. In electing to make these grants, the Compensation Committee determined that these officers were then in the process of working on certain major projects that included specific and aggressive goals, performance metrics, and timelines as determined by the Board of Directors. The goal of the applicable projects was to achieve major improvements in the financial and operational performance of the Company, with associated increases in shareholder value. The Compensation Committee noted that retention of these officers was of key importance to the completion of these projects.

        As noted above, the Compensation Committee considered information provided in early 2007 to the Compensation Committee by a compensation consultant (ORC) that had been engaged by the Compensation Committee to provide input into award levels for executive officer positions based on industry comparability, past equity awards, and performance expectations. In setting the vesting schedules for the awards issued to Messrs. Yeates, Godfrey and Kyle, the Compensation Committee noted that the awards under consideration were to provide value only after sustained focus on and successful achievement of longer range objectives, and that the retention element should be appropriately aligned with expectations for a reasonable period for measurable improvement in the Company's performance. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee established a vesting schedule under which the first installment would vest on the second anniversary of the date of grant. The Compensation Committee determined that the two year horizon for initial vesting was properly aligned with the applicable projects, achievement targets, and retention considerations.

        The Company does not have a formal policy requiring that equity award grants be made at any particular time but expects to continue to use equity awards to executive officers at the Company's discretion when and as deemed appropriate by the Company. The Company does not have, nor does it intend to adopt, any practice of timing the grant of any form of equity award in coordination with any release or announcement of any material non-public information.

Perquisites and Personal Benefits

        The Company provides certain perquisites and personal benefits to the Named Executive Officers as described in the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table below. The Company believes that perquisites and personal benefits are often a tax-advantaged way to provide the Named Executive Officers with additional annual compensation that supplements their other compensation opportunities, and therefore treats perquisites as another component of annual compensation that is merely paid in a different form.

Severance Benefits

        We provide each of our active Named Executive Officers with severance benefits under

31


individual change of control agreements ("CIC Agreements") upon certain terminations of their employment in connection with a change in control of the Company. The CIC Agreements were adopted so that senior executives may be relied on, in the event of a potential change in control, to focus on the pending transaction. The Board believes that providing senior executives with transitional compensation protection if employment might end as a result of a change in control, strongly encourages the executive to work on a change in control with full attention to consummating a transaction that is beneficial to the Company and stockholders. The CIC Agreements are intended to eliminate the executive's personal uncertainties and risks that may be created by the possibility of a change in control. The severance benefits for the Named Executive Officers are generally determined as if they continued to remain employed for one to two years following their actual termination date, depending on the officer position the executive holds with the Company.

        In May 2007, we entered into revised forms of CIC Agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers. These revised agreements are generally comparable to the prior CIC Agreements in terms of the benefits provided but were modified to make the payment of severance benefits contingent on the executive's execution of a release of claims in favor of the Company. Under the revised CIC Agreements, outstanding equity-based awards held by our Named Executive Officers will generally accelerate on a change in control of the Company. Although this accelerated vesting will occur whether or not a Named Executive Officer's employment terminates, we believe it is appropriate to fully vest equity awards in these change in control situations and allow the award-holder to benefit from any gain under the award at the time of the transaction.

        In addition, the May 2007 revised agreements for Messrs. Godfrey and Kyle provide that if their benefits exceed a specified amount, the executive will be reimbursed for the full amount of any excise taxes imposed on their severance payments and any other payments under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code. The excise tax gross-up is intended to make the executive whole for any adverse tax consequences they may become subject to under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, and to preserve the level of change in control severance protections that we determined to be appropriate when we entered into these agreements.

        Other than the CIC Agreements, we do not have any formal severance benefit agreements with any of our executive officers. In the past, certain officers have received severance packages upon termination of employment by the Company without cause that have provided for severance pay for periods of up to twelve (12) months. Such packages have been entered into at the discretion of management, in consultation with the Compensation Committee, when management has deemed it appropriate under the circumstances. All such packages have been entered into in connection with the executive's execution of a waiver and release agreement in favor of the Company.

Policy with Respect to Section 162(m)

        Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows public companies a tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to their chief executive officers and certain other executive officers unless certain performance and other requirements are met. Our intent generally is to design and administer executive compensation programs in a manner that will preserve the deductibility of compensation paid to our executive officers, and we believe that a substantial portion of our current executive compensation program satisfies the requirements for exemption from the $1,000,000 deduction limitation. However, we reserve the right to design programs that recognize a full range of performance criteria important to our success, even where the compensation paid under such programs may not

32


be deductible. The Compensation Committee believes that no part of the Company's tax deduction for compensation paid to the named executive officers for 2007 will be disallowed under Section 162(m). The Compensation Committee will continue to monitor the tax and other consequences of our executive compensation program as part of its primary objective of ensuring that compensation paid to our executive officers is reasonable, performance-based and consistent with the goals of the Company and its stockholders.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION*

        The Compensation Committee of the Company has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis required by Item 402(b) of Regulation S-K with management and, based on such review and discussions, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.


COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

        The Compensation Committee members whose names appear on the Compensation Committee Report above were committee members from August 1, 2007 through December 30, 2007. The members of the Compensation Committee from January 1, 2007 through July 31, 2007 were Jay Walters (Chairman), Gayla J. Delly and Jon E.M. Jacoby. No member who served on the Compensation Committee at any time during 2007 is or has been an executive officer of the Company or had any relationships requiring disclosure by the Company under the SEC's rules requiring disclosure of certain relationships and related-party transactions. During the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007, none of our executive officers served as a director or a member of a compensation committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of any other entity, whose own executive officers served as a director or member of our Compensation Committee.

*
SEC filings sometimes "incorporate information by reference." This means the Company is referring you to information that has previously been filed with the SEC, and that this information should be considered as part of the filing you are reading. Unless the Company specifically states otherwise, this report shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference and shall not constitute soliciting material or otherwise be considered filed under the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act.

33

EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION


SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

        The following table presents information regarding compensation of our principal executive officer(s), our principal financial officer(s) and our three other most highly compensated executive officers for services rendered during 2006 and 2007. These individuals are referred to as "Named Executive Officers" in this Proxy Statement.

 
Name and
Principal
Position
   Year
   Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Stock
Awards
($)(1)
   Option
Awards
($)
   Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan
Compensation
($)
   Change in
Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)
   All Other
Compensation
($)(2)
   Total
($)

(a)
   (b)
   (c)
   (d)
   (e)
   (f)
   (g)
   (h)
   (i)
   (j)

Steven J. Goldman,
Chairman(3)		   2007
2006		   $
$		 352,170
520,000		     —
—		    
—		   $179,085(8)
—		   —
—		   —
—		   $
$		 172,523
22,870		   $
$		 703,778
542,870
William T. Yeates,
Chief Executive Officer		   2007
2006		   $
$		 441,500
413,463		   $
$		 1,500(7)
100,000		   $
$		 243,438
126,958		   —
—		   —
—		   —
—		   $
$		 18,501
19,145		   $
$		 704,939
659,566
Jeffrey J. Kyle,
VP Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer(6)		   2007   $ 226,095     —   $ 174,469   —   —   —   $ 16,634   $ 417,198
Paul E. Ross,
VP Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer(5)		   2007
2006		   $
$		 69,771
193,654		  
$		 —
15,000		   $
$		 60,000
50,783		   —
—		   —
—		   —
—		   $
$		 29,790
16,896		   $
$		 159,561
276,333
Brad W. Godfrey,
President and Chief Operating Officer		   2007
2006		   $
$		 330,000
292,240		  
$		 —
100,000		   $
$		 220,078
126,958		   —
—		   —
—		   —
—		   $
$		 14,565
15,938		   $
$		 564,643
535,136
Randall H. Holliday,
Secretary & General Counsel		   2007
2006		   $
$		 260,000
253,079		  
$		 —
20,000		   $
$		 60,000
50,783		   —
—		   —
—		   —
—		   $
$		 17,880
18,922		   $
$		 337,880
342,784
Alexander Levran,
Chief Technology Officer(4)		   2007   $ 255,000     —   $ 89,125   —   —   —   $ 16,096   $ 360,221
(1)
The amounts reported in Column (e) of the table above reflect the aggregate dollar amounts recognized for stock awards for financial statement reporting purposes with respect to 2006 and 2007 (disregarding any estimate of forfeitures related to service-based vesting conditions). No stock awards granted to Non-Employee Directors were forfeited during 2006 or 2007. For a discussion of the assumptions and methodologies used to calculate the amounts referred to above, please see the discussion of stock awards and option awards contained in Note 14 of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, included as part of the Company's 2007 Annual Report to Stockholders filed on Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference.

34

(2)
All Other Compensation for each Named Executive Officer in 2007 includes:

•
Steven J. Goldman-Auto allowance of $6,273, 401(k) company contributions of $9,000, company paid life insurance premiums of $1,080, accrued vacation paid upon termination as an employee on June 12, 2007 of $144,170, and fees paid to Mr. Goldman for services as a director of the company from June 13, 2007 through December 30, 2007 of $12,000.

•
William T. Yeates-Auto allowance of $13,260, 401(k) company contributions of $4,161, and company paid life insurance premiums of $1,080.

•
Jeffrey J. Kyle-Auto allowance of $7,800, 401(k) company contributions of $7,754, and company paid life insurance premiums of $1,080.

•
Paul E. Ross-Auto allowance of $1,800, 401(k) company contributions of $3,463, company paid life insurance premiums of $356, and accrued vacation upon termination as an employee on March 16, 2007 of $24,170.

•
Brad W. Godfrey-Auto allowance of $7,800, 401(k) company contributions of $5,421, and company paid life insurance premiums of $1,344.

•
Randall H. Holliday-Auto allowance of $7,800, 401(k) company contributions of $9,000, and company paid life insurance premiums of $1,080.

•
Alexander Levran-Auto allowance of $7,650, 401(k) company contributions of $7,366, and company paid life insurance premiums of $1,080.

(3)
Steven J. Goldman held the officer position of Chairman from January 1, 2007 through June 12, 2007. Mr. Goldman relinquished the position of Chairman and resigned as an employee of the Company on June 12, 2007 and continues to serve as a director of the Company. The 2006 compensation reported for Mr. Goldman was paid to him in his officer position of Chairman.

(4)
Alexander Levran was appointed Chief Technology Officer effective January 2, 2007.

(5)
Paul E. Ross submitted his notice of resignation on February 12, 2007 to accept a position with another company. Mr. Ross left the Company on March 16, 2007.

(6)
Jeffrey J. Kyle was appointed Vice President-Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer effective March 19, 2007.

(7)
William T. Yeates' bonus of $1,500 was payable to him as inventor of an issued patent under our company-wide Patent Incentive Award Program.

(8)
This amount represents the financial expense incurred with respect to modifications to the extension of the exercise periods of certain outstanding options held by Mr. Goldman in connection with his resignation as Chairman in June 2007. See the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below for more information.

35


GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS-FISCAL 2007

        The following table presents information regarding the equity incentive awards granted to the Named Executive Officers for 2007. Each of these awards was granted under our 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the "2004 Plan").

 
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)
    
    
    
 
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
   All Other
Option
Awards:
Number
of
Securities
Underlying
Options
(#)
    
    
 
    
   Estimated Potential Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards
   Estimated Potential
Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards
    
   Grant
Date Fair
Value of
Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)
 
    
   Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
 
  

Name
   Grant
Date
   Threshold
($)
   Target
($)
   Maximum
($)
   Threshold
(#)
   Target
(#)
   Maximum
(#)

(a)
   (b)
   (c)
   (d)
   (e)
   (f)
   (g)
   (h)
   (i)
   (j)
   (k)
   (l)

Steven J. Goldman,
Chairman(1)		   8/1/07
8/1/07
8/1/07
8/1/07
8/1/07
8/1/07		   —   —   —   —   —   —   —   195,000
105,000
105,000
75,000
75,000
100,000		   $
$
$
$
$
$		 4.67
20.88
5.77
5.77
6.02
8.92		   $
$
$
$
$
$		 92,043
42
34,356
24,540
21,579
6,525
William T. Yeates,
Chief Executive Officer		   5/15/07   —   —   —   —   —   —   200,000   —     —   $ 690,000
Jeffrey J. Kyle,
Vice President-Finance, Treasurer, and Chief Financial Officer		   3/19/07
5/15/07		   —   —   —   —   —   —   50,000
100,000		   —     —   $
$		 271,000
345,000
Paul E. Ross,
VP Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer		   —   —   —   —   —   —   —   —   —     —     —
Brad W. Godfrey,
President and Chief Operating Officer		   5/15/07   —   —   —   —   —   —   150,000   —     —   $ 517,500
Randall H. Holliday,
Secretary & General Counsel		   —   —   —   —   —   —   —   —   —     —     —
Alexander Levran,
Chief Technology Officer		   1/2/07   —   —   —   —   —   —   50,000   —     —   $ 356,500
(1)
The information reported for Mr. Goldman represents modifications to extend the exercise periods of certain outstanding options in connection with his resignation as Chairman in June 2007.

Narrative for Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

        As noted in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above, none of the Named Executive Officers are covered by employment agreements.

        Each of the equity-based awards reported in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table was granted under, and is subject to, the terms of the 2004 Plan. The 2004 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has authority to interpret the plan provisions

36

and make all required determinations under the plan. This authority includes making required proportionate adjustments to outstanding awards upon the occurrence of certain corporate events such as reorganizations, mergers and stock splits, and making provision to ensure that any tax withholding obligations incurred in respect of awards are satisfied. Awards granted under the plan are generally only transferable to a beneficiary of a Named Executive Officer upon his or her death. However, the Compensation Committee may establish procedures for the transfer of awards to other persons or entities, provided that such transfers comply with applicable securities laws and, with limited exceptions set forth in the plan document, are not made for value.

        The restricted stock unit awards reported in the table above for Messrs. Yeates, Godfrey and Kyle dated May 15, 2007 are scheduled to vest (subject to continued employment with the Company) 25% on each of May 15, 2009 and May 15, 2010 and 50% on May 15, 2011. All other restricted stock unit awards reported in the table above are scheduled to vest 25% at each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of the initial award. All units are payable in shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis following the vesting date and include the right to receive dividend payments. Under the terms of awards granted under the 2004 Plan, if there is a change in control of the Company, outstanding awards granted under the plan (including awards held by our Named Executive Officers) will generally become fully vested and, in the case of options, exercisable, unless the Compensation Committee provides for the substitution, assumption, exchange or other continuation of the outstanding awards. As noted in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above, outstanding awards held by our Named Executive Officers will also generally become fully vested upon a change in control of the Company under the CIC Agreements.

37


OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2007 YEAR-END

        The following table presents information regarding the outstanding equity awards held by each of our Named Executive Officers as of December 30, 2007.

 
 
   Option Awards
   Stock Awards
 
  

Name
   Number
Of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Exercisable
   Number
Of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
(#)
Unexercisable
   Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
Of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options
(#)
   Option
Exercise
Price
($)
   Option
Expiration
Date
   Number
Of Shares
Or Units
Of Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
(#)
   Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested
($)
   Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
Of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not
Vested
(#)
   Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value
Of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That Have
Not
Vested($)

(a)
   (b)
   (c)
   (d)
   (e)
   (f)
   (g)
   (h)(1)
   (i)
   (j)

Steven J. Goldman,
Chairman		   195,000
105,000
105,000
75,000
75,000
100,000		  

—		  

—		   $
$
$
$
$
$		 4.67
20.88
5.77
5.77
6.02
8.92		   6/16/2008
4/17/2010
10/1/2011
10/1/2011
1/8/2013
12/9/2013		  

—		    

—		  

—		  

—
William T. Yeates,
Chief Executive Officer		   450,000
225,000
75,000
75,000
75,000
75,000		  

—		  

—		   $
$
$
$
$
$		 11.17
11.17
17.54
5.77
5.77
6.02		   1/13/2010
1/13/2010
3/30/2010
10/1/2011
10/1/2011
1/8/2013		  





50,000(2)
25,000(3)
200,000(5)		  





$
$
$





204,500
102,250
818,000		  

—		  

—
Jeffrey J. Kyle,
VP Finance, Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer		   25,000
40,000		  

—		  

—		   $
$		 4.96
9.12		   1/27/2013
7/21/2014		  

20,000(2)
10,000(3)
50,000(4)
100,000(5)		  

$
$
$
$

81,800
40,900
204,500
409,000		  

—		  

—
Paul E. Ross,
VP Finance, Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer(6)		   —   —   —     —   —   —     —   —   —
Brad W. Godfrey,
President and Chief Operating Officer		   105,000
105,000
40,000
40,000
30,000		  

—		  

—		   $
$
$
$
$		 20.88
5.77
5.77
6.02
8.92		   4/17/2010
10/1/2011
10/1/2011
1/8/2013
12/9/2013		  




50,000(2)
25,000(3)
150,000(5)		  




$
$
$




204,500
102,250
613,500		  

—		  

—
Randall H. Holliday,
Secretary & General Counsel		   50,000
50,000
15,000
40,000
30,000		  

—		  

—		   $
$
$
$
$		 35.88
5.77
5.77
6.02
8.92		   1/8/2011
10/1/2011
10/1/2011
1/8/2013
12/9/2013		  




20,000(2)
10,000(3)		  




$
$




81,800
40,900		  

—		  

—
Alexander Levran,
Chief Technology Officer		   —   —   —     —   —   50,000(7)   $ 204,500   —   —
(1)
The dollar amounts shown in Column (h) are determined by multiplying (x) the number of shares or units reported in Column (g) by (y) $4.09 (the closing price of our common stock on December 28, 2007, i.e. the last business day of our fiscal 2007).

38

(2)
Scheduled to vest in equal installments on May 17, 2008 and May 17, 2009.

(3)
Scheduled to vest in full on July 31, 2010.

(4)
Scheduled to vest in equal installments on May 19, 2008, May, 19, 2009, May 19, 2010 and May 19, 2011.

(5)
Scheduled to vest 25% on each of May 15, 2009 and May 15, 2010 and 50% on May 15, 2011.

(6)
Paul Ross has no further interest in options or stock awards as a result of his end of active service with the Company in March 2007.

(7)
Scheduled to vest in equal installments on January 2, 2008, January 2, 2009, January 2, 2010, and January 2, 2011.


OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED—FISCAL 2007

        The following table presents information regarding the vesting during 2007 of stock awards previously granted to the Named Executive Officers.

 
 
   Option Awards
   Stock Awards
 
  

Name
   Number of
Shares
Acquired
On
Exercise
(#)
   Value
Realized
On
Exercise
($)
   Number of
Shares
Acquired
On
Vesting
(#)
   Value
Realized
On
Vesting
($)

(a)
   (b)
   (c)
   (d)
   (e)(1)

Steven J. Goldman
Chairman		   —   —   —     —
William T. Yeates
Chief Executive Officer		   —   —   25,000   $ 86,000
Jeffrey J. Kyle
VP Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer		   —   —   10,000   $ 34,400
Paul E. Ross
VP Finance, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer		   —   —   —     —
Brad W. Godfrey
President and Chief Operating Officer		   —   —   25,000   $ 86,000
Randall H. Holliday
Secretary and General Counsel		   —   —   10,000   $ 34,400
Alexander Levran
Chief Technology Officer		   —   —   —     —
(1)
The dollar amounts shown in Column (e) above for stock awards are determined by multiplying the number of shares or units, as applicable, that vested by the per-share closing price of our common stock on the vesting date.

39

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION IN CONNECTION WITH CHANGE IN CONTROL

        As described in our "Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above, the Company has entered into change in control agreements ("CIC Agreements") with certain Named Executive Officers. The CIC Agreements are administered by our Compensation Committee. Each CIC Agreement provides for automatic renewal on an annual basis, unless the Compensation Committee provides written notice of termination of the agreement to an executive at least three months prior to the renewal date.

        Two forms of CIC Agreement were approved and adopted by the Compensation Committee. One form is known as the "Senior Executive CIC Agreement." The other form is known as the "Executive CIC Agreement." The offices of (i) Chief Executive Officer, (ii) President and Chief Operating Officer, and (iii) Chief Financial Officer are covered by the Senior Executive CIC Agreement. Other eligible officers as designated by the Compensation Committee (including Mr. Holliday and Dr. Levran) are covered by the Executive CIC Agreement.

        The main difference between the two forms of agreement relates to the treatment of amounts paid under an agreement in connection with a change in control of the Company under Section 280G of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Section 280G, when applied to payments made under the CIC Agreements, can result in certain amounts being considered "excess parachute payments." Such a determination can result in adverse tax consequences for the Company and the executive. Calculations under and results that may arise from Section 280G are complicated and highly dependant upon a variety of individual variables for each executive. As such, it is impossible to tell, in advance, whether any given package payable under a CIC Agreement might result in application of Section 280G.

        Under the Senior Executive CIC Agreement, the executive would receive, under certain circumstances if and when Section 280G applied to impact payments to be made to the executive, a "gross up" to make the executive whole for any adverse tax consequences as a result of the application of Section 280G. A "gross up" involves payment of additional sums so that the ultimate package received by the executive, net of all income taxes, equals the package as originally intended. The Senior Executive CIC Agreement has an exception to the "gross up" provisions in certain circumstances. If the amount of the benefits considered an "excess parachute payment" is less than $100,000, the benefits will automatically be reduced to the extent required to avoid the application of Section 280G to the benefits, and no gross-up payment will be made.

        Under the Executive CIC Agreement, in the event any of the executive's total payments would be deemed "excess parachute payments" under Section 280G, the executive's benefits will either be reduced to the extent necessary to avoid the application of Section 280G or the full amount of the benefits will be paid, whichever results in a greater benefit being paid to the executive on an after-tax basis. An executive is not entitled to any "gross up" payments under the Executive CIC Agreement.

        Except as discussed above regarding the difference between the two forms of CIC Agreement relating to Section 280G issues, all other terms and conditions of the CIC Agreements, as discussed below, are the same for each form of agreement.

        The CIC Agreements provide that upon a change in control of the Company, the executive's equity-based awards, to the extent then outstanding and unvested, will become fully vested upon the transaction. The CIC Agreements also include "double trigger" cash severance provisions. Under these provisions, the executive will be entitled to cash severance benefits only if (a) the executive's employment is terminated by the Company without cause (as defined in the CIC Agreement) or by the executive for good reason (as defined in the CIC Agreement), and (b) the termination occurs within

40


the period beginning six months before and ending 24 months after a change in control (as defined in the CIC Agreement) of the Company.

        If an executive is entitled to severance under his CIC Agreement, the executive's severance benefits are based on a "multiplier" of either two (for Mr. Yeates) or one (for Messrs. Godfrey, Kyle, Holliday and Dr. Levran). These benefits include:

        The CIC Agreements provide that payment of the severance benefits described above is contingent on the executive's executing a general release of claims in favor of the Company. In addition, the CIC Agreements include provisions under which, in consideration for the payments and benefits under the CIC Agreement, the executive agrees to:

41

        In the table below, we have estimated the potential cost to the Company of the payments and benefits each named executive officer covered by a CIC Agreement would have received if a change in control of the Company had occurred and/or his employment had terminated under the circumstances described in the CIC Agreements on December 28, 2007, the last business day of our fiscal year 2007.

 
 
   Severance Benefits
    
 
  

   
Name and
Principal
Position
   Cash
Severance
Payment
   Payment of
COBRA
Premiums(3)
   Other
   Fair Market
Value of
Accelerated
Equity
Compensation(2)
   Total

William T. Yeates(1)(5)
Chief Executive Officer		   $ 1,160,494   $ 40,567   $ 15,000(4)   $ 1,124,750   $ 2,340,811
Jeffrey J. Kyle(5)
VP Finance, Treasurer &
Chief Financial Officer		   $ 274,428   $ 20,284   $ 15,000(4)   $ 736,200   $ 1,045,912
Brad W. Godfrey(5)
President & Chief Operating Officer		   $ 438,333   $ 19,279   $ 15,000(4)   $ 920,250   $ 1,392,862
Randall H. Holliday(6)
Secretary & General Counsel		   $ 295,105   $ 20,284   $ 15,000(4)   $ 122,700   $ 453,089
Alexander Levran(6)
Chief Technology Officer		   $ 255,000   $ 20,284   $ 20,893(7)   $ 204,500   $ 500,677
(1)
Mr. Yeates resigned as Chief Executive Officer effective February 19, 2008. He is shown in this table for representative purposes only, to reflect his potential benefits as of December 28, 2007.

(2)
Based on closing price of $4.09 on 12/28/07, the last business day of our fiscal year 2007. As noted, above, each executive would be entitled to full acceleration of his equity-based awards upon a change in control of the Company.

(3)
Estimated cost to Company of premiums payable over applicable time period for the Named Executive Officer.

(4)
Maximum amount payable or to be reimbursed to the named officer for outplacement services. None of these executives had any unvested benefits under our 401(k) plan or any other retirement or deferred compensation plan as of December 28, 2007, except Dr. Levran, who was 80% unvested in the 401(k) plan as of that date.

(5)
As noted above in the discussion at "Potential Payments Upon Termination in Connection With Change in Control," severance benefits payable to Messrs. Yeates, Kyle and Godfrey may be eligible for "gross up" payments related to excise taxes assessed against and arising in relation to "excess parachute payments" under Section 280G of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. No such gross-up payment would have been made to Messrs. Yeates, Kyle, or Godfrey if a change in control and/or termination of employment had occurred on December 28, 2007.

(6)
Under the applicable agreements in place with Mr. Holliday and Dr. Levran, each executive's severance benefits are subject to reduction to the extent they are deemed "excess parachute payments" and trigger liability for excise taxes. Accordingly, the actual amount of the executive's severance benefit may have been less than the amount reported in this table.

(7)
Includes the maximum amount payable to or to be reimbursed to Dr. Levran for outplacement services of $15,000, plus the amount of $5,893 relating to acceleration of the unvested Company matching contribution for Dr. Levran's 401(k) account as of December 28, 2007.

42

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

        The following table presents certain information about beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 3, 2008 unless otherwise noted, by each person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by us to own beneficially more than 5% of our common stock, each director, each executive officer, including the Named Executive Officers and all current directors and executive officers as a group. Except as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock shown as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws where applicable.

Name of Beneficial Owner(1)
   Number of Shares(2)
   Percent of Total(3)
Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc.(4)   8,229,250   9.4
Wells Fargo & Company(5)   7,886,655   9.0
Security Investors, LLC(6)   6,961,400   8.0
Warren A. Stephens(7)   5,194,116   5.9
Bel Ventures Inc.(8)   4,370,052   5.0
Steven J. Goldman   3,235,566   3.7
Jon E.M. Jacoby(9)   1,683,446   1.9
William T. Yeates (former Chief Executive Officer)(10)   1,483,745   1.7
Brad W. Godfrey(11)   1,114,508   1.3
Richard J. Thompson   562,000   *
Jeffrey J. Kyle   261,425   *
Randall H. Holliday   241,366   *
Kendall R. Bishop   203,317   *
Jay Walters   165,523   *
Mark Melliar-Smith   76,167   *
Alexander Levran   44,681   *
Gayla J. Delly   38,000   *
Paul Ross   0   0
All current executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)(2)   7,626,009   8.6
*
Less than 1%

(1)
The addresses for the listed beneficial owners are as follows: for Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., 6300 Lamar Avenue, Overland Park, Kansas, 66202; for Wells Fargo & Company, 420 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California, 94104; for Security Investors, LLC, One Security Benefit Place, Topeka, Kansas, 66636; for Warren A. Stephens, 111 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72201; for Bel Ventures Inc., 206 Van Vorst Street, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07302; for Jon E.M. Jacoby, c/o the Stephens Group, LLC, 100 Morgan Keegan Drive, Little Rock, Arkansas, 72202; and for each other listed stockholder, c/o the Company, 740 Calle Plano, Camarillo, California, 93012.

(2)
Includes options to exercise shares of common stock held by the following individuals, and all executive officers and directors as a group, that were exercisable on or within 60 days after March 3, 2008, as follows: Goldman 655,000; Godfrey 320,000; Holliday 185,000; Walters 152,500; Bishop 145,000; Kyle 65,000; Melliar-Smith 62,500; Jacoby 50,000; Delly 30,000; and all current executive officers and directors as a group 1,665,000. Gives effect to the three-for-two and two-for-one splits of our common stock effected during 2000.

43

(3)
Under Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), certain shares may be deemed to be beneficially owned by more than one person (if, for example, a person shares the power to vote or the power to dispose of the shares). In addition, under Rule 13d-3(d)(1) of the Exchange Act, shares which the person (or group) has the right to acquire within 60 days after the record date of March 3, 2008 are deemed to be outstanding in calculating the beneficial ownership and the percentage ownership of the person (or group) but are not deemed to be outstanding as to any other person or group. As a result, the percentage of outstanding shares of any person as shown in this table does not necessarily reflect the person's actual ownership of voting power with respect to the number of shares of common stock actually outstanding at the record date.

(4)
Based on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 1, 2008, by Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc., Waddell & Reed Financial Services, Inc., Waddell & Reed, Inc., Waddell & Reed Investment Management Company and Ivy Investment Management Company. According to such filing, Waddell & Reed Financial, Inc. identifies itself as having indirect sole voting and dispositive power over the shares.

(5)
Based on Amendment No. 1 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 4, 2008 by Wells Fargo & Company on its own behalf and on behalf of Wells Capital Management Incorporated, Wells Fargo Funds Management, LLC, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association. According to such filing, Wells Fargo & Company beneficially owns 7,886,655 shares and has sole voting power over 7,829,555 shares and sole dispositive power over 7,844,887 shares.

(6)
Based on Amendment No. 2 to Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 2008 by Security Investors, LLC. According to such filing, Security Investors, LLC identifies itself as a registered investment adviser with sole voting and dispositive power over the shares.

(7)
Based on Amendment No. 7 to Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on February 14, 2008 by Warren A. Stephens, Co-Chairman of SF Holding Corp., and President and Chief Executive Officer of Stephens Inc, and other joint filing parties. Of the 5,194,116 shares, Mr. Stephens has sole voting and dispositive power over 4,602,451 shares, and shared voting and dispositive power over 591,665 shares. The 5,194,116 shares includes 130,171 shares owned by Warren Miles Amerine Stephens Trust, 130,171 shares owned by John Calhoun Stephens Trust, and 130,171 shares owned by Laura Whitaker Stephens Trust, each trust as to which Mr. Stephens, as sole trustee, has sole voting and dispositive power, 143,389 shares owned by Jackson T. Stephens Trust No. One as to which Mr. Stephens, as co-trustee with Jon E.M. Jacoby, has shared voting and dispositive power, 3,411,818 shares owned by Stephens Investments Holdings LLC as to which Mr. Stephens as manager, has sole voting and dispositive power, and 200,120 shares owned by Warren A. Stephens IRA as to which Mr. Stephens has sole voting and dispostive power. Also includes 8,347 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2000A LLC, 12,095 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2000B LLC, and 355 shares owned by Stephens Investment Partners 2001B LLC, as to which Mr. Stephens, as co-manager of each LLC, has shared voting and dispositive power. Also includes 206,540 shares held by Stephens Inc. in discretionary customer accounts as to which Mr. Stephens, as President of Stephens Inc., has shared voting and dispositive power, and 220,939 shares owned by Warren and Harriet Stephens Children's Trust for benefit of reporting person's children as to which Mr. Stephens may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power. Also includes 600,000 shares held by Stephens Inc., as to which Mr. Stephens has sole voting and dispositive power.

(8)
Based on Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on February 25, 2008 by Bel Fuse, Inc. and Bel Ventures Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bel Fuse Inc. According to such filing, the shares are owned directly by Bel Ventures Inc. and Bel Fuse, Inc. and Bel Ventures Inc. have shared voting and dispositive power over the shares.

44

(9)
Includes: 245,322 shares beneficially owned by Nicholas M. Stephens Trust AAAA and 245,322 shares owned by JT Stephens III Trust AAAA, as to which Mr. Jacoby has sole voting and dispositive power; 3,545 shares owned by Nicholas M. Stephens Trust AAAA and 3,545 shares owned by J.T. Stephens III Trust AAAA as to which Mr. Jacoby, as co-trustee of these trusts with Robert L. Schulte, has shared voting and dispositive power; 45,000 shares owned by Susan Stephens Campbell 1995 Trust UID 12/4/95, 45,000 shares owned by Craig D. Campbell, Jr. 1995 Trust UID 12/4/95 and 45,000 shares owned by Elizabeth Chisum Campbell 1995 Trust UID 12/4/95, as to which Mr. Jacoby, as a co-trustee of these trusts with Robert L. Schulte, has shared voting and dispositive power; 19,585 shares owned by Susan Stephens Campbell 2004 Trust, 19,585 shares owned by Craig D. Campbell, Jr. 2004 Trust and 19,585 shares owned by Elizabeth Chisum Campbell 2004 Trust, as to which Mr. Jacoby, as a co-trustee of these trusts with Emon Mahoney has shared voting and dispositive power; 295,451 shares beneficially owned by Jacoby Enterprises, Inc. to which Mr. Jacoby has sole voting and dispositive power; 132,955 shares owned by Jacoby Enterprises, Inc. as to which Mr. Jacoby has sole voting and dispositive power; 283,544 shares beneficially owned by Coral Two Corporation as to which Mr. Jacoby has sole voting and dispositive power; 30,566 shares owned by Delaware Charter Guarantee & Trust F/B/O Jon E.M. Jacoby Keogh as to which Mr. Jacoby has sole voting and dispositive power; 77,048 shares beneficially owned by Mr. Jacoby as to which Mr. Jacoby has sole voting and dispositive power; 8,322 shares owned by Mr. Jacoby as to which Mr. Jacoby has sole voting and dispositive power; and 20,682 shares owned by J&J Partners as to which Mr. Jacoby has sole voting and dispositive power; and 143,389 shares owned by Jackson T. Stephens Trust No. One as to which Mr. Jacoby, as co-trustee with Warren A. Stephens (as described in footnote 7 above), has shared voting and dispositive power.

(10)
Mr. Yeates resigned as a director and as our chief executive officer on February 19, 2008. The number of shares held by Mr. Yeates in the table above have not been included in the total calculation for all current executive officers and directors as a group.

(11)
Of the number of shares owned by Mr. Godfrey, 569,508 shares are held in a margin account at a brokerage firm. Under the terms of the margin account agreement, stocks and other assets held in the account may be pledged to secure margin obligations under the account.


SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

        Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. These persons are required by regulation of the SEC to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

        Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms that we received, or written representations from certain reporting persons, we believe that during 2007 our officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial owners complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements except as follows:

        On June 11, 2007, a Form 4 for Jeffrey J. Kyle was filed later than required. This filing reported 3,575 shares withheld on May 17, 2007 as payment of payroll tax liability due upon the vesting of 10,000 restricted stock units on May 17, 2007.

45


CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

REVIEW, APPROVAL OR RATIFICATION OF TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES

        Per action of its Board of Directors, the Company has adopted a written policy and procedure for the review, approval or ratification of related party transactions. Primary authority and responsibility for administration of this policy and procedure rests with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

        The Secretary of the Company is responsible for coordination with applicable parties to make initial determination if a given proposed transaction would be considered a related party transaction. Persons proposing to enter into a potential transaction with the Company provide the Secretary with notice of the proposed transaction that includes information that covers:

        If the applicable proposed transaction is determined to be a related party transaction, the proposed transaction is presented to disinterested members of the Audit Committee for consideration and approval.

        All applicable transactions are subject to approval or ratification of the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee evaluates applicable transactions with attention to and consideration of all relevant facts and circumstances, including benefits to the Company, the potential effect of a given proposed transaction on the independence of the related party, the availability of alternative non-related products or services, the terms of the proposed transaction, and other criteria deemed relevant to the Audit Committee.

        The Audit Committee may approve a related party transaction if the Audit Committee determines that the given transaction is on terms that are not inconsistent with the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

        In the event a given transaction involves multiple members of the Audit Committee, the proposed transaction will be considered by disinterested members of the Board of Directors in place of the Audit Committee.

RELATIONSHIPS AND TRANSACTIONS

        Ms. Gayla Delly, a director of the Company, is the President of Benchmark Electronics, a contract manufacturer to whom products are sold. During the year ended December 30, 2007, we recognized revenue on sales to Benchmark Electronics in the amount of $2.6 million, representing less than 1% of the Company's consolidated gross revenues during such fiscal year. At December 30, 2007, we were owed $0.7 million by Benchmark Electronics for products sold to Benchmark Electronics. Revenues received from Benchmark Electronics during the past three fiscal years have been less than 5% of the Company's consolidated gross revenues for the applicable fiscal years.

        During the year ended December 30, 2007, we had a loan outstanding for $50 million under a promissory note (the "Note") issued to PWER Bridge in connection with our acquisition of the Power Electronics Group of Magnetek, Inc. in October 2006. The Note was originally due on April 30, 2008, but was extended to April 30, 2010, as described below. A loan fee of approximately $0.3 million was paid to PWER

46

Bridge upon issuance of the Note. Interest on the outstanding principal balance of the Note accrued at a rate of 10% per annum until October 23, 2007 and at a rate of 12% thereafter. On October 23, 2007, the first anniversary date of the Note, a 1% maintenance fee (i.e. $0.5 million) accrued and was paid on the outstanding principal balance. We paid PWER Bridge approximately $5.6 million of interest for the year ended December 30, 2007 and no interest was paid during the year ended December 31, 2006 on the Note. At December 30, 2007, we owed $50.6 million in principal and interest to PWER Bridge.

        On March 6, 2008, we extended the maturity date of the Note to April 30, 2010 pursuant to the terms of an Amended and Restated Loan Agreement (the "Amended Loan Agreement"). In connection with obtaining the extension, we paid PWER Bridge a loan extension fee of $0.5 million, equal to 1% of the outstanding amount of the Note. Interest will continue to accrue at 12% per annum on the outstanding principal balance of the Note and will be payable monthly in cash. A maintenance fee is payable on each anniversary of the date of the Amended Loan Agreement, equal to 1% of the outstanding principal balance on such date, and the Note is prepayable at any time without premium or penalty.

        PWER Bridge is 100% owned by Warren A. Stephens, who owns approximately 5.9% of our outstanding common stock as of March 3, 2008. Mr. Stephens also has a 50% interest in SF Holding Corp., which was one of our significant stockholders at the time the original loan was entered into with PWER Bridge. One of our directors, Mr. Jacoby was an Executive Vice President of SF Holding Corp. at the time the original loan was entered into. However, at the time the original loan was entered into, Mr. Jacoby had no ownership interest, management or officer status in, or ability to control, direct, influence or impact the business or affairs conducted by PWER Bridge or any entity that controls PWER Bridge. Mr. Jacoby subsequently resigned his office in SF Holding Corp. in late 2006.

        Mr. Stephens also owns 100% of Stephens Insurance. We paid Stephens Insurance approximately $0.2 million for insurance brokerage services provided during each of the years ended December 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006.


FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION

Our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007, including financial statements, together with this proxy statement is being sent to stockholders of record on March 3, 2008, as of the close of business on or about March 14, 2008. We will furnish, without charge, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2007, including financial statements and the financial statement schedule as filed with the SEC, to any stockholder who submits a written request to our Secretary at our principal executive offices.

47



OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors knows of no other matters that have been submitted on a timely basis for voting at this Annual Meeting. If any other matters come before the stockholders at this Annual Meeting, including a motion to adjourn the meeting to another time or place to solicit additional proxies in favor of the recommendation of the Board of Directors, and authority to do so is included in the proxy, the persons named on the enclosed proxy card intend to vote the shares they represent as the Board of Directors may recommend.


Important Notice Regarding the Availability of
Proxy Materials for the Stockholder
Meeting to be Held on April 22, 2008

        The proxy statement and annual report to stockholders are available at www.power-one.com under "Investors/SEC Filings."

By Order of the Board of Directors,

RANDALL H. HOLLIDAY

Randall H. Holliday
 Secretary

Camarillo, California
March 14, 2008

48


POWER-ONE, INC.
2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

1.     PURPOSE OF PLAN

2.     ELIGIBILITY

3.     PLAN ADMINISTRATION

4.     SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN; SHARE LIMITS

5.     AWARDS

6.     EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON AWARDS

7.     ADJUSTMENTS; ACCELERATION

8.     OTHER PROVISIONS

POWER-ONE, INC.

PROXY

THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

        The undersigned having duly received the Notice of Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement, hereby appoints the Chief Executive Officer, Richard J. Thompson, the Chief Financial Officer, Jeffrey J. Kyle, and the Secretary and General Counsel, Randall H. Holliday, as proxies (each with the power to act alone and with the power of substitution and revocation) to represent the undersigned and to vote, as designated on the reverse, all common shares of Power-One, Inc. held of record by the undersigned on March 3, 2008, at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 at Marriott Courtyard, 4994 Verdugo Way, Camarillo, California at 8:00 a.m. Los Angeles time, and at any adjournment thereof.

(Continued and to be signed on the reverse side)

ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF

POWER-ONE, INC.

April 22, 2008

Please date, sign and mail
your proxy card in the
envelope provided as soon
as possible.

\/    Please detach along perforated line and mail in the envelope provided.    \/

20430300000000000000 2   050404
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION OF ALL DIRECTORS AND "FOR" PROPOSALS 2, 3, AND 4.
PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE. PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTE IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS SHOWN HERE ý
1.            To elect the following nominees for director:
    FOR   WITHHOLD    
Nominees:        
Kendall R. Bishop   o   o    
Gayla J. Delly   o   o    
Steven J. Goldman   o   o    
Jon E.M. Jacoby   o   o    
Mark Melliar-Smith   o   o    
Richard J. Thompson   o   o    
Jay Walters   o   o    
 
2.            Amend the 2004 Stock Incentive Plan.    
    FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN        
    o   o   o        

3.            Proposal to ratify the Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the independent auditors for the Company.
    FOR   AGAINST   ABSTAIN        
    o   o   o        
4.            The Proxies are authorized to vote in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors, on such other business as may properly come before the meeting, including a motion to adjourn the meeting to another time or place in order to solicit additional proxies in favor of the recommendations of the Board of Directors.
                            Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on April 22, 2008
                            The proxy statement and annual report to stockholders are available at www.power-one.com under "Investors/SEC Filings." This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed on the Proxy by the undersigned stockholder. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL NOMINEES TO THE BOARD LISTED IN PROPOSAL 1 AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3 AND 4.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED RETURN ENVELOPE.


 
 
 
 
                     


 
 
 
 

To change the address on your account, please check the box at right and indicate your new address in the address space above. Please note that changes to the registered name(s) on the account may not be submitted via this method. o
 
 
 
 

Signature of Stockholder
 
 
 
Date:
 
 
 
Signature of Stockholder
 
 
 
Date:
 
 
   
     
     
     
Note:   Please sign exactly as your name or names appear on this Proxy. When shares are held jointly, each holder should sign. When signing as executor, administrator, attorney, trustee or guardian, please give full title as such. If the signer is a corporation, please sign full corporate name by duly authorized officer, giving full title as such. If signer is a partnership, please sign in partnership name by authorized person.



QuickLinks

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION—FISCAL 2007
AGGREGATE PAST GRANTS UNDER THE 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION*
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
GRANTS OF PLAN BASED AWARDS-FISCAL 2007
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL 2007 YEAR-END
OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED—FISCAL 2007
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION
OTHER MATTERS
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to be Held on April 22, 2008
POWER-ONE, INC. 2004 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN