DEF 14A

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

(RULE 14a-101)

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No.    )

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PARK-OHIO HOLDINGS CORP.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

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PARK-OHIO HOLDINGS CORP.

6065 Parkland Boulevard

Cleveland, Ohio 44124

Notice of 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

The 2015 annual meeting of shareholders of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp., an Ohio corporation, will be held at Cuyahoga Community College, Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road, Room 238, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128, on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at 9:30 A.M., Cleveland Time. The purposes of the Annual Meeting are:

1. To elect three directors to serve until the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders;

2. To ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors for fiscal year 2015;

 

  3. To approve the Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan, the terms of which are described in the accompanying Proxy Statement;

4. To re-approve the Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. Annual Cash Bonus Plan, as amended; and

 

  5. To act on other matters that are properly brought before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments, postponements or continuations thereof.

The Board of Directors set March 31, 2015 as the record date for the Annual Meeting. This means that owners of Common Stock at the close of business on that date are entitled to (1) receive notice of the Annual Meeting and (2) vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments, postponements or continuations of the Annual Meeting.

You are invited to attend the Annual Meeting and urged to mark, sign and return the proxy card in the enclosed envelope, regardless of whether you expect to attend the Annual Meeting. No postage is required if mailed in the United States. Your proxy will not be used if you attend the Annual Meeting and vote in person. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may be asked to present a valid picture identification.

By Order of the Board of Directors

ROBERT D. VILSACK

    Secretary

April 16, 2015

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON MAY 28, 2015: A complete set of proxy materials relating to the Annual Meeting is available on the Internet. These materials, consisting of the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report, may be viewed at http://eproxy.pkoh.com.


PARK-OHIO HOLDINGS CORP.

6065 Parkland Boulevard

Cleveland, Ohio 44124

Proxy Statement for

Annual Meeting of Shareholders

To Be Held On May 28, 2015

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Board of Directors of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp., or Board, is furnishing this proxy statement in order to solicit proxies on its behalf to be voted at our 2015 annual meeting of shareholders. The Annual Meeting will be held at Cuyahoga Community College, Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road, Room 238, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128 on Thursday, May 28, 2015, at 9:30 A.M., Cleveland Time, and any and all adjournments, postponements or continuations thereof.

Proxy materials are first being mailed to shareholders on or about April 16, 2015. A shareholder giving a proxy may revoke it, without affecting any vote previously taken, by a later appointment received by us prior to the Annual Meeting or by giving notice to us in writing or in open meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not by itself revoke a proxy. Shares represented by properly executed proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting. If a shareholder has specified how the proxy is to be voted with respect to a matter listed on the proxy, it will be voted in accordance with such specifications. If no specification is made, the executed proxy will be voted (1) “FOR” the election of the nominees for directors, (2) “FOR” ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors for fiscal year 2015, (3) “FOR” approval of the Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan and (4) “FOR” the re-approval of the Annual Cash Bonus Plan, as amended.

The record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting is March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, there were issued and outstanding 12,495,573 shares of our Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share. Each share is entitled to one vote on each matter presented at the Annual Meeting. Our Articles of Incorporation provide that shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.

If your shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm or other nominee, your shares may be voted even if you do not provide the brokerage firm or other nominee with voting instructions. Brokerage firms and other nominees have the authority to vote shares for which their customers do not provide voting instructions on certain “routine” matters. When a proposal is not a routine matter and the brokerage firm or other nominee has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares with respect to that proposal, the brokerage firm or other nominee cannot vote the shares on that proposal. This is referred to as a “broker non-vote.”

The proposal to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditor for fiscal year 2015 is the only routine matter for which the brokerage firm or other nominee who holds your shares can vote your shares without your instructions. Accordingly, there should be no broker non-votes with respect to such proposal, and broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the other proposals.

We are not aware of any matters other than those described in this proxy statement that will be presented to the Annual Meeting for action on the part of the shareholders. If any other matters are properly brought before the Annual Meeting that applicable law permits proxies to vote on a discretionary basis, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote the shares to which the proxy relates thereon in accordance with their best judgment. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum.

 

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The cost of soliciting proxies, including the charges and expenses incurred by brokerage firms and other persons for the forwarding of proxy materials to the beneficial owners of such shares, will be borne by us. Proxies may be solicited by our officers and employees by letter, by telephone or in person. Such individuals will not be additionally compensated but may be reimbursed by us for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses. In addition, we have retained Morrow & Co., LLC, 470 West Avenue, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, a professional proxy soliciting firm, to assist in the solicitation of proxies and will pay such firm a fee, estimated to be approximately $5,500, plus reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses.

PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The authorized number of directors is presently fixed at nine, divided into three classes of three members. The directors of each class are elected for three-year terms so that the term of office of one class of directors expires at each annual meeting. Proxies may only be voted for the nominees identified in the section entitled “Nominees for Election.”

The class of directors to be elected in 2015, who will hold their positions for a term of three years and until the election of their successors, has been fixed at three. Unless otherwise directed, the persons named in the accompanying proxy card will vote the proxies received by them (unless authority to vote is withheld) in favor of electing to that class: Patrick V. Auletta, Edward F. Crawford and James W. Wert, all of whom were previously elected as directors by our shareholders. If any nominee is not available at the time of election, the proxy holders may vote in their discretion for a substitute or such vacancy may be filled later by the Board. We have no reason to believe any nominee will be unavailable.

Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board

The affirmative vote of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting is required to elect Patrick V. Auletta, Edward F. Crawford and James W. Wert as directors to serve until the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect with respect to the election of directors.

YOUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” PATRICK V. AULETTA, EDWARD F. CRAWFORD AND JAMES W. WERT.

Biographical Information

Information is set forth below regarding the nominees for election and the directors who will continue in office as directors after the Annual Meeting. The information includes their ages, principal occupations during at least the past five years and other directorships held currently or within the last five years. Also set forth is the date each was first elected as a director.

Also contained in the biographical information below are the qualifications that led the Board to conclude that each director and nominee should serve as a director. Each director and nominee possesses the integrity, judgment and analytical ability to provide guidance and oversight of the Company. The aforementioned qualities, when viewed in tandem with the attributes and accomplishments of each director and nominee, as reflected below, qualify each director and nominee to serve on the Board.

 

 

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Nominees for Election

Name

  

Age

    

Principal Occupation

and Other Directorships

Patrick V. Auletta (a,b)

   64      Director since 2004; President Emeritus of KeyBank National Association (financial services company) since 2005; President of KeyBank National Association from 2001 to 2004; over 35 years of banking experience at KeyBank. Director of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. Mr. Auletta’s extensive experience in finance, the banking industry and general management, including his service as president of an operating company of a publicly-traded corporation, enables him to make significant contributions to the Board, particularly in his capacity as the Chair of the Audit Committee and as our Audit Committee financial expert. He has a broad and deep understanding of financial analysis, the financial reporting system, the challenges involved in developing and maintaining effective internal controls and evaluating risks to the Company.

Edward F. Crawford (a,d)

   75      Director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 1992 and President from 1997 to 2003. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Crawford Group (a venture capital, management consulting company) since 1964. Director of Hickok Incorporated (developer and manufacturer of electronic diagnostic tools and equipment) since 2012. Director of Materion Corporation (producer of high performance advanced engineered materials used in a variety of applications) since 2014. Mr. Edward Crawford has completed over 23 years of service to the Company as a director and senior officer and has amassed extensive knowledge of the Company’s strategies and operations. In addition, he also brings to the Board his experience in leading a variety of private enterprises for over 40 years. Mr. Matthew Crawford is the son of Mr. Edward Crawford.

James W. Wert (a,b,d,e)

   68      Director since 1992 and Lead Director since 2014; Chief Executive Officer, President and Director since 2003 and Vice President from 2000 to 2002 of CM Wealth Advisors, Inc., formerly known as Clanco Management Corporation (a registered investment advisor); formerly Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Investment Officer of KeyCorp (financial services company) from 1995 to 1996 and Chief Financial Officer of KeyCorp and predecessor companies from 1990 to 1995. Director of Marlin Business Services Corp. since 1997. For the period 1997-2008, director of Continental Global Group. Mr. Wert has acquired extensive experience handling transactional and investment issues through his experience managing a registered investment adviser and as chief investment officer of a publicly-traded corporation. Through this experience, as well as his service on other boards of publicly-traded corporations, he provides important insight and assistance to the Board in the areas of finance, investments and corporate governance. In addition, as one of our longest-standing directors, Mr. Wert provides continuity to the Board and has a broad understanding of the strategic and operational issues we face.

 

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Directors Continuing in Office with Term Expiring 2016

Name

  

Age

    

Principal Occupation

and Other Directorships

Matthew V. Crawford (d)

   45      Director since 1997; President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since 2003; Senior Vice President from 2001 to 2003; Assistant Secretary and Corporate Counsel from February 1995 to 2001; President of The Crawford Group (a venture capital, management consulting company) since 1995. Director of Hickok Incorporated (developer and manufacturer of electronic diagnostic tools and equipment) since 2015. With over 20 years of experience at the Company, Mr. Matthew Crawford is intimately familiar with the Company’s capabilities, customers, strategy, position in its industries and with developments within its industries. In addition, he is experienced in operating a number of diversified private companies. Mr. Matthew Crawford’s experience, influence and deep knowledge of the Company and its industries provides the Board with the management perspective necessary to successfully oversee the Company and its strategy and business operations. Mr. Edward Crawford is the father of Mr. Matthew Crawford.

Ronna Romney (c)

   71      Director since 2001; former political and news commentator for radio and television; author; U.S. Senate Candidate for Michigan 1996; former Chair of the President’s Commission for White House Fellowships; former Chair of the President’s Commission for White House Scholars; former Commissioner on the President’s National Advisory Council on Adult Education; since 1999 Director of Molina Healthcare, Inc. (managed healthcare service provider), also Lead Director and Chair of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of Molina Healthcare, Inc. Ms. Romney’s diverse experiences as a lead director for a health care company, her political experience, and her focus on education issues ensures the Board is aware of alternative perspectives in the oversight of the Company.

Steven H. Rosen (c,e)

   43      Director since 2011; Co-Chief Executive Officer of Resilience Capital Partners (private equity firm) since 2001. Managing member of SHR Holdings, LLC. Director of Hickok Incorporated (developer and manufacturer of electronic diagnostic tools and equipment). With his experience in assisting underperforming businesses and his expertise in the dynamics of capital markets, Mr. Rosen provides the Board insight in such diversified areas as finance, strategic planning, operations and capital investments.

 

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Directors Continuing in Office with Term Expiring 2017

Name

  

Age

    

Principal Occupation

and Other Directorships

Kevin R. Greene (b)

   56      Director since 1998; Managing Partner of James Alpha Management LLC (money management company) since 2005; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Capital Resource Holdings L.L.C. (pension consultant) from 1999 through 2004; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bryant Park Capital (investment bank) from 1991 through 2001; formerly a management consultant with McKinsey & Company (consulting firm). With his background in finance and money management, Mr. Greene provides the Board with financial and investment expertise, as well as valuable perspective on risk analysis and development and management of effective internal controls.

A. Malachi Mixon III (d)

   74      Director since 2008; Executive Chairman from 1983 until 2014, director since 1979, and Chief Executive Officer 1979-2010 of Invacare Corporation (manufacturer and distributor of home and long-term care medical products); director from 1993 through 2013 of The Sherwin-Williams Company (manufacturer and distributor of coatings and related products); since 2011, Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors and Trustees of The Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Cleveland Institute of Music; Trustee Emeritus of Case Western Reserve University. Mr. Mixon, as a long-time senior executive of a publicly-traded corporation, brings 30 years of upper management experience to the Board. Mr. Mixon is experienced in managing domestic and international manufacturing and distribution operations as well as organizing and restructuring companies. Through this experience, as well as his service on the boards of publicly-traded corporations, he provides important insight and assistance to the Board in the areas of finance, marketing, and corporate governance.

Dan T. Moore III (c,e)

   75      Director since 2003; Chief Executive Officer of Dan T. Moore Co. (a management company overseeing a group of companies performing research and development of advanced materials) since 1969. Also, Chairman of Delaware Dynamics LLC (a manufacturer of large, complex high-pressure dies for the automotive industry) since 2010. Director since 1979 of Invacare Corporation (manufacturer and distributor of home and long-term care medical products) and, for the period from 1989 until its sale in 2010, director of Hawk Corporation (supplier of friction materials and motorsports components). Mr. Moore brings to the Board his business acumen and operations experience demonstrated over years of managing numerous manufacturing companies. He is a recognized and successful entrepreneur. From this experience, as well as his service on the boards of other publicly-traded corporations, Mr. Moore offers the Board a comprehensive perspective for developing corporate strategies and managing risks of a major publicly-traded corporation.

 

 (a) Member, Executive Committee

 

 (b) Member, Audit Committee

 

 (c) Member, Compensation Committee

 

 (d) Member, Long-Range Planning Committee

 

 (e) Member, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

 

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PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS

The following table sets forth certain information with respect to beneficial ownership of our Common Stock by: (i) each person (or group of affiliated persons) known to us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent of our outstanding Common Stock; (ii) each director or director nominee; (iii) each executive officer named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 42 of this proxy statement individually; and (iv) all directors and executive officers as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the information is as of March 31, 2015, and the nature of beneficial ownership consists of sole voting and investment power.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Shares of
Common Stock
Currently Owned
    Shares Acquirable
Within 60 Days(1)
    Percent
of Class (%)
 

Patrick V. Auletta

     14,850        7,465 (e)      *   

Edward F. Crawford

     1,570,272 (a)(c)      25,000        12.7   

Matthew V. Crawford

     1,861,472 (b)(c)      25,000        15.1   

W. Scott Emerick

     35,079        0        *   

Patrick W. Fogarty

     46,436 (d)      25,000        *   

Kevin R. Greene

     15,150        0        *   

A. Malachi Mixon III

     15,700        0        *   

Dan T. Moore III

     49,050        0        *   

Ronna Romney

     22,850        0        *   

Steven H. Rosen

     10,150        0        *   

Robert D. Vilsack

     64,053        25,000        *   

James W. Wert

     104,950        0        *   

GAMCO Investors, Inc.

     1,444,601 (f)             11.6   

Directors and executive officers as a group (12 persons)

     3,717,911        107,465        30.4   

 

* Less than one percent.

 

(1) Other than with respect to Mr. Auletta, reflects the number of shares that could be purchased by exercise of options vested at March 31, 2015.

 

(a) The total includes 1,426,330 shares over which Mr. Edward Crawford has sole voting and investment power, 22,500 shares owned by L’Accent de Provence of which Mr. Edward Crawford is President and owner of 25% of its capital stock and over which Mr. Edward Crawford shares voting and investment power and 9,500 shares owned by Mr. Edward Crawford’s wife as to which Mr. Edward Crawford disclaims beneficial ownership. The total includes 19,841 shares held under the Individual Account Retirement Plan of Park-Ohio Industries, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014.

 

(b) Total includes 1,469,371 shares over which Mr. Matthew Crawford has sole voting and investment power and 300,000 shares as to which Mr. Matthew Crawford disclaims beneficial ownership.

 

(c) Total includes an aggregate of 92,101 shares over which Messrs. Edward Crawford and Matthew Crawford have shared voting power and investment power, consisting of: 39,000 shares held by a charitable foundation; 11,700 shares owned by Crawford Capital Company; and 41,401 shares owned by First Francis Company, Inc. These 92,101 shares are included in the beneficial ownership amounts reported for both Mr. Edward Crawford and Mr. Matthew Crawford.

 

(d) Total includes 816 shares held under the Individual Account Retirement Plan of Park-Ohio Industries, Inc. and its Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2014.

 

(e) Represents restricted share units that represent the right to receive 7,465 shares of our Common Stock upon Separation of Service (as defined in the Director DC Plan, described below).

 

(f) Based on information set forth on Amendment No. 24 to Schedule 13D as filed with the SEC on October 28, 2014. Total includes 882,301 shares held by GAMCO Asset Management Inc., 414,000 shares held by Gabelli Funds, LLC, 147,000 shares held by Teton Advisors, Inc. and 1,300 shares held by Mario J. Gabelli, as of October 27, 2014. GGCP, Inc. is the ultimate parent holding company for the above-listed companies, and Mr. Mario J. Gabelli is the majority stockholder, chief executive officer and a director of GGCP, Inc. Each of the foregoing has the sole power to vote or direct the vote and sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of their respective reported shares. The foregoing companies provide securities and investment related services and have their principal business office at One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580.

 

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Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, requires our officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than ten percent of our Common Stock, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of such securities with the SEC. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent beneficial owners are required by applicable regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.

Based upon our review of the copies of Section 16(a) forms received by us, and upon written representations from reporting persons concerning the necessity of filing a Form 5, we believe that, during 2014, all filing requirements applicable for reporting persons were met, with the exception of Mr. Patrick V. Auletta who filed (i) a Form 4 on June 20, 2014 reporting the award of 16 restricted stock units converted from the payment of a quarterly dividend on June 4, 2014 and (ii) a Form 5 on February 4, 2015 reporting a gift of 600 shares on April 12, 2013.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Director Independence

The Board believes that there should be a substantial majority of independent directors on the Board. The Board also believes that it is useful and appropriate to have members of management, including the Chief Executive Officer, or CEO, and President, as directors. The current Board members include seven independent directors (including two of the nominees).

Each of Messrs. Auletta, Greene, Mixon, Moore, Rosen and Wert and Ms. Romney is “independent” in accordance with the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market. The Nasdaq Stock Market’s independence definition includes a series of objective tests, including that the director is not our employee and has not engaged in various types of business dealings with us. In addition, as further required by the Nasdaq Stock Market’s rules, the Board has made a subjective determination as to each independent director that no relationships exist that, in the opinion of the Board, would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. In making these determinations, the Board reviewed and discussed information provided by the directors and the Company with regard to each director’s business and personal activities as they may relate to the Company and management.

In addition, as required by the Nasdaq Stock Market’s rules, the members of the Audit Committee are each “independent” under special standards established by the SEC for members of audit committees. The Board has determined that the Audit Committee includes at least one independent member whom the Board has determined meets the qualifications of an “audit committee financial expert” in accordance with SEC rules. Mr. Auletta is the independent director who has been determined to be an audit committee financial expert. Shareholders should understand that this designation is a disclosure requirement of the SEC related to Mr. Auletta’s experience and understanding with respect to certain accounting and auditing matters. The designation does not impose upon Mr. Auletta any duties, obligations or liability that are greater than are generally imposed on him as a member of the Audit Committee and the Board, and his designation as an audit committee financial expert pursuant to this SEC requirement does not affect the duties, obligations or liability of any other member of the Audit Committee or the Board.

Risk Oversight

The Board is responsible for overseeing the Company’s risk, with reviews of certain areas being conducted by the relevant committees of the Board and directly through senior management reports.

The Audit Committee oversees our risk policies and processes relating to the financial statements and financial reporting processes, as well as internal controls and compliance, and the guidelines, policies and

 

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processes for monitoring and mitigating those risks. The Compensation Committee assesses and monitors risks relating to our executive compensation policies and practices. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks related to our governance structure and processes, the independence of the Board and potential conflicts of interest and ensuring compliance with the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks.

In addition, the Board’s role in our risk oversight process includes receiving regular reports either directly from presentations to the Board by senior or regional management or through executive officers at Board meetings on areas of material risk to us, including market-specific, operational, legal, regulatory, competitive and strategic risks.

The procedures described above permit the Board to maintain an awareness of material risks that may affect us and ensure the ability of the Board to take any and all appropriate actions to oversee risks we face. We also believe that our Board leadership structure complements our risk management structure, as it allows our independent directors, through the independent committees, to exercise effective oversight of the actions of management in identifying risks and implementing effective risk management policies and controls.

Leadership Structure

Our CEO, Mr. Edward Crawford, also serves as our Chairman. The Company has no fixed policy on whether the roles of Chairman and CEO should be separate or combined; this decision is based on the best interests of the Company considering the circumstances at the time. The Board believes that the combined role of Chairman and CEO promotes strategic development and execution of our business strategies, which is essential to effective governance. The Board recognizes that utilizing the expertise of Mr. Edward Crawford contributes to the success of the Company. The diversity of our operating units requires a leader who possesses detailed and in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and challenges facing those diverse businesses. At this time, the Board believes that Mr. Edward Crawford, based upon his experience in the various industries in which we are positioned, is best qualified to efficiently develop agendas that ensure that the Board’s time and attention are focused on the most critical matters and to execute strategic plans effectively. However, we balance the current combined role of Chairman and CEO by the appointment of a Lead Director.

Lead Director

In November 2014, the Board appointed Mr. Wert as the Lead Director. The Lead Director serves as a liaison between our Chairman and our independent directors, presides over executive sessions of the independent directors, makes recommendations to the Chairman regarding the timing and structure of Board meetings, reviews and recommends agendas for the Board meetings and consults with the Chairman on the adequacy of the flow of information from management to the Board. We believe that this leadership structure results in increased engagement of the Board as a whole, and provides strong, independent oversight of our management and affairs resulting in good governance.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. All directors, officers and employees must act ethically at all times and in accordance with the policies comprising our Code. A copy of the Code is available, without charge, upon written request to: Secretary, Park-Ohio Holdings Corp., 6065 Parkland Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44124 and is also available on our website at www.pkoh.com. We intend to disclose any amendment to, or waiver from, the Code by posting such amendment or waiver, as applicable, on our website.

 

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Board of Directors and Committees

Board Meetings

The Board held seven meetings in 2014. All directors are expected to attend each meeting of the Board and the committees on which he or she serves. In 2014, no director attended less than 75% of the aggregate meetings of the Board and the committees on which he or she served. Directors are expected to attend the Annual Meeting, and all directors, except for Mr. Greene, attended the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders.

Board Committees

The Board currently has, and appoints the members of, Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Corporate Governance, Executive and Long-Range Planning Committees. Each member of the Audit, Compensation and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees is an independent director as defined under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Auletta, Greene and Wert, with Mr. Auletta as its chair. The Audit Committee assists the Board in its general oversight of our financial reporting, internal controls and audit functions, and is directly responsible for the retention, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent auditors. In 2014, the Audit Committee held seven meetings. The Audit Committee has a written charter approved by the Board. The responsibilities and activities of the Audit Committee are described in greater detail in the Audit Committee Charter, which is available on our website at www.pkoh.com.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Moore and Rosen and Ms. Romney, with Ms. Romney as its chair. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves salaries, performance-based incentives and other matters relating to executive compensation, including reviewing and granting equity awards to executive officers. As described in greater detail below under “Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” the Compensation Committee determines the compensation of our executive officers, including our CEO, and directors. With respect to executive officers other than the CEO, the Compensation Committee takes into account the recommendations of the CEO when determining the various elements of their compensation, including the amount and form of such compensation. The Compensation Committee has the sole authority to retain and terminate compensation consultants to assist in the evaluation of executive compensation and the sole authority to approve the fees and other retention terms of any such consultants. The Compensation Committee may delegate all or a portion of its duties and responsibilities to a subcommittee.

The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves various other compensation policies and matters. The Compensation Committee held two meetings in 2014 and also acted by written consent. The Compensation Committee has a written charter approved by the Board. The responsibilities and activities of the Compensation Committee are described in greater detail in the Compensation Committee Charter, which is available on our website at www.pkoh.com.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee was reconstituted in 2014 and consists of Messrs. Moore, Rosen and Wert, with Mr. Wert as its chair. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee establishes procedures for the director nomination process, recommends candidates for election to the Board and also nominates officers for election by the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee makes recommendations to the Board regarding the size and composition of the Board. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing with the Board from time to time the appropriate skills and characteristics required of Board members in the context of the current size and make-up of the Board. This assessment includes issues of diversity in numerous factors such as: age; understanding of

 

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and achievements in manufacturing, technology, finance and marketing; and international experience and culture. These factors, and any other qualifications considered useful by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, are reviewed in the context of an assessment of the perceived needs of the Board at a particular point in time. As a result, the priorities and emphasis of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and of the Board may change from time to time to take into account changes in business and other trends and the portfolio of skills and experience of current and prospective Board members. Therefore, while focused on the achievement and the ability of potential candidates to make a positive contribution with respect to such factors, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not established any specific minimum criteria or qualifications that a nominee must possess. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee establishes procedures for the nominating process, recommends candidates for election to the Board and also nominates officers for election by the Board.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider candidates proposed by shareholders, and evaluates candidates proposed by shareholders using the same criteria as for other candidates. Any shareholder nominations proposed for consideration by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee should include (1) complete information as to the identity and qualifications of the proposed nominee, including name, address, present and prior business and/or professional affiliations, education and experience and particular fields of expertise, (2) an indication of the nominee’s consent to serve as a director if elected and (3) the reasons why, in the opinion of the recommending shareholder, the proposed nominee is qualified and suited to be a director, and should be addressed to our Secretary at 6065 Parkland Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44124.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has a written charter approved by the Board. The responsibilities and activities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are described in greater detail in the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter, which is available on our website at www.pkoh.com.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of Messrs. Auletta, Edward Crawford and Wert, with Mr. Wert as its chair. The Executive Committee may exercise the authority of the Board between Board meetings, except to the extent that the Board has delegated authority to another committee or to other persons and except as limited by Ohio law and our Regulations. The Executive Committee held one meeting in 2014 and also acted by written consents.

Long-Range Planning Committee

The Long-Range Planning Committee consists of Messrs. Edward Crawford, Matthew Crawford, Mixon and Wert, with Mr. Mixon as its chair. The Long-Range Planning Committee explores long-term strategic opportunities available to the Company, internal and external growth development, the Company’s capital structure and other duties delegated to it by the Board. The Long-Range Planning Committee held no meetings in 2014.

Shareholder Communications

The Board believes that it is important for shareholders to have a process to send communications to the Board. Accordingly, shareholders who wish to communicate with the Board or a particular director may do so by sending a letter to our Secretary at 6065 Parkland Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44124. The mailing envelope must contain a clear notation indicating that the enclosed letter is a “Shareholder-Board Communication” or “Shareholder-Director Communication.” All such letters must identify the author as a shareholder and clearly state whether the intended recipients are all members of the Board or certain specified individual directors. The Secretary will make copies of all such letters deemed to be appropriate and circulate them to the appropriate director or directors.

 

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Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

Members of the Compensation Committee during 2014 were Messrs. Moore and Rosen and Ms. Romney. No current or former officer or employee of ours served on the Compensation Committee, or on the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our Board or Compensation Committee, during 2014. None of the Members of the Compensation Committee during 2014 had any relationship with us that would be required to be disclosed by us under applicable related party requirements. 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, the executive officer of which served on our Board or on our Compensation Committee during 2014.

 

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COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

We compensate non-employee directors for serving on our Board and reimburse them for expenses incurred in connection with Board and committee meetings. During 2014, each non-employee director earned, as an annual retainer, $40,000 and was granted 1,250 restricted shares. The restricted shares were granted in accordance with our Amended and Restated 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan, which we refer to as the 1998 Plan. The non-employee directors also received $4,000 for each Board meeting attended in-person and $1,000 for each Board meeting attended telephonically, and $1,000 for each committee meeting attended in-person or telephonically. The Compensation, Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance and Long-Range Planning Committee Chairpersons each received an additional $10,000 committee chair annual retainer.

 

Name

   Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash
($)
    Stock
Awards
($)(1)
     Total
($)
 

Patrick V. Auletta

     160,500 (2)      71,900         232,400   

Kevin R. Greene

     117,000 (2)      71,900         188,900   

A. Malachi Mixon III

     75,000        71,900         146,900   

Dan T. Moore III

     67,000        71,900         138,900   

Ronna Romney

     128,000 (2)      71,900         199,900   

Steven H. Rosen

     67,000        71,900         138,900   

James W. Wert

     87,000        71,900         158,900   

 

(1) The amounts in this column represent the grant date fair value for awards of restricted shares in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or ASC 718. The restricted shares vest one year from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2014, each director in the table held 1,250 shares subject to restriction.

 

(2) The amounts in this column include $82,500, $55,000 and $55,000 paid to Messrs. Auletta (as Chairman) and Greene and Ms. Romney, respectively, for serving on an ad hoc special committee of our Board.

In 2009, we established a 2009 Director Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan, or Director DC Plan, which is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for our directors. Under the Director DC Plan, eligible directors can defer up to 100% of their cash retainer, attendance fees, and/or restricted share units for pre-tax savings opportunities. The investment options available to the eligible directors are the same investment options offered under our 401(k) Plan. Eligible directors’ contributions and earnings are always 100% vested. Distributions under the Director DC Plan may be made only upon a Separation of Service (as defined in the Director DC Plan). Distributions are paid in a lump sum or in annual installments over a maximum of 10 years. We do not pay above-market interest rates or provide preferential earnings.

 

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AUDIT COMMITTEE

Audit Committee Report

The Audit Committee oversees our accounting and financial reporting processes and the audits of financial statements. The Audit Committee selects our independent auditors. The Audit Committee is composed of three directors, each of whom is independent as defined under the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market and SEC rules. Currently, the Audit Committee is composed of Messrs. Auletta, Greene and Wert. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board.

Management is responsible for our internal controls and financial reporting process. The independent auditors are responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States and to issue a report thereon. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.

In connection with these responsibilities, the Audit Committee met with management and Ernst & Young LLP to review and discuss the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2014. The Audit Committee discussed with Ernst & Young LLP its judgments as to the quality, not just the acceptability, of our accounting principles and such other matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 16, Communication with Audit Committees, as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB). In addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP their independence from our Company management and our Company, including the matters in the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst & Young LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Ernst & Young LLP’s communication with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and considered the compatibility of non-audit services with Ernst & Young LLP’s independence.

The Audit Committee meets with the internal and independent auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the overall scope and plans for their respective audits, the results of audit examinations, their evaluations of our internal controls and the overall quality of our financial reporting.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014.

Patrick V. Auletta, Chair

Kevin R. Greene

James W. Wert

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 2

RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors to examine our financial statements and those of our subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2015. During fiscal year 2014, Ernst & Young LLP examined our financial statements and those of our subsidiaries, including those set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014. The Board recommends ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP.

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

Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board

Although shareholder approval of this appointment is not required by law or binding on the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee believes that shareholders should be given the opportunity to express their views. If the shareholders do not ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent auditors, the Audit Committee will consider this vote in determining whether or not to continue the engagement of Ernst & Young LLP. Abstentions will have no effect on the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP.

YOUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THIS APPOINTMENT.

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR FEE INFORMATION

The following table presents fees for services rendered by Ernst & Young LLP in each of the last two fiscal years:

 

     2013      2014  

Audit Fees

   $ 1,122,000       $ 1,246,000   

Audit-Related Fees

     75,000         75,000   

Tax Fees

     183,430         312,400   

All Other Fees

               
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 1,380,430       $ 1,633,400   

Audit fees included fees associated with the annual audit, the reviews of quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, statutory audits required internationally and the audit of management’s assessment of internal control over financial reporting under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Audit-related fees principally included fees in connection with pension plan audits and accounting consultations. Tax fees included fees in connection with tax compliance and tax planning services.

Pre-approval Policy

The Audit Committee has adopted a formal policy on auditor independence requiring the approval by the Audit Committee of all professional services rendered by our independent auditor prior to the commencement of the specified services.

All of the services described in “Audit Fees”, “Audit-Related Fees” and “Tax Fees” were pre-approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the Audit Committee’s formal policy on auditor independence.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 3

APPROVAL OF THE

PARK-OHIO HOLDINGS CORP.

2015 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

General

We are asking shareholders to approve the Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan, which we refer to as the 2015 Plan. On March 12, 2015, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, our Board of Directors approved and adopted, subject to the approval of our shareholders at the Annual Meeting, the 2015 Plan to replace our Amended and Restated 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as Amended and Restated as of May 24, 2012), or the 1998 Plan. The 1998 Plan was originally approved by our shareholders at the May 28, 1998 annual meeting of shareholders. Revisions to the 1998 Plan were approved by our shareholders at each of the May 24, 2001, May 25, 2006, May 28, 2009, and May 24, 2012 annual meetings of shareholders.

The 2015 Plan replaces in its entirety the 1998 Plan. If the 2015 Plan is approved by our shareholders, no further awards will be made under the 1998 Plan, but, as described below, shares that remain available for awards under the 1998 Plan will be added to the aggregate share limit under the 2015 Plan. The 2015 Plan continues to afford the Compensation Committee the ability to design compensatory awards that provide opportunities for our employees and directors and the employees of our subsidiaries to participate, through share ownership, in our long-term success and growth. This participation enhances our ability to attract and retain persons with desired abilities, provides additional incentives for such persons and furthers the common interests of our employees and shareholders.

If the 2015 Plan is approved by our shareholders, it will become effective on the day of the Annual Meeting. Outstanding awards under the 1998 Plan will continue in effect in accordance with their terms. If the 2015 Plan is not approved by our shareholders, no awards will be made under the 2015 Plan. In addition, our ability under the 1998 Plan to make certain performance awards to certain participants may be limited.

Our principal reason for adopting the 2015 Plan is to obtain shareholder approval of the shares of our Common Stock, which we refer to as Common Shares, authorized for issuance under the 2015 Plan. Shareholder approval of the 2015 Plan is also intended to constitute approval of the material terms for “qualified performance-based compensation” under the 2015 Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the Code. Section 162(m) of the Code disallows a deduction for certain compensation paid to our CEO and to each of our other three most highly compensated executive officers, other than our CEO, in a taxable year to the extent that compensation to a covered employee exceeds $1 million for such year. However, some types of compensation, including “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, are not subject to the deduction limit if the compensation satisfies the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code. The deduction limit does not apply to compensation paid under a shareholder approved plan that meets certain requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. While we believe it is in the best interests of us and our shareholders to have the ability to potentially grant “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code under the 2015 Plan, we may decide to grant compensation to covered employees that will not qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Moreover, even if we intend to grant compensation that qualifies as “qualified performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code under the 2015 Plan, we cannot guarantee that such compensation will so qualify or ultimately will be deductible by us.

Generally, compensation attributable to stock options, appreciation rights and other performance-based awards may be deemed to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code if: (1) the grant is made by a committee of outside directors for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code;

 

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(2) the plan under which the award is granted states the maximum number of shares with respect to which share-based awards may be granted, and the maximum amount of cash awards that may be granted to any individual during a specified period of time; and (3) the amount of compensation an individual may receive under the awards is based solely on the achievement of one or more pre-established performance goals which incorporate business criteria approved by shareholders (or, in the case of stock options or appreciation rights, the increase in the value of the shares after the date of grant). Shareholder approval of this Proposal No. 3 is intended to satisfy the shareholder approval requirements under Section 162(m) of the Code.

We are seeking shareholder approval of the material terms for “qualified performance-based compensation” under the 2015 Plan, including the performance measures and applicable individual grant limits under the 2015 Plan, as well as the individuals eligible to receive awards under the 2015 Plan, to have the flexibility to potentially grant awards under the 2015 Plan that may be fully deductible for federal income tax purposes. If our shareholders approve the material terms for “qualified performance-based compensation” under the 2015 Plan, assuming that all other Section 162(m) requirements are met, we may be able to obtain tax deductions with respect to awards issued under the 2015 Plan to our Section 162(m) executive officers without regard to the limitations of Section 162(m) through the 2020 annual meeting of shareholders (in other words, for five years).

The full text of the 2015 Plan is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix A. The following description of the 2015 Plan is only a summary of its principal terms and provisions and is qualified by reference to the actual text as set forth in Appendix A.

Why We Recommend That You Vote for Proposal No. 3

The 2015 Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to provide equity-based and incentive compensation in the form of stock options, appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, cash incentive awards, performance shares, performance units, dividend equivalents and certain other awards denominated or payable in, or otherwise based on our Common Shares or factors that may influence the value of our shares for the purpose of providing our employees and directors, and the employees of our subsidiaries, and certain non-employees who perform employee functions, incentives and rewards for performance. Some of the key features of the 2015 Plan that reflect our commitment to effective management of equity and incentive compensation are set forth below in this subsection.

We believe our future success depends in part on our ability to attract, motivate and retain high quality employees and directors and that the ability to provide equity-based and incentive-based awards under the 2015 Plan is critical to achieving this success. We would be at a severe competitive disadvantage if we could not use share-based awards to recruit and compensate our employees and directors.

The use of our Common Shares as part of our compensation program is also important to our continued success because we believe it fosters a pay-for-performance culture that is an important element of our overall compensation philosophy. We believe that equity compensation motivates employees and directors to create shareholder value because the value employees and directors realize from equity compensation is based on our stock price performance. Equity compensation also aligns the compensation interests of our employees and directors with the investment interests of our shareholders and promotes a focus on long-term value creation because our equity compensation awards can be subject to vesting and/or performance criteria.

As of March 31, 2015, 106,806 Common Shares remained available for issuance under the 1998 Plan. If the 2015 Plan is not approved, we may be compelled to increase significantly the cash component of our employee and director compensation, which may not necessarily align employee and director compensation interests with the investment interests of our shareholders as well as alignment provided by equity-based awards. Replacing equity awards with cash also would increase cash compensation expenses and use cash that could be better utilized if reinvested in our businesses or returned to our shareholders. If the 2015 Plan is approved by our shareholders, no further awards will be made under the 1998 Plan, but, as described in this proposal, shares that remain available for awards under the 1998 Plan will be added to the aggregate share limit under the 2015 Plan.

 

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The following includes aggregated information regarding the overhang and dilution associated with the 1998 Plan and the potential shareholder dilution that would result if our proposed share increase under the 2015 Plan is approved. The information is as of March 31, 2015. As of that date, there were approximately 12,495,573 Common Shares outstanding.

Under the 1998 Plan:

 

   

Outstanding full-value awards (unvested restricted share awards): 344,932 Common Shares (2.8 percent of our outstanding Common Shares);

 

   

Outstanding stock options: 143,500 Common Shares (1.1 percent of our outstanding Common Shares) (outstanding stock options have an average exercise price of $16.76 and an average remaining term of 1.7 years);

 

   

Total Common Shares subject to outstanding awards as described above (full-value awards and stock options): 488,432 Common Shares (3.9 percent of our outstanding Common Shares);

 

   

Total Common Shares available for future awards under the 1998 Plan: 106,806 Common Shares (.85 percent of our outstanding Common Shares); and

 

   

The total number of Common Shares subject to outstanding awards (488,432 shares), plus the total number of Common Shares available for future awards under the 1998 Plan (106,806 shares), represents a current overhang percentage of 4.8 percent (in other words, the maximum potential straight dilution of our shareholders represented by the 1998 Plan).

Under the 2015 Plan:

Proposed Common Shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan: 650,000 Common Shares, (5.2 percent of our outstanding Common Shares — this percentage reflects the simple dilution of our shareholders that would occur if the 2015 Plan is approved).

Total potential overhang or dilution under the 1998 Plan and proposed 2015 Plan:

The total Common Shares subject to outstanding awards as of March 31, 2015 (488,432), plus the total number of Common Shares available for future awards under the 1998 Plan as of March 31, 2015 (106,806), plus the proposed Common Shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan (650,000), represent a total fully-diluted overhang of 1,245,238 shares (10 percent) under the 2015 Plan.

Based on the closing price on the Nasdaq Stock Market for our Common Shares on March 31, 2015 of $52.67 per share, the aggregate market value as of March 31, 2015 of the 650,000 Common Shares requested for issuance under the 2015 Plan was $34,235,500.

In 2012, 2013 and 2014, we granted awards under the 1998 Plan covering 289,606 Common Shares, 226,050 Common Shares and 151,799 Common Shares, respectively. Based on our basic weighted average Common Shares outstanding for those three years of 12,236,990, 12,429,280, and 12,499,129, respectively, for the three-year period 2012-2014, our average burn rate, not taking into account forfeitures, was 1.8% (our individual years’ burn rates were 2.4% for 2012, 1.8% for 2013 and 1.2% for 2014).

In determining the number of shares to request for approval under the 2015 Plan, our management team worked with Pearl Meyer & Partners, which we refer to as PM&P, the Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant, and the Compensation Committee to evaluate a number of factors including our recent share usage and criteria expected to be utilized by institutional proxy advisory firms in evaluating our proposal for the 2015 Plan.

 

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If the 2015 Plan is approved, we intend to utilize the shares authorized under the 2015 Plan to continue our practice of incentivizing key individuals through annual equity grants. We will no longer utilize any shares remaining under the 1998 Plan, but such shares will be added to the aggregate share limit under the 2015 Plan. We currently anticipate that the shares requested in connection with the approval of the 2015 Plan, combined with the shares left under the 1998 Plan for use under the 2015 Plan, will last for about four years, based on our historic grant rates and the approximate current share price, but could last for a shorter period of time if actual practice does not match historic rates or our share price changes materially. As noted in “Summary of Material Terms of the 2015 Plan,” our Compensation Committee would retain full discretion under the 2015 Plan to determine the number and amount of awards to be granted under the 2015 Plan, subject to the terms of the 2015 Plan, and future benefits that may be received by participants under the 2015 Plan are not determinable at this time.

We believe that we have demonstrated a commitment to sound equity compensation practices in recent years. We recognize that equity compensation awards dilute shareholder equity, so we have carefully managed our equity incentive compensation. Our equity compensation practices are intended to be competitive and consistent with market practices, and we believe our historical share usage has been responsible and mindful of shareholder interests, as described above.

In evaluating this Proposal No. 3, shareholders should consider all of the information in this Proposal No. 3.

2015 Plan Highlights

Administration. The 2015 Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee.

Reasonable 2015 Plan Limits. Subject to adjustment as described in the 2015 Plan, total awards under the 2015 Plan are limited to 650,000 Common Shares, plus, as of the effective date of the 2015 Plan, the number of Common Shares available for new awards under the 1998 Plan on such effective date, plus any Common Shares recycled into the 2015 Plan as described below. These Common Shares may be shares of original issuance or treasury shares or a combination of the foregoing. If approved by our shareholders, the 2015 Plan will become effective and no further awards will be made under the 1998 Plan.

The 2015 Plan also provides that, subject to adjustment as described in the 2015 Plan:

 

   

the aggregate number of Common Shares actually issued or transferred upon the exercise of incentive stock options, or ISOs, will not exceed 650,000 Common Shares;

 

   

no participant will be granted stock options and/or appreciation rights, in the aggregate, for more than 200,000 Common Shares during any calendar year;

 

   

no participant will be granted awards of restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares and/or other stock-based awards that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, in the aggregate, for more than 200,000 Common Shares during any calendar year;

 

   

no participant in any calendar year will receive an award of performance units and/or other awards payable in cash that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, other than cash incentive awards, having an aggregate maximum value as of their respective grant dates in excess of $7,000,000;

 

   

no participant in any calendar year will receive a cash incentive award that is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code having an aggregate maximum value in excess of $7,000,000;

 

   

no non-employee director will be granted, in any period of one calendar year, awards under the 2015 Plan in excess of 50,000 Common Shares; and

 

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awards that do not comply with the applicable minimum vesting periods provided for in the 2015 Plan (as further described below) will not result in the issuance or transfer of more than 5% of the maximum number of Common Shares available under the 2015 Plan.

Allowances for Conversion Awards and Assumed Plans. Common Shares issued or transferred under awards granted under the 2015 Plan in substitution for or conversion of, or in connection with an assumption of, stock options, appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units or other stock or stock-based awards held by awardees of an entity engaging in a corporate acquisition or merger transaction with us or any of our subsidiaries will not count against (or be added back to) the aggregate share limit or other 2015 Plan limits described above. Additionally, shares available under certain plans that we or our subsidiaries may assume in connection with corporate transactions from another entity may be available for certain awards under the 2015 Plan, under circumstances further described in the 2015 Plan, but will not count against the aggregate share limit or other 2015 Plan limits described above.

Limited Share Recycling Provisions. Subject to the 2015 Plan’s share counting rules, Common Shares covered by an award granted under the 2015 Plan will not be counted as used unless and until they are actually issued and delivered to a participant. If any Common Shares issued or transferred pursuant to an award granted under the 2015 Plan are forfeited, or an award granted under the 2015 Plan is cancelled or forfeited, expires or is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Common Shares issued or transferred pursuant to, or subject to, such award (as applicable) will, to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture, expiration, or cash settlement, again be available for issuance or transfer as described in the 2015 Plan. If, on or after the effective date of the 2015 Plan, any Common Shares subject to an award granted under the 1998 Plan are forfeited, or an award granted under the 1998 Plan is cancelled or forfeited, expires or is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Common Shares subject to such award will, to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture, expiration, or cash settlement, be available for issuance or transfer under the 2015 Plan. The following Common Shares will not be added back to the aggregate share limit under the 2015 Plan: (1) shares tendered or otherwise used in payment of an option’s exercise price; (2) shares withheld or otherwise used by us to satisfy tax withholding obligations; (3) shares subject to an appreciation right that are not actually issued in connection with its share settlement on exercise; and (4) shares that are repurchased by us with stock option proceeds. If a participant elects to give up the right to receive compensation in exchange for Common Shares based on fair market value, such shares will not count against the aggregate share limit under the 2015 Plan.

No Repricing Without Shareholder Approval. The repricing of options and appreciation rights (outside of certain corporate transactions or adjustment events described in the 2015 Plan) is prohibited without shareholder approval under the 2015 Plan.

Change in Control Definition. The 2015 Plan includes a definition of “change in control,” which is set forth below.

Other Features.

 

   

The 2015 Plan also provides that, except with respect to converted, assumed or substituted awards as described in the 2015 Plan, no stock options or appreciation rights will be granted with an exercise or base price less than the fair market value of our Common Shares on the date of grant; and

 

   

The 2015 Plan is designed to allow awards made under the 2015 Plan to potentially qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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Section 162(m)

As discussed above, one reason for submitting this Proposal No. 3 to shareholders is to obtain shareholder approval of the material terms for “qualified performance-based compensation” under the 2015 Plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code. Such shareholder approval is expected to enable us to structure certain awards so that they may be able to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

In particular, the 2015 Plan includes a list of performance measures upon which the Compensation Committee must condition a grant or vesting of a “qualified performance-based award” pursuant to the 2015 Plan, which measures are as follows (including relative or growth achievement regarding such metrics):

 

   

Profits (e.g., operating income, EBIT, EBT, net income, earnings per share, residual or economic earnings, retained earnings, economic profit — these profitability metrics could be measured before certain specified special items and/or subject to GAAP definition);

 

   

Cash Flow (e.g., EBITDA, free cash flow, free cash flow with or without specific capital expenditure target or range, including or excluding divestments and/or acquisitions, expenses, total cash flow, cash flow in excess of cost of capital or residual cash flow or cash flow return on investment);

 

   

Returns (e.g., profits or cash flow returns on: assets, investments, net capital employed, and equity);

 

   

Working Capital (e.g., working capital divided by sales, days’ sales outstanding, days’ sales inventory, and days’ sales in payables);

 

   

Profit Margins (e.g., profits divided by revenues, gross margins and material margins divided by revenues, and material margin divided by sales pounds, operating profit and margin);

 

   

Liquidity Measures (e.g., debt-to-capital, debt-to-EBITDA, total debt ratio);

 

   

Sales Growth, Gross Margin Growth, Cost Initiative and Stock Price Metrics (e.g., revenues, revenue growth, revenue growth outside the United States, asset turnover, gross margin and gross margin growth, material margin and material margin growth, stock price appreciation, capitalization, market share, total return to shareholders, sales to targeted customers, sales and administrative costs divided by sales, and sales and administrative costs divided by profits); and

 

   

Strategic Initiative Key Deliverable Metrics consisting of one or more of the following: product development, strategic partnering, quality measures, productivity, safety measures, educational and technical skills of employees, research and development, vitality index, market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, management of employment practices and employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures.

In addition to the performance measures, the 2015 Plan also includes individual grant limits for equity or incentive awards that can be granted pursuant to the 2015 Plan, as further described below under the heading “Summary of Material Terms of the 2015 Equity Plan”.

Summary of Material Terms of the 2015 Plan

Administration: The 2015 Plan will be administered by the Compensation Committee (or its successor), or any other committee of the Board of Directors designated by the Board of Directors to administer the 2015 Plan that consists solely of two or more directors who are (1) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, which we refer to as the Exchange Act, and (2) “outside directors” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. References to the “Committee” in this Proposal No. 3 refer to the Compensation Committee or such other committee designated by the Board of Directors, as applicable. The Committee may from time to time delegate all or any part of its authority under the 2015 Plan to any subcommittee thereof. Any interpretation, construction and determination by the Committee of any provision of

 

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the 2015 Plan, or of any agreement, notification or document evidencing the grant of awards under the 2015 Plan, will be final and conclusive. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers, or to one or more agents or advisors, such administrative duties or powers as it deems advisable. In addition, the Committee may by resolution, subject to certain restrictions set forth in the 2015 Plan, authorize one or more of our officers to (1) designate employees to be recipients of awards under the 2015 Plan, and (2) determine the size of such awards. However, the Committee may not delegate such responsibilities to officers for awards granted to certain employees who are subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or subject to Section 162(m) of the Code.

Eligibility: Any person who is selected by the Committee to receive benefits under the 2015 Plan and who is at that time an officer or other employee of us or any of our subsidiaries or a non-employee director is eligible to participate in the 2015 Plan. In addition, certain persons who provide services to us or any of our subsidiaries that are equivalent to those typically provided by an employee (provided that such persons satisfy the Form S-8 definition of “employee”) may also be selected to participate in the 2015 Plan. As of March 31, 2015, approximately 100 employees and seven directors are expected to participate in the 2015 Plan.

Shares Available for Awards under the 2015 Plan: Subject to adjustment as described in the 2015 Plan, the number of Common Shares that may be issued or transferred:

 

   

Upon the exercise of stock options or appreciation rights;

 

   

As restricted shares and released from substantial risks of forfeiture;

 

   

In payment of restricted stock units;

 

   

In payment of performance shares or performance units that have been earned;

 

   

As other stock-based awards under the 2015 Plan; or

 

   

In payment of dividend equivalents paid with respect to awards under the 2015 Plan;

may not in the aggregate exceed 650,000 Common Shares, plus, as of the effective date of the 2015 Plan, the number of Common Shares available for new awards under the 1998 Plan on such effective date, plus any Common Shares that become available under the 2015 Plan or 1998 Plan as a result of forfeiture, cancellation, expiration, or cash settlement of awards, which we refer to as Available Shares. The Available Shares may be Common Shares of original issuance, treasury shares or a combination of the foregoing.

Other Share Limits Under the 2015 Plan: The 2015 Plan also provides that, subject to adjustment as described in the 2015 Plan:

 

   

the aggregate number of Common Shares actually issued or transferred upon the exercise of ISOs will not exceed 650,000 Common Shares;

 

   

no participant will be granted stock options or appreciation rights, in the aggregate, for more than 200,000 Common Shares during any calendar year;

 

   

no participant will be granted awards of restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares or other stock-based awards that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, in the aggregate, for more than 200,000 Common Shares during any calendar year;

 

   

no participant in any calendar year will receive an award of performance units or other awards payable in cash that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code, other than cash incentive awards, having an aggregate maximum value in excess of $7,000,000;

 

   

no participant in any calendar year will receive a cash incentive award that is intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code having an aggregate maximum value in excess of $7,000,000; and

 

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no non-employee director will be granted, in any period of one calendar year, awards in excess of 50,000 Common Shares.

Notwithstanding any provision of the 2015 Plan, up to 5% of the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued or transferred under the 2015 Plan, as may be adjusted pursuant to the 2015 Plan, may be used for awards that do not comply with the applicable minimum vesting requirements for such awards.

Share Counting: Common Shares covered by an award granted under the 2015 Plan will not reduce the Available Shares unless and until they are actually issued or transferred. If any Common Shares issued or transferred under an award granted under the 2015 Plan are forfeited, or if an award granted under the 2015 Plan is cancelled or forfeited, expires or is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Common Shares issued or transferred under (or subject to) the award will, to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement, again be available for issuance or transfer under the 2015 Plan. If, on or after the effective date of the 2015 Plan, any Common Shares subject to an award granted under the 1998 Plan are forfeited, or an award granted under the 1998 Plan is cancelled or forfeited, expires or is settled in cash (in whole or in part), the Common Shares subject to such award will, to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture, expiration, or cash settlement, be available for issuance or transfer under the 2015 Equity Plan.

The 2015 Plan further provides that the following Common Shares will not be added to the aggregate number of Common Shares available for issuance or transfer under the 2015 Plan: (1) Common Shares tendered or otherwise used in payment of the exercise price of a stock option granted under the 2015 Plan (or the option price of a stock option granted under the 1998 Plan), (2) Common Shares withheld or otherwise used by us to satisfy a tax withholding obligation, (3) Common Shares subject to an appreciation right granted under the 2015 Plan (or an appreciation right granted under the 1998 Plan) that are not actually issued in connection with its Common Shares settlement on exercise, and (4) Common Shares reacquired by us on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options granted under the 2015 Plan (or stock options granted under the 1998 Plan). In addition, if under the 2015 Plan a participant has elected to give up the right to receive compensation in exchange for Common Shares based on fair market value, such Common Shares will not count against the aggregate share limit under the 2015 Plan.

Common Shares issued or transferred pursuant to awards granted under the 2015 Plan in substitution for or in conversion of, or in connection with the assumption of, awards held by awardees of an entity engaging in a corporate acquisition or merger with us or any of our subsidiaries will not count against the share limits under the 2015 Plan. Additionally, shares available under certain plans that we or our subsidiaries may assume in connection with corporate transactions from another entity may be available for certain awards under the 2015 Plan, but will not count against the share limits under the 2015 Plan.

Types of Awards Under the 2015 Plan: Pursuant to the 2015 Plan, we may grant stock options (including ISOs), appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, cash incentive awards, and certain other awards based on or related to our Common Shares.

Each grant of an award under the 2015 Plan will be evidenced by an award agreement or agreements, or an Evidence of Award, which will contain such terms and provisions as the Committee may determine, consistent with the 2015 Plan. A brief description of the types of awards which may be granted under the 2015 Plan is set forth below.

Stock Options: A stock option is a right to purchase Common Shares upon exercise of the stock option. Stock options granted to an employee under the 2015 Plan may consist of either an ISO, a non-qualified stock option that does not comply with the requirements for ISOs, or a combination of both. ISOs may only be granted to employees of us or certain of our related corporations. Except with respect to awards issued in substitution for, in conversion of, or in connection with an assumption of stock options held by awardees of an entity engaging in a corporate acquisition or merger with us or any of our subsidiaries, ISOs and non-qualified stock options must

 

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have an exercise price per share that is not less than the fair market value of a share of Common Shares on the date of grant. The term of a stock option may not extend more than ten years after the date of grant.

Each grant of stock options will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award which specifies the applicable terms and conditions of such award, including the number of Common Shares subject to the stock option and the applicable vesting and forfeiture provisions. However, no grant of stock options may become exercisable sooner than after one year. A grant of stock options may provide for the earlier exercise of the stock options, including in the event of retirement, death or disability of the participant or in the event of a change in control of us.

Any grant of stock options may specify management objectives that must be achieved as a condition to the exercise of the stock options. In addition, each grant will specify the form of consideration to be paid in satisfaction of the exercise price, which may include: (1) cash or check acceptable to us, or by wire transfer of immediately available funds; (2) the actual or constructive transfer to us of Common Shares owned by the participant (or certain other consideration permitted under the 2015 Plan) with a value at the time of exercise that is equal to the total exercise price; (3) subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Committee, by a net exercise arrangement pursuant to which we will withhold Common Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of a stock option; (4) by a combination of the foregoing methods; and (5) such other methods as may be approved by the Committee. To the extent permitted by law, any grant may provide for deferred payment of the exercise price from the proceeds of a sale through a bank or broker of some or all of the shares to which the exercise relates. Stock options granted under the 2015 Plan may not provide for dividends or dividend equivalents.

Appreciation Rights: The 2015 Plan provides for the grant of appreciation rights, which may be granted as either Tandem Appreciation Rights or Free-Standing Appreciation Rights. A Tandem Appreciation Right is an Appreciation Right that is granted in tandem with a stock option or similar right. A Free-Standing Appreciation Right is an appreciation right that is not granted in tandem with a stock option or similar right. An appreciation right is a right, exercisable by the surrender of a related stock option (if a Tandem Appreciation Right) or by itself (if a Free-Standing Appreciation Right), to receive from us an amount equal to 100%, or such lesser percentage as the Committee may determine, of the spread between the base price (or option exercise price if a Tandem Appreciation Right) and the value of our Common Shares on the date of exercise. Tandem Appreciation rights may be granted at any time prior to the exercise or termination of the related stock options, but a Tandem Appreciation Right awarded in relation to an ISO must be granted concurrently with such ISO.

Each grant of an appreciation right will be evidenced by Evidence of Award which specifies the applicable terms and conditions of such award, including any vesting and forfeiture provisions. However, no grant of appreciation rights may be exercisable sooner than after one year. A grant of appreciation rights may provide for earlier exercise, including in the case of retirement, death or disability of the participant or in the event of a change in control of us. Any grant of appreciation rights may specify management objectives that must be achieved as a condition of the exercise of such appreciation rights. An appreciation right may be paid in cash, Common Shares or any combination thereof. Except with respect to awards issued in substitution for, in conversion of, or in connection with an assumption of appreciation rights held by awardees of an entity engaging in a corporate acquisition or merger with us or any of our subsidiaries, the base price of an appreciation right may not be less than the fair market value of a share of Common Shares on the date of grant. The term of an appreciation right may not extend more than ten years from the date of grant.

Tandem Appreciation Rights may be exercised only at a time when the related stock options are also exercisable and the spread (the excess of the fair market value of a share of Common Shares over the exercise price) is positive, by surrender of the related stock option for cancellation. Appreciation rights granted under the 2015 Plan may not provide for dividends or dividend equivalents.

Restricted Shares: Restricted shares awarded under the 2015 Plan will consist of an award of Common Shares in consideration for the performance of services, which shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture

 

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for a period of time determined by the Committee or until certain management objectives specified by the Committee are achieved. Each such grant or sale of restricted shares may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by the participant that is less than the fair market value per share of Common Shares on the date of grant. If the elimination of the restrictions is based solely on the passage of time, the period of time will be no shorter than one year. Restricted shares constitute an immediate transfer of the ownership of Common Shares to the participant, entitling such participant to dividend, voting and other ownership rights, subject to the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer determined by the Committee.

Any grant of restricted shares may specify management objectives that, if achieved, will result in termination or early termination of the restrictions applicable to the restricted shares, but restrictions relating to restricted shares that vest upon the achievement of management objectives may not terminate sooner than after one year. Any grant of restricted shares may require that any or all dividends or distributions paid on restricted shares that remain subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture be automatically deferred and reinvested in additional restricted shares, which may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying restricted shares. However, dividends or other distributions on restricted shares with restrictions that lapse as a result of the achievement of management objectives will be deferred until and paid contingent upon the achievement of the applicable management objectives. Each grant of restricted shares will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award which specifies the applicable terms and conditions of such award, including any vesting and forfeiture provisions.

Any grant or sale of restricted shares may provide for the earlier termination of restrictions on such restricted shares, including in the event of retirement, death or disability of the participant or in the event of a change in control of us, except in the case of an award intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (other than in connection with the death or disability of the participant or a change in control of us) where such early termination would cause the award to fail to so qualify.

Restricted Stock Units: Restricted stock units awarded under the 2015 Plan constitute an agreement by us to deliver Common Shares, cash, or a combination thereof, to the participant in the future in consideration of the performance of services, but subject to the fulfillment of such conditions (which may include the achievement of management objectives) during the restriction period as the Committee may specify. Each grant or sale of restricted stock units may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by the participant that is less than the fair market value of our Common Shares on the date of grant. During the restriction period applicable to restricted stock units, the participant will have no right to transfer any rights under the award and will have no rights of ownership in the Common Shares underlying the restricted stock units and no right to vote them. Rights to dividend equivalents may be extended to and made part of any restricted stock unit award at the discretion of and on the terms determined by the Committee, on a current, deferred or contingent basis, either in cash or in additional Common Shares, but dividend equivalents or other distributions on Common Shares underlying the restricted stock units with restrictions that lapse as a result of the achievement of management objectives will be deferred until and paid contingent upon the achievement of the applicable management objectives. Each grant of a restricted stock unit award will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award which specifies the applicable terms and conditions of such award, including any vesting and forfeiture provisions. Each grant of restricted stock units will specify that the amount payable with respect to such restricted stock units will be paid in cash, Common Shares, or a combination of the two.

The restriction period applicable to any grant of restricted stock units may not terminate sooner than after one year. Any grant or sale of restricted stock units may provide for the earlier lapse or other modification of the restriction period, including in the event of retirement, death or disability of the participant or in the event of a change in control of us, except in the case of an award intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (other than in connection with the death or disability of the participant or a change in control of us) where such early lapse or modification would cause the award to fail to so qualify.

 

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Cash Incentive Awards, Performance Shares, and Performance Units: Performance shares, performance units and cash incentive awards may also be granted to participants under the 2015 Plan. Each grant will specify the number or amount of performance shares or performance units, or the amount payable with respect to cash incentive awards, which number or amount may be subject to adjustment to reflect changes in compensation or other factors. However, no such adjustment will be made in the case of an award intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (other than in connection with the death or disability of the participant or a change in control of us) where it would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption under Section 162(m) of the Code.

These awards, when granted under the 2015 Plan, become payable to participants upon of the achievement of specified management objectives and upon such terms and conditions as the Committee determines at the time of grant. Each grant may specify with respect to the management objectives a minimum acceptable level of achievement and may set forth a formula for determining the number of performance shares or performance units, or the amount payable with respect to cash incentive awards, that will be earned if performance is at or above the minimum or threshold level, or is at or above the target level but falls short of maximum achievement. Each grant will specify the time and manner of payment of cash incentive awards, performance shares or performance units that have been earned, and any grant may further specify that any such amount may be paid or settled by us in cash, Common Shares, restricted shares, restricted stock units or any combination thereof. Any grant of performance shares may provide for the payment of dividend equivalents in cash or in additional Common Shares, subject to deferral and payment on a contingent basis based on the participant’s earning of the performance shares with respect to which such dividend equivalents are paid. Each grant of performance shares, performance units or cash incentive awards will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award which specifies the applicable terms and conditions of such award, including any vesting and forfeiture provisions.

The performance period with respect to a cash incentive award, performance share, or performance unit will be a period of time (not less than one year) determined by the Committee on the grant date. The performance period may be subject to earlier lapse or modification, including in the event of retirement, death or disability of the participant or in the event of a change in control of us. However, no such adjustment will be made in the case of an award intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (other than in connection with the death or disability of the participant or a change in control of us) where it would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Other Awards: Subject to applicable law and the limits set forth in the 2015 Plan, the Committee may grant such other awards, which we refer to as Other Awards, that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Common Shares or factors that may influence the value of such Common Shares, including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Common Shares, purchase rights for Common Shares, awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of us or specified subsidiaries, affiliates or other business units or any other factors designated by the Committee, and awards valued by reference to the book value of the Common Shares or the value of securities of, or the performance of the subsidiaries, affiliates or other business units of us. The terms and conditions of any such awards will be determined by the Committee. Common Shares delivered under an award in the nature of a purchase right granted under the 2015 Plan will be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such time, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, Common Shares, other awards, notes or other property, as the Committee determines.

In addition, the Committee may grant cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other awards granted under the 2015 Plan. The Committee may also grant Common Shares as a bonus, or may grant other awards in lieu of obligations of us or a subsidiary to pay cash or deliver other property under the 2015 Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to terms determined by the Committee in a manner than complies with Section 409A of the Code.

 

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If the earning or vesting of, or elimination of restrictions applicable to, Other Awards is based only on the passage of time rather than the achievement of management objectives, the period of time will be no shorter than one year. If the earning or vesting of, or elimination of restrictions applicable to, Other Awards is based on the achievement of management objectives, the earning, vesting or restriction period may not terminate sooner than after one year. Any grant of an Other Award may provide for the earning or vesting of, or earlier elimination of restrictions applicable to, such award, including in the event of the retirement, death, or disability of the participant or in the event of a change in control of us. However, no such adjustment will be made in the case of an award intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (other than in connection with the death or disability of the participant or a change in control of us) where it would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption under Section 162(m) of the Code.

“Change in Control” Definition: The 2015 Plan includes a definition of “change in control.” In general, except as may be otherwise prescribed by the Committee in any Evidence of Award, a change of control will be deemed to have occurred if: (1) we are merged, consolidated or reorganized into or with another corporation or other legal person, and immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization less than a majority of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person immediately after such transaction are held in the aggregate by the holders of our Voting Stock (as that term is defined below) immediately prior to such transaction; (2) we sell all or substantially all of our assets to any other corporation or other legal person, and less than a majority of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person immediately after such sale are held in the aggregate by the holders of our Voting Stock immediately prior to such sale; (3) any person (as the term “person” is used in Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner (as the term “beneficial owner” is defined under Rule 13d-3 or any successor rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act) of securities representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of our directors, which we refer to as Voting Stock; or (4) if during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of any such period constitute our directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, subject to certain limitations as described in the 2015 Plan. However, a “change in control” will not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the 2015 Plan solely because (i) we, (ii) an entity in which we directly or indirectly beneficially own 50% or more of the voting securities or interest, or (iii) any employee stock ownership plan that we sponsor or any other of our employee benefit plans either files or becomes obligated to file a report or a proxy statement under or in response to Schedule 13D, Schedule 14D-l, Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule, form or report or item therein) under the Exchange Act, disclosing beneficial ownership by it of shares of Voting Stock, whether in excess of 30% or otherwise, or because we report that a change in control of us has or may have occurred or will or may occur in the future by reason of such beneficial ownership.

Management Objectives; Qualified Performance Based Awards: The 2015 Plan permits us to grant both awards that are intended to qualify as “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code and awards that are not intended to so qualify, and provides that any of the awards set forth above may be granted subject to the achievement of specified management objectives.

Management objectives are defined as the measurable performance objective or objectives established pursuant to the 2015 Plan for participants who have received grants of performance shares, performance units or cash incentive awards or, when so determined by the Committee, stock options, appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, dividend equivalents or Other Awards. Management objectives may be described in terms of company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of the individual participant or of one or more of the subsidiaries, divisions, departments, regions, functions or other organizational units within us or one of our subsidiaries. The management objectives may be made relative to the performance of other companies or subsidiaries, divisions, departments, regions, functions or other organizational units within such other companies, and may be made relative to an index or one or more of the performance objectives themselves.

 

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The Committee may grant awards subject to management objectives that are either Qualified Performance-Based Awards or are not Qualified Performance-Based Awards. A “Qualified Performance-Based Award” is any cash incentive award or award of performance shares, performance units, restricted shares, restricted stock units, or Other Awards, granted to certain “covered employees” (as defined in Section 162(m) of the Code) that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. Under the 2015 Plan, the management objectives applicable to any Qualified Performance-Based Award to a covered employee must be based on one or more, or a combination, of the metrics set forth above under the heading “Section 162(m)” (including relative or growth achievement regarding such metrics).

Additionally, in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award, each such management objective must be objectively determinable to the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, and, unless otherwise determined by the Committee and to the extent consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code, will exclude the effects of certain designated items identified at the time of grant. If the Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of us, or the manner in which we conduct our business, or other events or circumstances render the management objectives unsuitable, the Committee may in its discretion modify such management objectives or the related minimum acceptable level of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate and equitable, except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than in connection with a change in control of us) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code. In such case, the Committee will not make any modification of the management objectives or minimum acceptable level of achievement with respect to such covered employee.

Transferability of Awards: Except as otherwise provided by the Committee, no stock option, appreciation right, restricted share, restricted stock unit, performance share, performance unit, cash incentive award, Other Award or dividend equivalents paid with respect to awards made under the 2015 Plan may be transferred by a participant except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In no event will any such award granted under the 2015 Plan be transferred for value. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, stock options and appreciation rights will be exercisable during the participant’s lifetime only by him or her or, in the event of the participant’s legal incapacity to do so, by his or her guardian or legal representative acting on behalf of the participant in a fiduciary capacity under state law or court supervision.

The Committee may specify at the grant date that all or part of the Common Shares that are subject to awards under the 2015 Plan will be subject to further restrictions on transfer.

Adjustments; Corporate Transactions: The Committee will make or provide for such adjustments in the: (1) numbers of Common Shares covered by outstanding stock options, appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units granted under the 2015 Plan; (2) if applicable, number of Common Shares covered by Other Awards granted pursuant to the 2015 Plan; (3) exercise price or base price provided in outstanding stock options and appreciation rights; (4) kind of shares covered thereby; (5) cash incentive awards; and (6) other award terms, as the Committee in its sole discretion in good faith determines to be equitably required in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of us, (b) any merger, consolidation, spin-off, spin-out, split-off, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.

In the event of any such transaction or event, or in the event of a change in control of us, the Committee will provide in substitution for any or all outstanding awards under the 2015 Plan such alternative consideration (including cash), if any, as it in good faith determines to be equitable under the circumstances and will require in connection therewith the surrender of all awards so replaced in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code. In addition, for each stock option or appreciation right with an exercise price or base price greater than the

 

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consideration offered in connection with any such transaction or event or change in control of us, the Committee may in its discretion elect to cancel such stock option or appreciation right without any payment to the person holding such stock option or appreciation right. The Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the numbers and kind of shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan and the share limits of the 2015 Plan as the Committee in its sole discretion in good faith determines to be appropriate in connection with such transaction or event. However, any adjustment to the limit on the number of Common Shares that may be issued upon exercise of ISOs will be made only if and to the extent such adjustment would not cause any option intended to qualify as an ISO to fail to so qualify.

Prohibition on Repricing: Except in connection with certain corporate transactions or changes in the capital structure of us, the terms of outstanding awards may not be amended to (1) reduce the exercise price or base price of outstanding stock options or appreciation rights, or (2) cancel outstanding stock options or appreciation rights in exchange for cash, Other Awards or stock options or appreciation rights with an exercise price or base price, as applicable, that is less than the exercise price or base price of the original stock options or appreciation rights, as applicable, without shareholder approval. The 2015 Plan specifically provides that this provision is intended to prohibit the repricing of “underwater” stock options and appreciation rights and that it may not be amended without approval by our shareholders.

Detrimental Activity and Recapture: Any Evidence of Award may provide for the cancellation or forfeiture and repayment to us of any award or gain related to an award, or other provisions intended to have a similar effect, upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee from time to time, if any participant, either during employment or other service with us or a subsidiary or within a specified period after such employment or service engages in any detrimental activity. In addition, any Evidence of Award may provide for cancellation or forfeiture of an award or the forfeiture and repayment of any gain related to an award, or other provisions intended to have a similar effect, upon such terms and conditions as may be required by the Committee or under Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any national securities exchange or national securities association on which the Common Shares may be traded.

Grants to Non-U.S. Based Participants: In order to facilitate the making of any grant or combination of grants under the 2015 Plan, the Committee may provide for such special terms for awards to participants who are foreign nationals, who are employed by us or any of our subsidiaries outside of the United States of America or who provide services to us under an agreement with a foreign nation or agency, as the Committee may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom. The Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of, the 2015 Plan (including, without limitation, sub-plans) as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes, provided that no such special terms, supplements, amendments or restatements may include any provisions that are inconsistent with the terms of the 2015 Plan as then in effect unless the 2015 Plan could have been amended to eliminate such inconsistency without further approval by our shareholders.

Withholding: To the extent we are required to withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with any payment made or benefit realized by a participant or other person under the 2015 Plan, and the amounts available to us for such withholding are insufficient, it will be a condition to the receipt of such payment or the realization of such benefit that the participant or such other person make arrangements satisfactory to us for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be withheld, which arrangements, in the discretion of the Committee, may include relinquishment of a portion of such benefit. If a participant’s benefit is to be received in the form of Common Shares, and such participant fails to make arrangements for the payment if tax, then, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, we will withhold Common Shares having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld. When a participant is required to pay us an amount required to be withheld under applicable income and employment tax laws, the participant may elect, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, to satisfy the obligation, in whole or in part, by having withheld, from the shares required to be delivered to the participant, Common Shares having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld or by

 

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delivering to us other Common Shares held by such participant. The shares used for tax withholding will be valued at an amount equal to the market value of such Common Shares on the date the benefit is to be included in participant’s income. In no event will the market value of the Common Shares to be withheld and delivered pursuant to the 2015 Plan to satisfy applicable withholding taxes in connection with the benefit exceed the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld. Participants will also make such arrangements as we may require for the payment of any withholding tax obligation that may arise in connection with the disposition of Common Shares acquired upon the exercise of stock options.

No Right to Continued Employment: The 2015 Plan does not confer upon any participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or service with us or any of our subsidiaries.

Effective Date of the 2015 Plan: The 2015 Plan will become effective as of the date it is approved by our shareholders. No grants will be made on or after such date under the 1998 Plan, but outstanding awards granted under the 1998 Plan will continue unaffected following such date.

Amendment and Termination of the 2015 Plan: Our Board generally may amend the 2015 Plan from time to time in whole or in part. However, if any amendment (1) would materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under the 2015 Plan, (2) would materially increase the number of shares which may be issued under the 2015 Plan, (3) would materially modify the requirements for participation in the 2015 Plan, or (4) must otherwise be approved by our shareholders in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market, then such amendment will be subject to shareholder approval and will not be effective unless and until such approval has been obtained.

Further, subject to the 2015 Plan’s prohibition on repricing, the Committee generally may amend the terms of any award prospectively or retroactively (except in the case of Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than in connection with the participant’s death or disability or a change in control of us) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption under Section 162(m) of the Code). Except in the case of certain adjustments permitted under the 2015 Plan, no such amendment may be taken that would impair the rights of any participant without his or her consent. If permitted by Section 409A of the Code and Section 162(m) of Code and subject to certain other limitations set forth in the 2015 Plan, including in the case of termination of employment due to death, disability or retirement, in the case of unforeseeable emergency or other special circumstances, or in the event of a change in control of us, the Committee may accelerate the vesting of certain awards granted under the 2015 Plan (except that with respect to Qualified Performance-Based Awards, no such action may be taken if it would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of such award under Section 162(m) of the Code).

The Board may, in its discretion, terminate the 2015 Plan at any time. Termination of the 2015 Plan will not affect the rights of participants or their successors under any awards outstanding and not exercised in full on the date of termination. No grant will be made under the 2015 Plan more than ten years after the effective date of the 2015 Plan, but all grants made on or prior to such date shall continue in effect thereafter subject to the terms thereof and of the 2015 Plan.

New Plan Benefits

It is not possible to determine the specific amounts and types of awards that may be awarded in the future under the 2015 Plan because the grant and actual pay-out of awards under the 2015 Plan are subject to the discretion of the plan administrator.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

The following is a brief summary of certain of the Federal income tax consequences of certain transactions under the 2015 Plan based on Federal income tax laws in effect. This summary, which is presented for the

 

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information of shareholders considering how to vote on this proposal and not for 2015 Plan participants, is not intended to be complete and does not describe Federal taxes other than income taxes (such as Medicare and Social Security taxes), or state, local or foreign tax consequences.

Tax Consequences to Participants

Restricted Shares. The recipient of restricted shares generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of the restricted shares (reduced by any amount paid by the recipient for such restricted shares) at such time as the shares are no longer subject to forfeiture or restrictions on transfer for purposes of Section 83 of the Code, which we refer to as Restrictions. However, a recipient who so elects under Section 83(b) of the Code within 30 days of the date of transfer of the shares will have taxable ordinary income on the date of transfer of the shares equal to the excess of the fair market value of such shares (determined without regard to the Restrictions) over the purchase price, if any, of such restricted shares. If a Section 83(b) election has not been made, any dividends received with respect to restricted shares that are subject to the Restrictions generally will be treated as compensation that is taxable as ordinary income to the recipient.

Performance Shares and Performance Units. No income generally will be recognized upon the grant of performance shares or performance units. Upon payment in respect of the earn-out of performance shares or performance units, the recipient generally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income in the year of receipt an amount equal to the amount of cash received and the fair market value of any nonrestricted Common Shares received.

Nonqualified Stock Options. In general:

 

   

no income will be recognized by an optionee at the time a non-qualified stock option is granted;

 

   

at the time of exercise of a non-qualified stock option, ordinary income will be recognized by the optionee in an amount equal to the difference between the option price paid for the shares and the fair market value of the shares, if unrestricted, on the date of exercise; and

 

   

at the time of sale of shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a non-qualified stock option, appreciation (or depreciation) in value of the shares after the date of exercise will be treated as either short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on how long the shares have been held.

ISOs. No income generally will be recognized by an optionee upon the grant or exercise of an ISO. The exercise of an ISO, however, may result in alternative minimum tax liability. If Common Shares are issued to the optionee pursuant to the exercise of an ISO, and if no disqualifying disposition of such shares is made by such optionee within two years after the date of grant or within one year after the transfer of such shares to the optionee, then upon sale of such shares, any amount realized in excess of the option price will be taxed to the optionee as a long-term capital gain and any loss sustained will be a long-term capital loss.

If Common Shares acquired upon the exercise of an ISO are disposed of prior to the expiration of either holding period described above, the optionee generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of disposition in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of such shares at the time of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition of such shares if a sale or exchange) over the exercise price paid for such shares. Any further gain (or loss) realized by the participant generally will be taxed as short-term or long-term capital gain (or loss) depending on the holding period.

Appreciation Rights. No income will be recognized by a participant in connection with the grant of a Tandem Appreciation Right or a Free-Standing Appreciation Right. When the appreciation right is exercised, the participant normally will be required to include as taxable ordinary income in the year of exercise an amount equal to the amount of cash received and the fair market value of any unrestricted Common Shares received on the exercise.

 

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Restricted Stock Units. No income generally will be recognized upon the award of restricted stock units. The recipient of a restricted stock unit award generally will be subject to tax at ordinary income rates on the fair market value of unrestricted Common Shares on the date that such shares are transferred to the participant under the award (reduced by any amount paid by the participant for such restricted stock units), and the capital gains/loss holding period for such shares will also commence on such date.

Tax Consequences to Us or Our Subsidiaries

To the extent that a participant recognizes ordinary income in the circumstances described above, we or the subsidiary for which the participant performs services will be entitled to a corresponding deduction provided that, among other things, the income meets the test of reasonableness, is an ordinary and necessary business expense, is not an “excess parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and is not disallowed by the $1 million limitation on certain executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. In this regard, certain types of awards under the 2015 Plan, such as time-vested restricted shares and restricted stock units, cannot qualify as performance-based awards under Section 162(m) of the Code, and in other cases awards may fail to qualify if all requirements for qualification are not met in connection with such awards.

Registration with the SEC

We intend to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the issuance of Common Shares under the 2015 Plan with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act as soon as practicable after approval of the 2015 Plan by our shareholders.

Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board of Directors

The affirmative vote of a majority of our shares of Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal is required to approve the 2015 Plan. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against and broker non-votes will have no effect with respect to the approval of this proposal.

YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF THE 2015 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 4

RE-APPROVAL OF THE PARK-OHIO HOLDINGS CORP. ANNUAL CASH BONUS PLAN

You are being asked to re-approve the Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. Annual Cash Bonus Plan, as amended, which we refer to as the Bonus Plan. The Bonus Plan was initially approved by our shareholders in May 2006. The Bonus Plan was re-approved by our shareholders in May 2011. Section 162(m) of the Code requires that certain executive compensation plans be re-approved by shareholders at least every five years in order to continue qualification of compensation awarded under such plans as performance-based compensation pursuant to Section 162(m). We are seeking re-approval of the Bonus Plan due to the amendment to increase the annual per person limit under the Bonus Plan from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 and in order for all bonus payments made under the Bonus Plan to continue to satisfy the requirements for qualified performance-based compensation under the Internal Revenue Service’s regulations under Section 162(m) and, accordingly, to be eligible for deductibility by the Company.

Summary of the Bonus Plan

The purpose of the Bonus Plan is to attract and retain key executives for the Company and its subsidiaries and to provide such persons with incentives for superior performance. A summary of the terms of the Bonus Plan is set forth below. The full text of the Bonus Plan is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix B, and the summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to Appendix B.

Administration. The Bonus Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee or any other committee appointed by the Board to administer the Bonus Plan (consisting of at least two directors, each of whom must be an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m)). In administering the Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee shall have full power and authority to interpret and administer the Bonus Plan and shall have the exclusive right to establish Management Objectives (as defined below) and the amount of incentive bonuses payable upon achievement of such objectives.

Eligible Executive. Participation in the Bonus Plan will be limited to an “Eligible Executive,” which is defined as the Company’s CEO and any other executive officer of the Company designated by the Compensation Committee.

Management Objectives. An Eligible Executive’s right to receive a bonus under the Bonus Plan depends on achievement of certain specified performance goals, referred to as Management Objectives. Management Objectives may be described in terms of Company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of the individual Eligible Executive or of the subsidiary, division, department or function within the Company or subsidiary in which the Eligible Executive is employed. Management Objectives may be measured on a relative or absolute basis. The Management Objectives shall be limited to specified levels of, growth in or relative peer company performance in one or more or a combination of the following: earnings per share; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization; earnings before interest and taxes; earnings before taxes; return on invested capital; return on total capital; return on assets; return on equity; total shareholder return; net income; revenue; cash flow or operating profit; and productivity improvement.

Awards. Not later than the 90th day of each fiscal year of the Company, the Compensation Committee shall establish the Management Objectives for each Eligible Executive and the amount of incentive bonus payable (or formula for determining such amount) upon full achievement of the specified Management Objectives. The Compensation Committee may further specify in respect of the specified Management Objectives a minimum acceptable level of achievement below which no incentive bonus payment will be made and shall set forth a formula for determining the amount of any payment to be made if performance is at or above the minimum acceptable level but falls short of full achievement of the specified Management Objectives. The Compensation Committee may not modify any terms of awards established, except to the extent that after such modification the incentive bonus would continue to constitute qualified “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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The Compensation Committee retains the discretion to reduce the amount of any incentive bonus that would be otherwise payable to an Eligible Executive (including a reduction in such amount to zero).

Notwithstanding any other provision of the Bonus Plan to the contrary, in no event shall the incentive bonus paid to an Eligible Executive under the Bonus Plan for a year exceed $5,000,000.

Committee Certification. As soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, the Compensation Committee shall determine whether the Management Objective has been achieved and the amount of the incentive bonus to be paid to each Eligible Executive for such fiscal year and shall certify such determinations in writing.

Effective Date. Subject to its re-approval by the shareholders, the Bonus Plan shall become effective on the day of the Annual Meeting, and shall remain effective until the first shareholders’ meeting in 2020, subject to any further shareholder approvals (or re-approvals) mandated for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Board, however, may terminate the Bonus Plan, on a prospective basis only, at any time.

Bonus Plan Benefits. Since the Bonus Plan affords the Compensation Committee discretion in establishing target bonuses (subject to the $5,000,000 annual limit per person noted above), it is not possible to determine the amount of the benefits that may become payable under the Bonus Plan. If the Bonus Plan is not approved by shareholders, no bonuses will be paid under such plan.

Federal Income Tax Consequences

Under present federal income tax law, a Bonus Plan participant will be taxed at ordinary income rates on the amount of any payment received pursuant to the Bonus Plan. Generally, and subject to the provisions of Section 162(m), the Company will receive a federal income tax deduction corresponding to the amount of income recognized by a Bonus Plan participant.

Vote Required and Recommendation of the Board

Your Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company to qualify performance-based compensation for deductibility under Section 162(m) in order to maximize the Company’s income tax deductions. The re-approval of the Bonus Plan is necessary to qualify performance-based compensation for such deductibility.

The affirmative vote of a majority of our shares of Common Stock represented at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal is required to approve the Bonus Plan. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against and broker non-votes will have no effect with respect to the approval of this proposal.

YOUR BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RE-APPROVAL OF THE BONUS PLAN, AS AMENDED.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Our 2014 Performance

Fiscal 2014 was a year of significant and historical achievement for us, and our financial performance was at record levels. In summary:

 

   

Net sales were a record $1.4 billion, up 15% over 2013;

 

   

Net income attributable to our common shareholders was a record $45.6 million;

 

   

Earnings on a per share diluted basis were a record $3.68;

 

   

The closing price of our Common Stock on December 31, 2014 was $63.03, an increase of 20% from January 1, 2014;

 

   

EBITDA was a record $128.3 million, up 11% over 2013; and

 

   

We completed three significant strategic acquisitions.

Philosophy and Objectives

Our compensation program is designed to recognize the level of responsibility of an executive within our Company, taking into account the named executive officer’s role and expected leadership within our organization, and to encourage and reward decisions and actions that have a positive impact on our overall performance.

Our compensation philosophy is based upon the following objectives:

 

   

to reinforce the achievement of key business strategies and objectives;

 

   

to reward our executives for their outstanding performance and business results;

 

   

to emphasize the enhancement of shareholder value;

 

   

to value the executive’s unique skills and competencies;

 

   

to attract and retain qualified executives; and

 

   

to provide a competitive compensation structure.

Overview

The Compensation Committee administers our compensation program. The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving base salaries, cash bonuses and equity incentive awards for all named executive officers. Typically, our CEO makes compensation recommendations to the Compensation Committee with respect to decisions concerning named executive officers other than himself. With respect to our CEO, the Compensation Committee makes its decisions in executive session. Our compensation program recognizes the importance of ensuring that discretion is provided to the Compensation Committee and CEO in determining compensation levels and awards.

Our Say-On-Pay Vote

At our annual meeting of shareholders in June 2014, we held our non-binding advisory shareholder vote on the compensation of our named executive officers, which vote is commonly referred to as a “say-on-pay” vote. Our shareholders overwhelmingly approved the compensation of our named executive officers, with approximately 98.3% of the votes cast (not counting abstentions) in favor of the compensation paid to our named executive officers. After conducting the annual review of our compensation programs and considering and discussing the result of the say-on-pay vote, the Compensation Committee decided to retain our general approach

 

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to executive compensation. Since the 2014 vote, the Compensation Committee has decided not to make any substantive changes to our named executive officer compensation program that were specifically based on our 2014 say-on-pay vote results. With regard to the non-binding advisory resolution regarding the frequency for future say-on-pay votes, our shareholders cast the highest number of votes for voting on executive compensation every three years, and we have implemented triennial say-on-pay voting. Our next say-on-pay vote is expected to take place at our annual meeting of shareholders in 2017.

Compensation Consultants

The Compensation Committee has engaged compensation consultants on a periodic basis to help evaluate our compensation program and to help select appropriate market data for compensation determinations. The Compensation Committee also may consider a variety of data sources and information related to market practices for companies similar to ours.

In March 2014, the Compensation Committee engaged the services of PM&P, a leading independent provider of executive compensation consulting services, to help select appropriate market data for compensation considerations and to review and recommend modifications to the peer group. The Compensation Committee has conducted a review of its relationship with PM&P and has identified no conflict of interest. The resources used by PM&P for comparison included the Watson Wyatt Top Management Compensation Survey, the Mercer Executive Compensation Survey, the CHiPS Executive and Senior Management Compensation Survey and three PM&P proprietary executive compensation surveys.

The Compensation Committee periodically reviews and updates the peer group of companies based on their reasonable comparability to our company in terms of revenues, market capitalization, enterprise value, complexity, performance, industry profile, scope of operations and competitors for executive talent. In June 2014, based on the recommendation of PM&P, the Compensation Committee approved a revised peer group, consisting of the following companies:

 

AAR Corp   Encore Wire Corp    RTI International Metals
Applied Industrial Technologies   Graftech International    Schnitzer Steel Industries
Atlas Air Worldwide Holdings   Hyster-Yale Materials Handling    Stoneridge
Barnes Group   Kaman Corp    Titan International
Century Aluminum   Materion Corp    Tower International
Cubic Corp   Modine Manufacturing   
Echo Global Logistics   Mueller Industries   

While these peer group companies do not represent a perfect match for us in terms of products manufactured or sold, the peer group does include representation from a broad range of industries similar to those that we compete in, such as industrial machinery, electrical equipment, metals and mining, air freight and logistics and auto components, and these companies are similar to us in terms of the median for revenue and number of employees.

For 2014, the Compensation Committee took into consideration the updated 2014 PM&P market survey in determining the base salary and equity grants for our named executive officers. The Compensation Committee does not benchmark or otherwise aim for a level of compensation that falls within a specific range of market survey or peer group data. Instead, the Compensation Committee considers many factors in exercising its judgment and discretion in making compensation decisions, and actual compensation can and does vary widely, either above or below these medians, based on Company and individual performance, scope of responsibilities, competencies and experience, as further discussed below.

The Compensation Committee considers many factors in exercising its judgment and discretion in making compensation decisions. Other factors the Compensation Committee considers when making individual compensation decisions are described under “Compensation Components” below.

 

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The Compensation Committee believes that the foregoing actions are consistent with our philosophy and objectives.

Compensation Components

Our compensation program has three primary components consisting of a base salary, an annual cash bonus, whether discretionary or pursuant to our Bonus Plan, and equity awards granted pursuant to our 1998 Plan which, subject to shareholder approval at our Annual Meeting, will be replaced by the 2015 Plan. In addition, we also offer our named executive officers basic retirement savings opportunities, participation in a deferred compensation plan, health and welfare benefits and perquisites that supplement the three primary components of compensation. Since 2008, our compensation program has also included a non-qualified defined benefit plan, or DB Plan, and a non-qualified defined contribution plan, or DC Plan, for our CEO.

We view these various components of compensation as related but distinct. Although our Compensation Committee does review total compensation, we do not believe that significant compensation derived from one component of compensation should negate or reduce compensation from other components. The appropriate level for each compensation component is based in part, but not entirely, on our view of internal equity and consistency, and other considerations we deem relevant from year to year, such as rewarding extraordinary performance. Our Compensation Committee has not adopted any formal or informal policies or guidelines for allocating compensation between long-term and currently paid-out compensation, between cash and non-cash compensation or among different forms of non-cash compensation, but does emphasize variable compensation over fixed compensation.

Base Salary

We pay base salaries to recognize and reward each named executive officer’s unique value and skills, competencies and experience in light of the executive’s position. Base salaries, including any annual or other adjustments, for our named executive officers, other than our CEO, are determined after taking into account recommendations by our CEO. Base salaries for all named executive officers are determined by the Compensation Committee after considering a variety of factors such as market survey and peer group data, a subjective assessment of the nature and scope of the named executive officer’s responsibilities, the named executive officer’s unique value and historical contributions, historical increases, internal equitable considerations, and the experience and length of service of the named executive officer.

For 2014, no changes were made to the base salaries of our CEO or Chief Operating Officer. For 2014, the Compensation Committee, after considering recommendations from our CEO, and considering the market survey, increased the base salaries of Messrs. Emerick, Vilsack and Fogarty by 6.3%, 7.3% and 5.9% respectively.

For 2015, the Compensation Committee made no change to our CEO’s base salary. For Matthew Crawford, the Compensation Committee considered his increased leadership responsibilities in increasing his base salary by 10%. The Compensation Committee, after considering recommendations from our CEO, decided to keep our other named executive officers’ base salaries the same for 2015. Our base salaries have remained moderate for the past several years either at or below the median for the market survey and peer group data. This is consistent with our philosophy that a greater emphasis should be placed on variable compensation.

Annual Bonus

Annual bonus awards are used to reward and motivate our named executive officers for achieving key financial and operational objectives. The annual bonus awards are generally payable based on the Company’s performance and the level of individual contributions to that performance.

 

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We have established the Bonus Plan, which was re-approved by our shareholders in 2011, and for which we are seeking re-approval at the Annual Meeting, for our CEO and any other named executive officer selected by the Compensation Committee to participate in the Bonus Plan. The Bonus Plan includes a set of performance measures that can be used to establish the bonus award. Under the Bonus Plan, our CEO or any other selected named executive officer is eligible to receive an annual cash bonus depending on the performance of our Company against specific performance measures established by the Compensation Committee before the end of the first quarter of each year.

The Bonus Plan is an objective, pre-determined performance-based incentive plan intended to qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code. The Compensation Committee believes that it is generally in the Company’s best interest to attempt to structure performance-based compensation, including annual bonuses, to named executive officers who may be subject to Section 162(m) in a manner that satisfies the statute’s requirements. However, the Compensation Committee also recognizes the need to retain flexibility to make compensation decisions that may not meet Section 162(m) standards when necessary to enable the Company to meet its overall objectives, even if the Company may not be able to deduct all of the compensation. To date, the Compensation Committee has determined to include only our CEO in the Bonus Plan given his level of compensation so that his annual cash bonus will qualify for performance-based exemption under Section 162(m).

With respect to our other named executive officers, the Compensation Committee has determined that they not participate in the Bonus Plan so that it can maintain the flexibility to exercise subjectivity in granting discretionary annual cash bonuses based on both the Company’s performance and individual performance. There is no set formula or specific performance measure for determining annual bonus awards for our named executive officers who do not participate in the Bonus Plan. Annual bonus awards for these named executive officers are fully discretionary and are based on the Compensation Committee’s subjective judgment, after taking into account recommendations by our CEO. While the overall financial performance of the Company is the primary factor in determining the annual bonus awards, the Compensation Committee may also consider a number of other factors, including the named executive officer’s contribution to our success, the named executive officer’s overall leadership and expertise, the relative rank of the named executive officer, total compensation levels, and other factors that the Compensation Committee deems, in its subjective judgment, are critical to driving long-term value for shareholders.

CEO Annual Bonus Award.

The annual bonus award for our CEO is a performance-based award opportunity and is intended to reward our CEO for achieving pre-determined key financial performance measures.

For 2014, only our CEO participated in the Bonus Plan, and the Compensation Committee determined that our CEO would be eligible for a bonus award equal to 4% of our 2014 consolidated adjusted income before income taxes (adjusted for unusual and extraordinary gains and losses). For 2014, adjusted income before income taxes was $73.0 million. The Compensation Committee believes income before income taxes, as adjusted for such items, is an appropriate measure of our core operating performance, and directly links our CEO’s annual bonus award to our profitability. Under the Bonus Plan, the Compensation Committee is authorized to exercise negative discretion and reduce our CEO’s award, but did not do so for 2014.

The Compensation Committee has historically used 4% of consolidated adjusted income before taxes as the performance measure for our CEO under the Bonus Plan. When 4% was first established as the performance measure, the Compensation Committee reasoned that a solid performance by the Company would yield a cash bonus to the CEO of approximately one times his annual salary, while a very strong performance by the Company would yield a cash bonus to the CEO of approximately two times his annual salary. The Compensation Committee has maintained the CEO’s performance measure as 4% of consolidated adjusted income before taxes in order to incentivize superior performance by the Company realizing that this could result in an annual cash

 

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bonus in excess of two times the CEO’s annual salary, but subject to an overall limit of $3,000,000 ($5,000,000 under the Bonus Plan, as amended, for which we are seeking shareholder re-approval the Annual Meeting). For 2015, the Compensation Committee has once again established that the performance measure for our CEO under the Bonus Plan will be 4% of consolidated adjusted income before taxes (adjusted for unusual and extraordinary gains and losses).

Named Executive Officer Annual Bonus Award.

For our other named executive officers, the 2014 bonus awards were determined by the Compensation Committee, after considering recommendations from our CEO, and after taking into account our record financial performance and the named executive officers’ individual performance. The Compensation Committee also took into account internal equitable considerations, as well as the overall compensation of each of our other named executive officers. While the overall financial performance of the Company was relatively more important than the individual performance factors described below, the Compensation Committee did not assign a specific weight to any factor, but rather, evaluated the totality of factors in making each annual bonus award.

Among the factors the Compensation Committee considered in determining the amount of the annual bonus award for Mr. Emerick were: his implementation of a global consolidation, planning and forecasting system; his leadership role in the development of enhanced internal control systems; his effective oversight of the internal financial and accounting functions; his efforts in working with our credit agencies; and his role in helping to drive the achievement of financial performance measures. Mr. Emerick’s annual bonus award was $350,000, which equaled his annual bonus award of $350,000 for 2013.

Among the factors the Compensation Committee considered in determining the amount of the annual bonus award for Mr. Matthew Crawford were: his leadership role in developing and implementing our strategic initiatives; his leadership in the effective management of our capital and corporate financing activities; his contributions to the record financial success of many of our operating units; his leadership role in the execution of our strategic growth plan; and his leadership role in developing operational leadership talent. Mr. Matthew Crawford’s annual bonus award was $500,000, which equaled his annual bonus award of $500,000 for 2013.

Among the factors the Compensation Committee considered in determining the amount of the annual bonus award for Mr. Vilsack were: his instrumental role in our completion of three strategic acquisitions; his oversight of significant litigation matters; his role in the enhancement of key compliance matters; his leadership role in corporate financing activities; and his effective supervision of the internal legal and corporate secretarial functions. Mr. Vilsack’s annual bonus award was $340,000, which equaled his annual bonus award of $340,000 for 2013.

Among the factors the Compensation Committee considered in determining the amount of the annual bonus award for Mr. Fogarty were: his instrumental role in our completion of three strategic acquisitions; his role in the integration of these acquisitions; and his leadership efforts in business development. Mr. Fogarty’s annual bonus award was $325,000, which equaled his annual bonus award of $325,000 for 2013.

Information about bonuses paid to our named executive officers is contained in the “2014 Summary Compensation Table” below.

Equity Compensation

We have used the grant of equity awards under our 1998 Plan, and intend to use our 2015 Plan if approved by shareholders at the Annual Meeting, to provide long-term incentive compensation opportunities intended to align the named executive officers’ interests with those of our shareholders, and to attract, retain and reward executive officers.

 

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Our Compensation Committee administers our 1998 Plan and will administer our 2015 Plan if approved by shareholders at the Annual Meeting. Historically, the Compensation Committee has granted options and restricted shares under our 1998 Plan, but awards under our 1998 Plan and our 2015 Plan also can be made in the form of performance shares, restricted share units, performance units, stock appreciation rights or stock awards. There is no set formula for the granting of equity awards to named executive officers. Other than for grants of equity awards to our CEO, the Compensation Committee typically considers recommendations from our CEO when considering decisions regarding the grant of equity awards to named executive officers. The Compensation Committee grants equity awards based on its subjective judgment and discretion, and may consider a number of criteria, including the relative rank of the named executive officer, market survey and peer group data, total compensation levels, and the named executive officer’s historical and ongoing contributions to our success based on subjective criteria. Because the Compensation Committee and the CEO in their discretion consider such factors as they deem relevant in determining the named executive officer’s overall equity award, other factors may cause the award in any given year to differ from historical amounts.

We do not have any program, plan or obligation that requires us to grant equity awards on specific dates. We have not made equity grants in connection with the release or withholding of material, non-public information. Options granted under our 1998 Plan have exercise prices equal to the closing market price of our Common Stock on the day of the grant.

On June 12, 2014, the Compensation Committee approved restricted share awards for Messrs. Edward Crawford, Matthew Crawford, Emerick, Vilsack and Fogarty in the amounts of 50,000, 50,000, 7,500, 7,500 and 6,500 shares, respectively.

These restricted share grants vest one-third each year over three years. The Compensation Committee did not perform a qualitative or quantitative analysis, but instead used its subjective judgment and discretion in determining the amount of the equity awards. Restricted shares were utilized over stock options because restricted shares serve to reward and retain executives and foster stock ownership, while also minimizing the number of shares granted in aggregate, thereby reducing dilution. In exercising its judgment and discretion, the Compensation Committee was influenced by recommendations from our CEO and motivated by its desire to award each named executive officer equity value that it considered necessary to achieve the shareholder alignment and attraction, retention and motivation objectives of our compensation program. The Compensation Committee’s review and consideration of each of the named executive officer’s equity grants were of a general nature, rather than identifying and focusing on each individual’s performance relative to specific tasks, projects or accomplishments or distinguishable qualitative performance goals. The Compensation Committee did not otherwise take into account any specific performance, criteria or achievements relative to qualitative performance goals when making its equity compensation decisions for 2014. In granting the 2014 restricted share awards, the Compensation Committee also considered:

 

   

the market survey and peer group data for our CEO;

 

   

total compensation levels for each named executive officer in 2012, 2013 and 2014;

 

   

the value provided by restricted shares versus stock options;

 

   

the value and size of historical grants;

 

   

how much value was created by the historical grants; and

 

   

shares available for grant under the 1998 Plan.

More information about equity awards granted in 2014 to our CEO and our other named executive officers is contained in the “2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table”.

 

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Retirement Benefits

Our Individual Account Retirement Plan, or 401(k) Plan, is a tax-qualified retirement savings plan that permits our employees, including our named executive officers, to defer a portion of their annual salary to the 401(k) Plan on a before-tax basis. Prior to March 1, 2009, our named executive officers participated in the 401(k) Plan on the same basis as all other salaried employees whereby we annually contributed 2% of their salary into the 401(k) Plan on their behalf, subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Our named executive officers vest in the Company contributions ratably over six years of employment service, at which time they are 100% vested.

Effective April 1, 2011, the Company amended its Park-Ohio Industries, Inc. and Subsidiaries Pension Plan, or Pension Plan, to provide a new tax-qualified defined benefit for our employees, called the Account Balance Plan, or AB Plan. The AB Plan is intended to replace the contributions previously made under the 401(k) Plan. All of the named executive officers participate in the AB Plan. The AB Plan incorporates elements of a defined contribution plan into a defined benefit plan. Each participant has a notional account which receives quarterly allocations equal to 2% of compensation, subject to Internal Revenue Code limitations. Interest is credited to the notional account based on a market index. All AB Plan participants, including our named executive officers, are 100% vested in the benefit provided by the AB Plan. Additional detail on the AB Plan, including the value of the named executive officers’ accrued benefits, is provided below under “Pension Benefits.”

In 2008, the Compensation Committee established the DC Plan and the DB Plan for our CEO, which are described under “Pension Benefits for 2014” and “Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation for 2014” below. These retirement benefits are intended to reward our CEO for his past service to us and to recognize, over the long term, future service to us.

Deferred Compensation

The Company maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan, which we refer to as the 2005 Supplemental Defined Contribution Plan, or 2005 Plan, that allows certain employees, including our named executive officers, to defer a percentage of their salary and bonus, to be paid at a time specified by the participant and consistent with the terms of the 2005 Plan. We do not provide any matching contributions to the 2005 Plan. We do not pay above-market interest rates or provide preferential earnings.

For 2014, our CEO was the only participant in the DC Plan, to which we made a contribution of $375,000 as noted in the “2014 Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table” below. We do not pay above-market interest rates or provide preferential earnings.

Termination-Related Payments

All of our named executive officers are employees-at-will and, as such, do not have employment agreements that obligate us to provide any post-employment compensation or benefits. However, upon a change of control, as defined in the 1998 Plan, all unvested stock option grants become fully exercisable, all outstanding restricted share grants fully vest, and our CEO becomes 100% vested in his benefit under the DB Plan, regardless of years of service.

Other Benefits

We also provide other benefits to our named executive officers that we consider necessary in order to offer fully-competitive opportunities to attract and retain our named executive officers. These benefits include life insurance, company cars or car allowances, executive physicals, and club dues. Named executive officers are eligible to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, such as the 401(k) Plan and medical, dental, group life, disability and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, in each case on the same basis as other employees.

 

40


Limitations on Deductibility of Compensation

As part of its role, the Compensation Committee reviews and considers the deductibility of executive compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, which generally disallows a tax deduction to public corporations for compensation over $1,000,000 paid for any fiscal year to a company’s CEO and certain other executive officers as of the end of any fiscal year. However, the statute exempts qualifying performance-based compensation from the deduction limit if certain requirements are met.

The Compensation Committee believes that it is generally in our best interest to attempt to structure performance-based compensation, including annual bonuses, to named executive officers who may be subject to Section 162(m) in a manner that satisfies the statute’s requirements. However, the Compensation Committee also recognizes the need to retain flexibility to make compensation decisions that may not meet Section 162(m) standards when necessary to enable us to meet our overall objectives, even if we may not deduct all or some of the compensation. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee has expressly reserved the authority to award non-deductible compensation in appropriate circumstances.

We are not obligated to offset any income taxes due on any compensation or benefits, including income or excise taxes due on any income from accelerated vesting of outstanding equity grants. To the extent any such amounts are considered “excess parachute payments” under Section 280G of the Code and, thus, not deductible by us, the Compensation Committee is aware of that possibility and has decided to accept the cost of that lost deduction. However, the Compensation Committee has not thought it necessary for us to take on the additional cost of reimbursing executives for any taxes generated by the vesting accelerations.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

We have reviewed and discussed the foregoing Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on our review and discussion with management, we have recommended to the Board that the Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this proxy statement and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Ronna Romney, Chair
Dan T. Moore III
Steven H. Rosen

 

41


INFORMATION REGARDING COMPENSATION/GRANTS

The following table sets forth for fiscal 2014, 2013 and 2012 all compensation earned by the individuals who served as our CEO and Chief Financial Officer during fiscal 2014, and by our three highest paid employees serving as other executive officers as of the end of 2014, whom we refer to collectively as our named executive officers.

2014 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

Name and Principal Position

  Year     Salary
($)(1)
    Bonus
($)(2)
    Stock
Awards
($)(3)
    Option
Awards
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(4)
    Change in
Pension Value
and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($)(5)
    All
Other
Compen-
sation
($)(6)
    Total
($)
 

Edward F. Crawford

Chairman of the Board and

Chief Executive Officer

   
 
 
2014
2013
2012
  
  
  
   
 
 
750,000
750,000
750,000
  
  
  
   

 

 

0

0

0

  

  

  

   
 
 
2,876,000
1,271,250
1,460,250
  
  
  
   
 
 
0
0
0
  
  
  
   
 
 
2,921,000
2,764,000
2,537,840
  
  
  
   
 
 
583,090
44,527
158,176
  
  
  
   
 
 
466,950
464,903
483,740
  
  
  
   
 
 
7,597,040
5,294,680
5,390,006
  
  
  

W. Scott Emerick(7)

Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

   
 

 

2014
2013

2012

  
  

  

   
 

 

335,000
320,000

160,000

  
  

  

   
 

 

350,000
350,000

150,000

  
  

  

   
 

 

431,400
413,525

387,600

  
  

  

   
 

 

0
0

0

  
  

  

   

 

 

0

0

0

  

  

  

   

 

 

4,688

0

0

  

  

  

   
 

 

9,072
9,312

4,656

  
  

  

   
 

 

1,130,160
1,092,837

702,256

  
  

  

Matthew V. Crawford

President and Chief

Operating Officer

   
 
 
2014
2013
2012
  
  
  
   
 
 
500,000
500,000
500,000
  
  
  
   
 
 
500,000
500,000
450,000
  
  
  
   
 
 
2,876,000
1,271,250
973,500
  
  
  
   
 
 
0
0
0
  
  
  
   

 

 

0

0

0

  

  

  

   
 
 
6,749
2,815
5,315
  
  
  
   
 
 
38,303
35,973
43,585
  
  
  
   
 
 
3,921,052
2,310,038
1,972,400
  
  
  

Robert D. Vilsack

Secretary and General

Counsel

   
 
 
2014
2013
2012
  
  
  
   
 
 
290,000
275,000
275,000
  
  
  
   
 
 
340,000
340,000
325,000
  
  
  
   
 
 
431,400
413,525
194,700
  
  
  
   
 
 
0
0
0
  
  
  
   

 

 

0

0

0

  

  

  

   
 
 
6,465
3,791
5,331
  
  
  
   
 
 
25,877
27,084
25,803
  
  
  
   
 
 
1,093,742
1,059,400
825,834
  
  
  

Patrick W. Fogarty

Director of Corporate

Development

   
 
 
2014
2013
2012
  
  
  
   
 
 
266,250
255,000
255,000
  
  
  
   
 
 
325,000
325,000
325,000
  
  
  
   
 
 
373,880
364,875
194,700
  
  
  
   
 
 
0
0
0
  
  
  
   

 

 

0

0

0

  

  

  

   
 
 
6,462
3,791
5,329
  
  
  
   
 
 
18,788
19,854
19,850
  
  
  
   
 
 
990,380
968,520
799,879
  
  
  

 

(1) The amounts in this column represent salary actually paid for the year indicated.

 

(2) The amounts in this column represent discretionary bonuses paid to certain of our named executive officers. For more information on these bonuses, see “Executive Compensation — Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Components — Annual Bonus” above.

 

(3) The amount in this column for 2014 represents the grant date fair value for awards of restricted shares in accordance with ASC 718. The assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts for 2014 are included in Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014. The 2014 grants to the named executive officers will vest one-third each year over three years. For more information on these equity awards, see “Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Components — Equity Compensation” above.

 

(4) The amounts in this column represent a performance-based award under the Bonus Plan for Mr. Edward Crawford equal to 4% of our consolidated adjusted income before income taxes. For more information on this bonus, see “Executive Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Compensation Components — CEO Annual Bonus Award” above.

 

(5) The amounts listed in this column are the increases in actuarial present value of accrued benefits under our defined benefit pension plans. For Mr. Edward Crawford, the amount listed for 2014 consists of $577,773 for the increase in the actuarial present value of the non-qualified defined benefit under the DB Plan and $5,317 for the increase in the qualified defined benefit under the AB Plan. The $577,773 increase in the value of the DB Plan benefit includes $14,834 for the incremental value of an additional year of service and $562,939 for the update to the mortality assumption. For all other named executive officers, the amount listed is for the increase in the qualified defined benefit under the AB Plan. The defined benefit plans are described in more detail in the “Pension Benefits” section.

 

(6) The amounts disclosed in this column for 2014 consist of life insurance premiums for Messrs. Edward Crawford ($52,065), Emerick ($672), Matthew Crawford ($852), Vilsack ($1,086) and Fogarty ($1,086); use of a company car for Messrs. Edward Crawford ($2,800) and Matthew Crawford ($3,360); car allowances for Messrs. Emerick ($8,400), Vilsack ($8,400), and Fogarty ($8,400); club memberships for Messrs. Edward Crawford ($37,085), Matthew Crawford ($34,091), Vilsack ($16,391) and Fogarty ($9,302); and contributions to the DC Plan for Mr. Edward Crawford ($375,000). In addition to the perquisites included in the table above, our named executive officers receive occasional personal use of event tickets when such tickets are not being used for business purposes, at no incremental cost to us.

 

(7) Mr. Emerick joined us on July 1, 2012 with an annual salary of $320,000.

 

42


2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

The following table sets forth the restricted shares granted under the 1998 Plan and Bonus Plan award granted in 2014.

 

Name

   Grant
Date
     Estimated
Possible Payouts
Under  Non-Equity
Incentive
Plan Awards
     All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#)(2)
     Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock
and Option
Awards
($)(3)
 
      Target
($)(1)
       

Edward F. Crawford

             2,921,000                   
     06/12/2014                 50,000         2,876,000   

W. Scott Emerick

     06/12/2014                 7,500         431,400   

Matthew V. Crawford

     06/12/2014                 50,000         2,876,000   

Robert D. Vilsack

     06/12/2014                 7,500         431,400   

Patrick W. Fogarty

     06/12/2014                 6,500         373,880   

 

(1) For 2014, Mr. Edward Crawford was entitled to a cash bonus equal to 4% of our consolidated adjusted income before income taxes under the Bonus Plan. Accordingly, there is no threshold, target or maximum award amount, except that such award is limited to a maximum of $3,000,000 under the current terms of the Bonus Plan. For 2014, Mr. Edward Crawford earned a cash bonus in the amount of $2,921,000 under the Bonus Plan.

 

(2) The amounts in this column are the number of restricted shares granted in 2014. The restricted shares vest one-third each year over three years.

 

(3) The amounts in this column represent the grant date fair value of the restricted shares calculated in accordance with ASC 718.

For 2014, base salary was 10% of total compensation in the Summary Compensation Table for Mr. Edward Crawford; 13% for Mr. Matthew Crawford; 30% for Mr. Emerick; 27% for Mr. Vilsack; and 27% for Mr. Fogarty. None of the named executive officers has an employment agreement with us.

 

43


Outstanding Equity Awards at 2014 Fiscal Year-End Table

 

            Option Awards      Stock Awards  
                   Number of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not

Vested
(#)(1)
     Market
Value  of
Shares or
Units of
Stock That
Have Not
Vested
($)(2)
 

Name

   Grant Date      Number  of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(#)
Exercisable
     Number  of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options(#)
Unexercisable
     Option
Exercise

Price
($)
     Option
Expiration
Date
       

Edward F. Crawford

     05/02/2005         25,000         0         14.90         05/02/2015         
    

 

06/08/2012

02/28/2013

  

  

                

 

25,000

20,833

  

  

    

 

1,575,750

1,313,039

  

  

     06/12/2014                     50,000         3,151,500   

W. Scott Emerick

    

 

07/02/2012

12/17/2013

  

  

                

 

6,667

5,667

  

  

    

 

420,221

357,191

  

  

     06/12/2014                     7,500         472,725   

Matthew V. Crawford

     05/02/2005         25,000         0         14.90         05/02/2015         
     06/08/2012                     16,667         1,050,521   
     02/28/2013                     20,833         1,313,039   
     06/12/2014                     50,000         3,151,500   

Robert D. Vilsack

     05/02/2005         5,000         0         14.90         05/02/2015         
     04/12/2007         10,000         0         20.00         04/12/2017         
     05/20/2008         10,000         0         15.61         05/20/2018         
     06/08/2012                     3,334         210,142   
     12/17/2013                     5,667         357,191   
     06/12/2014                     7,500         472,725   

Patrick W. Fogarty

     05/02/2005         5,000         0         14.90         05/02/2015         
     04/12/2007         10,000         0         20.00         04/12/2017         
     05/20/2008         10,000         0         15.61         05/20/2018         
     06/08/2012                     3,334         210,142   
     12/17/2013                     5,000         315,150   
     06/12/2014                     6,500         409,695   

 

(1) These restricted shares vest one-third each year over a three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date.

 

(2) These amounts are based on the closing market price of our Common Stock of $63.03 per share on December 31, 2014.

2014 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of Shares
Acquired on Exercise
(#)
     Value Realize
don Exercise
($)
     Number of Shares
Acquired on Vesting
(#)
     Value Realize
don Vesting
($)(1)
 

Edward F. Crawford

     0         0         70,833         3,831,149   

W. Scott Emerick

     0         0         9,500         563,976   

Matthew V. Crawford

     0         0         54,167         2,919,684   

Robert D. Vilsack

     0         0         12,000         700,017   

Patrick W. Fogarty

     0         0         11,667         679,869   

 

(1) These amounts are based on the closing market price of our Common Stock on the day on which the restricted shares vested.

 

44


PENSION BENEFITS

2014 Pension Benefits Table

The following table sets forth information with respect to our DB Plan and our AB Plan as of December 31, 2014.

 

Name

   Plan Name      Number of Years
Credited
Service(1)(#)
     Present Value of
Accumulated
Benefit ($)(2)
     Payments During
Last Fiscal Year ($)
 

Edward F. Crawford

     DB Plan         20         3,653,742         0   
     AB Plan         3.75         5,317         5,214   

W. Scott Emerick

     AB Plan         0.50         4,688         0   

Matthew V. Crawford

     AB Plan         3.75         18,497         0   

Robert D. Vilsack

     AB Plan         3.75         19,642         0   

Patrick W. Fogarty

     AB Plan         3.75         19,634         0   

 

(1) The DB Plan was adopted by us in January 2008; therefore, the years of credited service represent prior years of service, but not all of the actual years of service. Upon establishment of the DB Plan, 13 years of Mr. Edward Crawford’s prior service were recognized and credited under the DB Plan. The AB Plan went into effect on April 1, 2011, at which time all of the named executive officers, except Mr. Emerick, began accruing benefits. Mr. Emerick began accruing benefits after two years of service with us. No credits for prior service were provided under the AB Plan.

 

(2) For the DB Plan, the reported value represents the actuarial present value of the vested accrued benefits as of December 31, 2014 payable at age 76 in single-life annuity form, with a 4.50% discount rate and using the RP-2014 Healthy Annuitant White Collar Male mortality table projected generationally using Scale MP-2014. For the AB Plan, the reported value represents the actuarial present value of the accrued benefits as of December 31, 2014, payable at age 65 (or current age if older) in lump sum form, with a 3% rate for future interest credits and a 3.82% discount rate.

The DB Plan provides Mr. Edward Crawford with an annual retirement benefit of up to $375,000 upon his termination of employment with us, for his life, as defined in the DB Plan. The annual benefit that he actually receives depends on his years of credited service as of his termination of employment. Mr. Edward Crawford has 20 years of credited service and, therefore, he will receive the full $375,000 annual benefit. If he dies while employed or before the first day of the month following his termination of employment, his spouse is entitled to receive an amount equal to 50% of the amount he would have been entitled to receive on the date of his death, payable semi-annually for the life of his spouse. In the event of a change in control of the Company, the full $375,000 annual benefit is payable, regardless of service.

The Pension Plan is a tax-qualified defined benefit pension plan. Previously, the Pension Plan provided benefits primarily to retired and terminated participants from legacy locations. Effective April 1, 2011, the Pension Plan was amended to implement the AB Plan benefits for all domestic employees, except certain collectively bargained employees. All of the named executive officers participate in the AB Plan.

The AB Plan uses a cash balance design, which incorporates elements of a defined contribution plan into a defined benefit plan. Each participant has a notional account which receives quarterly allocations equal to 2% of compensation (inclusive of short-term incentive compensation). The compensation used in the calculation is held to the Code’s annual limitation for qualified plan earnings. Interest is credited to the notional account using the rate for one-year Treasury constant maturities. The annual interest rate is held to a minimum of 3% and a maximum of 7%. Interest during 2014 was credited at an annual rate of 3%.

Upon retirement, termination, disability or death, the accumulated notional account balance is immediately payable to the named executive officer as a single lump sum payment. The present value of accrued benefits displayed in the table above is based on a lump sum payment.

 

45


The “Present Value of Accumulated Benefit” in the above table is the value at December 31, 2014 of the pension benefit payable at age 65 (or current age if older) that was earned as of December 31, 2014. For the AB Plan, this benefit at age 65 is derived by projecting the notional balance from current age to age 65 using 3% interest and no future allocations. This age-65 value is then discounted at a rate of 3.82% to December 31, 2014 to receive the current value of the benefit. No mortality assumption is used in the calculation because the benefit is assumed to be paid in lump sum form. Because the 3% interest crediting rate is less than the 3.82% discount rate, the present value at December 31, 2014 is smaller than the notional account balance at that date.

NON-QUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION

2014 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table

The following table sets forth information with respect to the DC Plan and our 2005 Plan, as of December 31, 2014.

 

Name

  Plan
Name
    Executive
Contributions
in 2014
($)
     Registrant
Contributions
in 2014
($)
    Aggregate
Earnings
in 2014
($)(1)
     Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
($)
     Aggregate Balance at
December 31, 2014
($)(2)
 

Edward F. Crawford

    DC Plan        0         375,000 (3)      237         0         2,535,090   

W. Scott Emerick

    2005 Plan        0         0        0         0         0   

Matthew V. Crawford

    2005 Plan        0         0        0         0         0   

Robert D. Vilsack

    2005 Plan        0         0        8,771         0         199,592   

Patrick W. Fogarty

    2005 Plan        0         0        1,070         0         16,447   

 

(1) The aggregate earnings are not “above-market or preferential earnings” and, therefore, are not reported in the 2014 Summary Compensation Table.

 

(2) Of the amounts reported in this column, $2,225,000 for Mr. Edward Crawford, $138,333 for Mr. Vilsack and $13,145 for Mr. Fogarty was previously reported as compensation in prior years’ Summary Compensation Tables.

 

(3) Consists of contributions made in 2014 by us and credited to Mr. Edward Crawford’s account. This amount was also included in the “All Other Compensation” column in the 2014 Summary Compensation Table.

The DC Plan provides our CEO with an aggregate annual credit of $375,000, or DC Benefit, during the seven-year period beginning on January 1, 2008 and ending on December 31, 2014. The DC Benefit is credited to an account on our books for our CEO, provided he has not had a termination of employment with the Company, as defined in the DC Plan. Our CEO’s account is adjusted for any positive or negative investment results from phantom investment alternatives selected by him. These phantom investment alternatives track actual market investments and are similar to the investment alternatives offered under our 401(k) Plan. We do not provide above-market or preferential earnings on the amounts credited under the DC Plan. We contribute to a grantor trust in order to provide a source of funds for the benefits under the DC Plan. Our CEO is at all times 100% vested in the DC Benefit and any earnings thereon. The amount credited under the DC Plan for our CEO will be paid upon his termination of employment.

Our 2005 Plan is a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for certain key employees, including our named executive officers. Under the 2005 Plan, eligible participants can defer up to 100% of their base salary and 100% of their cash bonus for pre-tax savings opportunities. The investment options available to the participant are the same investment options offered under our 401(k) Plan. Participants’ contributions and earnings are always 100% vested. Distributions under the 2005 Plan may be made only upon a Separation of Service (as defined in the 2005 Plan), disability, or hardship. Distributions are paid in a lump sum or in annual installments over a maximum of 10 years.

 

46


POTENTIAL POST-EMPLOYMENT PAYMENTS

Upon termination of employment for any reason, no severance benefits are payable to any of the named executive officers.

Upon the death or disability of a named executive officer while employed with the Company, all restricted share grants fully vest and all unvested stock options become immediately exercisable under the 1998 Plan, and under the DB Plan and AB Plan, certain benefits are immediately recognized upon the retirement of a named executive officer. The value of these vesting accelerations and benefits for the named executive officers, as if a death, disability, or retirement had occurred on December 31, 2014, would be as follows:

 

Name

   Death
$(1)
     Disability
$(2)
     Retirement
$(3)
 

Edward F. Crawford

     8,082,301         9,699,348         3,659,059   

W. Scott Emerick

     1,255,376         1,255,376         5,239   

Matthew V. Crawford

     5,536,565         5,536,565         21,505   

Robert D. Vilsack

     1,061,490         1,061,490         21,432   

Patrick W. Fogarty

     956,410         956,410         21,423   

 

(1) This amount includes the vesting of previously unvested restricted shares valued at the closing market price of $63.03 of our Common Stock on December 31, 2014. For Mr. Edward Crawford, this amount includes $2,036,695, which is the actuarial present value of 50% of the vested accrued non-qualified pension benefit payable as a lifetime annuity to his surviving spouse under the DB Plan.

 

(2) This amount includes the vesting of previously unvested restricted shares valued at the closing market price of $63.03 of our Common Stock on December 31, 2014. For Mr. Edward Crawford, this amount includes $3,653,742, which is the actuarial present value of the previously vested accrued non-qualified pension benefit as a lifetime annuity under the DB Plan, and $5,317, which is the actuarial present value of the previously vested accrued pension benefit as a lump sum under the AB Plan. For the other named executive officers, these amounts include the actuarial present value of the previously vested accrued pension benefit as a lump sum under the AB Plan.

 

(3) For Mr. Edward Crawford, this amount includes $3,653,742, which is the actuarial present value of the previously vested accrued non-qualified pension benefit as a lifetime annuity under the DB Plan, and $5,317, which is the actuarial present value of the previously vested accrued pension benefit as a lump sum under the AB Plan. For the other named executive officers, these amounts represent the actuarial present value of the previously vested accrued pension benefit as a lump sum under the AB Plan.

Under the 1998 Plan, upon a change of control, all restricted share grants fully vest and all unvested stock options become immediately exercisable. Under the DB Plan, upon a change of control, all pension benefits fully vest. The value of these vesting accelerations for the named executive officers, as if a change of control had occurred on December 31, 2014, would be as follows:

 

Name

   DB Plan  Early
Vesting($)
     Stock
Options
($)
     Restricted
Shares
($)(1)
     Total
($)
 

Edward F. Crawford

     0         0         6,040,289         6,040,289   

W. Scott Emerick

     0         0         1,250,137         1,250,137   

Matthew V. Crawford

     0         0         5,515,060         5,515,060   

Robert D. Vilsack

     0         0         1,040,058         1,040,058   

Patrick W. Fogarty

     0         0         934,987         934,987   

 

(1) This amount represents the vesting of previously unvested restricted shares valued at the closing market price of $63.03 of our Common Stock on December 31, 2014.

No cash payments or other benefits are due the named executive officers upon a change of control, as defined in the 1998 Plan and DB Plan. A change of control is generally defined in the 1998 Plan and DB Plan as: (i) our corporate reorganization or a sale of substantially all of our assets with the result that the shareholders prior to the reorganization or sale afterwards hold less than a majority of our voting stock; (ii) any person becoming the beneficial owner of 20% or more of the combined voting power of our outstanding securities; and

 

47


(iii) a change in the majority of our Board. For information about vested amounts or balance under the AB Plan and the DC Plan and 2005 Plan, see the “2014 Pension Benefits Table” and “2014 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table” respectively, above.

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

In accordance with our Audit Committee Charter, our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving the terms and conditions of all related-party transactions. In some cases, however, the Audit Committee will defer the approval of a related-party transaction to the disinterested members of the full Board.

Neither the Audit Committee nor the Board has written policies or procedures with respect to the review, approval or ratification of related-party transactions. Instead, the Audit Committee, or the Board, as applicable, reviews each proposed transaction on a case-by-case basis taking into account all relevant factors, including whether the terms and conditions are at least as favorable to us as if negotiated on an arm’s-length basis with unrelated third parties. The following related-party transactions have been approved either by our Board or our Audit Committee.

During 2014, we chartered, on an hourly basis, an airplane from a third-party private aircraft charter company. One of the aircraft available for use by us is an aircraft owned jointly by this charter company and a company owned by Mr. Edward Crawford. For 2014, we paid $584,755 for the use of that aircraft. Through companies owned by Mr. Edward Crawford, we lease a 125,000 square foot facility in Huntington, Indiana at a monthly rent of $16,934 and a 60,450 square foot building we use as our corporate headquarters in Mayfield Heights, Ohio at a monthly rent of $72,036. In 2014, we purchased a building from a company owned by Mr. Crawford for $1,800,000.

Through companies owned by Mr. Matthew Crawford, we lease two buildings in Conneaut, Ohio: a 91,300 square foot facility, at a monthly rent of $37,527 and an additional 70,000 square foot attached facility at a monthly rent of $10,500 plus real estate taxes totaling $13,800; and a 125,000 square foot facility in Canton, Ohio at a monthly rent of $55,666.

For 2014, we received $218,340 for equipment purchased from us by a company owned by Mr. Edward Crawford.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2016 ANNUAL MEETING

2016 Proposals

Any shareholder who intends to present a proposal to include in the proxy materials for the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, including proposals for the nomination of directors, must comply with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act. To have the proposal included in our proxy statement and form of proxy for that meeting, the shareholder must deliver the proposal in writing by December 18, 2015 to the Secretary of the Company, at 6065 Parkland Boulevard, Cleveland, Ohio 44124.

Advance Notice Procedures

Under our Regulations, no business may be brought before an annual meeting unless it is specified in the notice of the meeting or otherwise brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board or by a shareholder who has delivered written notice to our Secretary not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days before the meeting. If there was less than 75 days’ notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting given or made to the shareholders, then in order for the written notice by the shareholder to be timely, it must be received no later than the close of business on the fifteenth day after the earlier of the day on which such notice of the date

 

48


of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was made. Accordingly, if a shareholder intends to present a proposal at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act, the shareholder must provide written notice pursuant to the procedures contained in our Regulations that are outlined above. Our proxy statement relating to the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders will give discretionary authority to those individuals named in the accompanying proxy to vote with respect to all non-Rule 14a-8 proposals not included in the proxy statement relating to the 2016 annual meeting if the proposals are properly presented at the 2016 annual meeting.

ANNUAL REPORT

Our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2014 is being mailed to each shareholder of record with this Proxy Statement. Additional copies may be obtained from the undersigned.

OTHER MATTERS

Set forth below are directions to the Annual Meeting located at Cuyahoga Community College, Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Road, Room No. 238, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128:

From the South

Take Interstate 271 North. Take exit 27A-27B for Miles Road and turn left onto Miles Road. Turn left onto Richmond Road. Corporate College East will be on left.

From the East

Take Interstate 90 West and keep left to continue onto Interstate 271 South. Take exit 28A for Ohio State 175/Richmond Road toward Emery Road. Proceed straight through intersection into Corporate College East parking lot.

From the West

Take Interstate 480 East. Stay left towards Interstate 271 North/U.S. 422/North Erie, PA/Warren. Exit onto North Miles Road toward North Randall/Bedford Heights. Turn left onto Richmond Road and left again; continue straight; turn right. Corporate College East will be on left.

From Downtown Cleveland

Take Interstate 77 South. Take exit 156 to merge onto Interstate 480 East towards Youngstown. Exit onto North Miles Road toward North Randall/Bedford Heights. Turn left onto Richmond Road and left again; continue straight; turn right. Corporate College East will be on left. Alternatively, take Interstate 90 East to Interstate 271 South. Exit at 28A Richmond/Emery Road. Proceed straight through intersection into Corporate College East parking lot.

PARK-OHIO HOLDINGS CORP.

ROBERT D. VILSACK

    Secretary

April 16, 2015

 

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APPENDIX A

PARK-OHIO HOLDINGS CORP.

2015 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

1. Purpose. The purpose of this Plan is to attract and retain Directors, officers and other key employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to provide to such persons incentives and rewards for performance.

2. Definitions. As used in this Plan:

(a) “Affiliate” means any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company as determined by the Committee or the Board, as applicable, in its discretion.

(b) “Appreciation Right” means a right granted pursuant to Section 5 of this Plan, and will include both Free-Standing Appreciation Rights and Tandem Appreciation Rights.

(c) “Base Price” means the price to be used as the basis for determining the Spread upon the exercise of a Free-Standing Appreciation Right or a Tandem Appreciation Right.

(d) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e) “Cash Incentive Award” means a cash award granted pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan.

(f) “Change in Control” has the meaning set forth in Section 12 of this Plan.

(g) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

(h) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board (or its successor(s)), or any other committee of the Board designated by the Board to administer this Plan pursuant to Section 10 of this Plan consisting solely of no fewer than two Non-Employee Directors.

(i) “Common Shares” means the shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the Company or any security into which such common shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 11 of this Plan.

(j) “Company” means Park-Ohio Holdings Corp., an Ohio corporation and its successors.

(k) “Covered Employee” means a Participant who is, or is determined by the Committee to be likely to become, a “covered employee” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (or any successor provision).

(l) “Date of Grant” means the date specified by the Committee on which a grant of Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Performance Shares, Performance Units, Cash Incentive Awards, or other awards contemplated by Section 9 of this Plan, or a grant or sale of Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units, or other awards contemplated by Section 9 of this Plan, will become effective (which date will not be earlier than the date on which the Committee takes action with respect thereto).

(m) “Director” means a member of the Board.

(n) “Effective Date” means the date this Plan is approved by the Shareholders of the Company.

(o) “Evidence of Award” means an agreement, certificate, resolution or other type or form of writing or other evidence approved by the Committee that sets forth the terms and conditions of the awards granted under

 

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the Plan. An Evidence of Award may be in an electronic medium, may be limited to notation on the books and records of the Company and, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, need not be signed by a representative of the Company or a Participant.

(p) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as such law, rules and regulations may be amended from time to time.

(q) “Free-Standing Appreciation Right” means an Appreciation Right granted pursuant to Section 5 of this Plan that is not granted in tandem with an Option Right.

(r) “Incentive Stock Options” means Option Rights that are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” under Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.

(s) “Management Objectives” means the measurable performance objective or objectives established pursuant to this Plan for Participants who have received grants of Performance Shares, Performance Units or Cash Incentive Awards or, when so determined by the Committee, Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units, dividend equivalents or other awards pursuant to this Plan. Management Objectives may be described in terms of Company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of the individual Participant or of one or more of the Subsidiaries, divisions, departments, regions, functions or other organizational units within the Company or its Subsidiaries. The Management Objectives may be made relative to the performance of other companies or subsidiaries, divisions, departments, regions, functions or other organizational units within such other companies, and may be made relative to an index or one or more of the performance objectives themselves. The Committee may grant awards subject to Management Objectives that are either Qualified Performance-Based Awards or are not Qualified Performance-Based Awards. The Management Objectives applicable to any Qualified Performance-Based Award to a Covered Employee will be based on one or more, or a combination, of the following metrics (including relative or growth achievement regarding such metrics):

 

  (i) Profits (e.g., operating income, EBIT, EBT, net income, earnings per share, residual or economic earnings, retained earnings, economic profit — these profitability metrics could be measured before certain specified special items and/or subject to GAAP definition);

 

  (ii) Cash Flow (e.g., EBITDA, free cash flow, free cash flow with or without specific capital expenditure target or range, including or excluding divestments and/or acquisitions, expenses, total cash flow, cash flow in excess of cost of capital or residual cash flow or cash flow return on investment);

 

  (iii) Returns (e.g., profits or cash flow returns on: assets, investments, net capital employed, and equity);

 

  (iv) Working Capital (e.g., working capital divided by sales, days’ sales outstanding, days’ sales inventory, and days’ sales in payables);

 

  (v) Profit Margins (e.g., profits divided by revenues, gross margins and material margins divided by revenues, and material margin divided by sales pounds, operating profit and margin);

 

  (vi) Liquidity Measures (e.g., debt-to-capital, debt-to-EBITDA, total debt ratio);

 

  (vii) Sales Growth, Gross Margin Growth, Cost Initiative and Stock Price Metrics (e.g., revenues, revenue growth, revenue growth outside the United States, asset turnover, gross margin and gross margin growth, material margin and material margin growth, stock price appreciation, capitalization, market share, total return to shareholders, sales to targeted customers, sales and administrative costs divided by sales, and sales and administrative costs divided by profits); and

 

  (viii)

Strategic Initiative Key Deliverable Metrics consisting of one or more of the following: product development, strategic partnering, quality measures, productivity, safety measures, educational and technical skills of employees, research and development, vitality index, market penetration, geographic business expansion goals, cost targets, customer satisfaction, employee satisfaction, management of

 

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  employment practices and employee benefits, supervision of litigation and information technology, and goals relating to acquisitions or divestitures of subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures.

In the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award, each Management Objective will be objectively determinable to the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code, and, unless otherwise determined by the Committee and to the extent consistent with Code Section 162(m), will exclude the effects of certain designated items identified at the time of grant. If the Committee determines that a change in the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure of the Company, or the manner in which it conducts its business, or other events or circumstances render the Management Objectives unsuitable, the Committee may in its discretion modify such Management Objectives or the related minimum acceptable level of achievement, in whole or in part, as the Committee deems appropriate and equitable, except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than in connection with a Change in Control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code. In such case, the Committee will not make any modification of the Management Objectives or minimum acceptable level of achievement with respect to such Covered Employee.

(t) “Market Value per Share” means, as of any particular date, the closing price of a Common Share as reported for that date on the Nasdaq Stock Market, if the Common Shares are not then listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, on any other national securities exchange on which the Common Shares are listed, or if there are no sales on such date, on the next preceding trading day during which a sale occurred. If there is no regular public trading market for the Common Shares, then the Market Value per Share shall be the fair market value as determined in good faith by the Committee. The Committee is authorized to adopt another fair market value pricing method provided such method is stated in the Evidence of Award and is in compliance with the fair market value pricing rules set forth in Section 409A of the Code.

(u) “Non-Employee Director” means a person who is a “Non-Employee Director” of the Company within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act and an “outside director” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

(v) “Optionee” means the optionee named in an Evidence of Award evidencing an outstanding Option Right.

(w) “Option Price” means the purchase price payable on exercise of an Option Right.

(x) “Option Right” means the right to purchase Common Shares upon exercise of an option granted pursuant to Section 4 of this Plan.

(y) “Participant” means a person who is selected by the Committee to receive benefits under this Plan and who is at the time (i) an officer or other employee of the Company or any Subsidiary, (ii) a person who provides services to the Company or a Subsidiary that are equivalent to those typically provided by an employee (provided that such person satisfies the Form S-8 definition of an “employee”), or (iii) a non-employee Director.

(z) “Performance Period” means, in respect of a Cash Incentive Award, Performance Share or Performance Unit, a period of time established pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan within which the Management Objectives relating to such Cash Incentive Award, Performance Share or Performance Unit are to be achieved.

(aa) “Performance Share” means a bookkeeping entry that records the equivalent of one Common Share awarded pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan.

(bb) “Performance Unit” means a bookkeeping entry awarded pursuant to Section 8 of this Plan that records a unit equivalent to $1.00 or such other value as is determined by the Committee.

 

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(cc) “Plan” means this Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. 2015 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan.

(dd) “Predecessor Plan” means the Company’s Amended and Restated 1998 Long-Term Incentive Plan (as Amended and Restated as of May 24, 2012).

(ee) “Qualified Performance-Based Award” means any Cash Incentive Award or award of Performance Shares, Performance Units, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units or other awards contemplated under Section 9 of this Plan, or portion of such award, to a Covered Employee that is intended to satisfy the requirements for “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(ff) “Restricted Shares” means Common Shares granted or sold pursuant to Section 6 of this Plan as to which neither the substantial risk of forfeiture nor the prohibition on transfers has expired.

(gg) “Restriction Period” means the period of time during which Restricted Stock Units are subject to restrictions, as provided in Section 7 of this Plan.

(hh) “Restricted Stock Units” means an award made pursuant to Section 7 of this Plan of the right to receive Common Shares, cash or a combination thereof at the end of a specified period.

(ii) “Shareholder” means an individual or entity that owns one or more Common Shares.

(jj) “Spread” means the excess of the Market Value per Share on the date when an Appreciation Right is exercised over the Option Price or Base Price provided for in the related Option Right or Free-Standing Appreciation Right, respectively.

(kk) “Subsidiary” means a corporation, company or other entity (i) more than 50 percent of whose outstanding shares or securities (representing the right to vote for the election of directors or other managing authority) are, or (ii) which does not have outstanding shares or securities (as may be the case in a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, or unincorporated association), but more than 50 percent of whose ownership interest representing the right generally to make decisions for such other entity is, now or hereafter, owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of determining whether any person may be a Participant for purposes of any grant of Incentive Stock Options, “Subsidiary” means any corporation in which at the time the Company owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 50 percent of the total combined Voting Power represented by all classes of stock issued by such corporation.

(ll) “Tandem Appreciation Right” means an Appreciation Right granted pursuant to Section 5 of this Plan that is granted in tandem with an Option Right.

(mm) “Voting Power” means at any time, the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of Directors in the case of the Company, or members of the board of directors or similar body in the case of another entity.

3. Shares Available Under the Plan.

(a) Maximum Shares Available Under Plan.

 

  (i)

Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 of this Plan, the number of Common Shares that may be issued or transferred (A) upon the exercise of Option Rights or Appreciation Rights, (B) as Restricted Shares and released from substantial risks of forfeiture thereof, (C) in payment of Restricted Stock Units, (D) in payment of Performance Shares or Performance Units that have been earned, (E) as awards contemplated by Section 9 of this Plan, or (F) in payment of dividend equivalents paid with respect to awards made under this Plan will not exceed in the aggregate 650,000 Common Shares plus,

 

A-4


  as of the Effective Date, the number of Common Shares available for new awards under the Predecessor Plan on the Effective Date. Such shares may be shares of original issuance or treasury shares or a combination of the foregoing.

 

  (ii) Common Shares covered by an award granted under this Plan will not be counted as used unless and until they are actually issued and delivered to a Participant. If any Common Shares issued or transferred pursuant to an award granted under this Plan are forfeited, or an award granted under this Plan is cancelled or forfeited, expires or is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Common Shares issued or transferred pursuant to, or subject to, such award (as applicable) will, to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture, expiration, or cash settlement, again be available for issuance or transfer under Section 3(a)(i) above. If, on or after the Effective Date, any Common Shares subject to an award granted under the Predecessor Plan are forfeited, or an award granted under the Predecessor Plan is cancelled or forfeited, expires or is settled for cash (in whole or in part), the Common Shares subject to such award will, to the extent of such cancellation, forfeiture, expiration, or cash settlement, be available for issuance or transfer under Section 3(a)(i) above.

 

  (iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the following Common Shares will not be added to the aggregate number of Common Shares available for issuance or transfer under Section 3(a)(i) above: (A) Common Shares tendered or otherwise used in payment of the Option Price of an Option Right (or the option price of a stock option granted under the Predecessor Plan); (B) Common Shares withheld or otherwise used by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation; (C) Common Shares subject to an Appreciation Right (or a stock appreciation right granted under the Predecessor Plan) that are not actually issued in connection with its Common Shares settlement on exercise thereof; and (D) Common Shares reacquired by the Company on the open market or otherwise using cash proceeds from the exercise of Option Rights (or stock options granted under the Predecessor Plan). If, under this Plan, a Participant has elected to give up the right to receive compensation in exchange for Common Shares based on fair market value, such Common Shares will not count against the aggregate plan limit described above.

(b) Limit on Incentive Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3, or elsewhere in this Plan, to the contrary and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 of this Plan, the aggregate number of Common Shares actually issued or transferred by the Company upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will not exceed 650,000 Common Shares.

(c) Individual Participant Limits. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 3, or elsewhere in this Plan, to the contrary, and subject to adjustment as provided in Section 11 of this Plan:

 

  (i) No Participant will be granted Option Rights and/or Appreciation Rights, in the aggregate, for more than 200,000 Common Shares during any calendar year.

 

  (ii) No Participant will be granted Qualified Performance-Based Awards of Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and/or other awards under Section 9 of this Plan, in the aggregate, for more than 200,000 Common Shares during any calendar year.

 

  (iii) In no event will any Participant in any calendar year receive Qualified Performance-Based Awards of Performance Units and/or other awards payable in cash under Section 9 of this Plan having an aggregate maximum value as of their respective Dates of Grant in excess of $7,000,000.

 

  (iv) In no event will any Participant in any calendar year receive Qualified Performance-Based Awards that are Cash Incentive Awards having an aggregate maximum value in excess of $7,000,000.

 

  (v) No non-employee Director will be granted, in any period of one calendar year, awards under the Plan in excess of 50,000 Common Shares.

(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, up to 5% of the maximum number of Common Shares that may be issued or transferred under this Plan as provided for in Section 3(a) of this Plan, as may be

 

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adjusted under Section 11 of this Plan, may be used for awards granted under Section 4 through Section 9 of this Plan that do not comply with the applicable one-year minimum vesting requirements set forth in such sections of this Plan.

4. Option Rights. The Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting to Participants of Option Rights. Each such grant may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:

(a) Each grant will specify the number of Common Shares to which it pertains subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3 of this Plan.

(b) Each grant will specify an Option Price per share, which (except with respect to awards under Section 22 of this Plan) may not be less than the Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant.

(c) Each grant will specify whether the Option Price will be payable (i) in cash or by check acceptable to the Company or by wire transfer of immediately available funds, (ii) by the actual or constructive transfer to the Company of Common Shares owned by the Optionee (or other consideration authorized pursuant to Section 4(d) of this Plan) having a value at the time of exercise equal to the total Option Price, (iii) subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Committee, the Company’s withholding of Common Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of an Option Right pursuant to a “net exercise” arrangement (it being understood that, solely for purposes of determining the number of treasury shares held by the Company, the Common Shares so withheld will not be treated as issued and acquired by the Company upon such exercise), (iv) by a combination of such methods of payment, or (v) by such other methods as may be approved by the Committee.

(d) To the extent permitted by law, any grant may provide for deferred payment of the Option Price from the proceeds of sale through a bank or broker on a date satisfactory to the Company of some or all of the shares to which such exercise relates.

(e) Successive grants may be made to the same Participant whether or not any Option Rights previously granted to such Participant remain unexercised.

(f) Each grant will specify the period or periods of continuous service by the Optionee with the Company or any Subsidiary that is necessary before the Option Rights or installments thereof will become exercisable; provided that, except as otherwise described in this subsection, no grant of Option Rights may become exercisable sooner than after one year. A grant of Option Rights may provide for the earlier exercise of such Option Rights, including in the event of the retirement, death or disability of a Participant, or in the event of a Change in Control.

(g) Any grant of Option Rights may specify Management Objectives that must be achieved as a condition to the exercise of such rights.

(h) Option Rights granted under this Plan may be (i) options, including, without limitation, Incentive Stock Options that are intended to qualify under particular provisions of the Code, (ii) options that are not intended so to qualify, or (iii) combinations of the foregoing. Incentive Stock Options may only be granted to Participants who meet the definition of “employees” under Section 3401(c) of the Code.

(i) The exercise of an Option Right will result in the cancellation on a share-for-share basis of any Tandem Appreciation Right authorized under Section 5 of this Plan.

(j) No Option Right will be exercisable more than 10 years from the Date of Grant.

(k) Option Rights granted under this Plan may not provide for any dividends or dividend equivalents thereon.

 

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(l) Each grant of Option Rights will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award. Each Evidence of Award will be subject to this Plan and will contain such terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Committee may approve.

5. Appreciation Rights.

(a) The Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting (i) to any Optionee, of Tandem Appreciation Rights in respect of Option Rights granted hereunder, and (ii) to any Participant, of Free-Standing Appreciation Rights. A Tandem Appreciation Right will be a right of the Optionee, exercisable by surrender of the related Option Right, to receive from the Company an amount determined by the Committee, which will be expressed as a percentage of the Spread (not exceeding 100 percent) at the time of exercise. Tandem Appreciation Rights may be granted at any time prior to the exercise or termination of the related Option Rights; provided, however, that a Tandem Appreciation Right awarded in relation to an Incentive Stock Option must be granted concurrently with such Incentive Stock Option. A Free-Standing Appreciation Right will be a right of the Participant to receive from the Company an amount determined by the Committee, which will be expressed as a percentage of the Spread (not exceeding 100 percent) at the time of exercise.

(b) Each grant of Appreciation Rights may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:

 

  (i) Each grant may specify that the amount payable on exercise of an Appreciation Right will be paid by the Company in cash, Common Shares or any combination thereof.

 

  (ii) Any grant may specify that the amount payable on exercise of an Appreciation Right may not exceed a maximum specified by the Committee at the Date of Grant.

 

  (iii) Any grant may specify waiting periods before exercise and permissible exercise dates or periods.

 

  (iv) Each grant may specify the period or periods of continuous service by the Participant with the Company or any Subsidiary that is necessary before the Appreciation Rights or installments thereof will become exercisable; provided that, except as otherwise described in this subsection, no grant of Appreciation Rights may become exercisable sooner than after one year. A grant of Appreciation Rights may provide for the earlier exercise of such Appreciation Rights, including in the event of the retirement, death or disability of a Participant, or in the event of a Change in Control.

 

  (v) Any grant of Appreciation Rights may specify Management Objectives that must be achieved as a condition of the exercise of such Appreciation Rights.

 

  (vi) Each grant of Appreciation Rights will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award, which Evidence of Award will describe such Appreciation Rights, identify the related Option Rights (if applicable), and contain such other terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Committee may approve.

(c) Any grant of Tandem Appreciation Rights will provide that such Tandem Appreciation Rights may be exercised only at a time when the related Option Right is also exercisable and at a time when the Spread is positive, and by surrender of the related Option Right for cancellation. Successive grants of Tandem Appreciation Rights may be made to the same Participant regardless of whether any Tandem Appreciation Rights previously granted to the Participant remain unexercised.

(d) Appreciation Rights granted under this Plan may not provide for any dividends or dividend equivalents thereon.

(e) Regarding Free-Standing Appreciation Rights only:

 

  (i) Each grant will specify in respect of each Free-Standing Appreciation Right a Base Price, which (except with respect to awards under Section 22 of this Plan) may not be less than the Market Value per Share on the Date of Grant;

 

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  (ii) Successive grants may be made to the same Participant regardless of whether any Free-Standing Appreciation Rights previously granted to the Participant remain unexercised; and

 

  (iii) No Free-Standing Appreciation Right granted under this Plan may be exercised more than 10 years from the Date of Grant.

6. Restricted Shares. The Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the grant or sale of Restricted Shares to Participants. Each such grant or sale may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:

(a) Each such grant or sale will constitute an immediate transfer of the ownership of Common Shares to the Participant in consideration of the performance of services, entitling such Participant to voting, dividend and other ownership rights, but subject to the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer hereinafter referred to.

(b) Each such grant or sale may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by such Participant that is less than the Market Value per Share at the Date of Grant.

(c) Each such grant or sale will provide that the Restricted Shares covered by such grant or sale will be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code for a period to be determined by the Committee at the Date of Grant or until achievement of Management Objectives referred to in subparagraph (e) below. If the elimination of restrictions is based only on the passage of time rather than the achievement of Management Objectives, the period of time will be no shorter than one year.

(d) Each such grant or sale will provide that during or after the period for which such substantial risk of forfeiture is to continue, the transferability of the Restricted Shares will be prohibited or restricted in the manner and to the extent prescribed by the Committee at the Date of Grant (which restrictions may include, without limitation, rights of repurchase or first refusal in the Company or provisions subjecting the Restricted Shares to a continuing substantial risk of forfeiture in the hands of any transferee).

(e) Any grant of Restricted Shares may specify Management Objectives that, if achieved, will result in termination or early termination of the restrictions applicable to such Restricted Shares; provided, however, that notwithstanding subparagraph (c) above, restrictions relating to Restricted Shares that vest upon the achievement of Management Objectives may not terminate sooner than after one year.

(f) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, any grant or sale of Restricted Shares may provide for the earlier termination of restrictions on such Restricted Shares, including in the event of the retirement, death or disability of a Participant, or in the event of a Change in Control; provided, however, that no award of Restricted Shares intended to be a Qualified Performance-Based Award will provide for such early termination of restrictions (other than in connection with the death or disability of the Participant or a Change in Control) to the extent such provisions would cause such award to fail to be a Qualified Performance-Based Award.

(g) Any such grant or sale of Restricted Shares may require that any or all dividends or other distributions paid thereon during the period of such restrictions be automatically deferred and reinvested in additional Restricted Shares, which may be subject to the same restrictions as the underlying award; provided, however, that dividends or other distributions on Restricted Shares with restrictions that lapse as a result of the achievement of Management Objectives will be deferred until and paid contingent upon the achievement of the applicable Management Objectives.

(h) Each grant or sale of Restricted Shares will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award and will contain such terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Committee may approve. Unless otherwise directed by the Committee, (i) all certificates representing Restricted Shares will be held in custody by the Company until all

 

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restrictions thereon will have lapsed, together with a stock power or powers executed by the Participant in whose name such certificates are registered, endorsed in blank and covering such shares or (ii) all Restricted Shares will be held at the Company’s transfer agent in book entry form with appropriate restrictions relating to the transfer of such Restricted Shares.

7. Restricted Stock Units. The Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting or sale of Restricted Stock Units to Participants. Each such grant or sale may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:

(a) Each such grant or sale will constitute the agreement by the Company to deliver Common Shares or cash, or a combination thereof, to the Participant in the future in consideration of the performance of services, but subject to the fulfillment of such conditions (which may include the achievement of Management Objectives) during the Restriction Period as the Committee may specify.

(b) If a grant of Restricted Stock Units specifies that the Restriction Period will terminate only upon the achievement of Management Objectives or that the Restricted Stock Units will be earned based on the achievement of Management Objectives, then, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in subparagraph (c) below, the applicable Restriction Period may not be a period of less than one year.

(c) Each such grant or sale may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by such Participant that is less than the Market Value per Share at the Date of Grant.

(d) If the Restriction Period lapses only by the passage of time rather than the achievement of Management Objectives as provided in subparagraph (a) above, each such grant or sale will be subject to a Restriction Period of not less than one year.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, any grant or sale of Restricted Stock Units may provide for the earlier lapse or other modification of the Restriction Period, including in the event of the retirement, death or disability of a Participant, or in the event of a Change in Control; provided, however, that no award of Restricted Stock Units intended to be a Qualified Performance-Based Award will provide for such early lapse or modification of the Restriction Period (other than in connection with the death or disability of the Participant or a Change in Control) to the extent such provisions would cause such award to fail to be a Qualified Performance-Based Award.

(f) During the Restriction Period, the Participant will have no right to transfer any rights under his or her award and will have no rights of ownership in the Common Shares deliverable upon payment of the Restricted Stock Units and will have no right to vote them, but the Committee may, at the Date of Grant, authorize the payment of dividend equivalents on such Restricted Stock Units on either a current or deferred or contingent basis, either in cash or in additional Common Shares; provided, however, that dividend equivalents or other distributions on Common Shares underlying Restricted Stock Units with restrictions that lapse as a result of the achievement of Management Objectives will be deferred until and paid contingent upon the achievement of the applicable Management Objectives.

(g) Each grant or sale of Restricted Stock Units will specify the time and manner of payment of the Restricted Stock Units that have been earned. Each grant or sale will specify that the amount payable with respect thereto will be paid by the Company in Common Shares or cash, or a combination thereof.

(h) Each grant or sale of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award and will contain such terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Committee may approve.

 

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8. Cash Incentive Awards, Performance Shares and Performance Units. The Committee may, from time to time and upon such terms and conditions as it may determine, authorize the granting of Cash Incentive Awards, Performance Shares and Performance Units. Each such grant may utilize any or all of the authorizations, and will be subject to all of the requirements, contained in the following provisions:

(a) Each grant will specify the number or amount of Performance Shares or Performance Units, or amount payable with respect to Cash Incentive Awards, to which it pertains, which number or amount may be subject to adjustment to reflect changes in compensation or other factors; provided, however, that no such adjustment will be made in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than in connection with the death or disability of the Participant or a Change in Control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(b) The Performance Period with respect to each Cash Incentive Awards, Performance Share or Performance Unit will be such period of time (not less than one year) as will be determined by the Committee at the time of grant, which may be subject to earlier lapse or other modification, including in the event of the retirement, death or disability of a Participant, or in the event of a Change in Control; provided, however, that no such adjustment will be made in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than in connection with the death or disability of the Participant or a Change in Control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code. In such event, the Evidence of Award will specify the time and terms of delivery.

(c) Any grant of Cash Incentive Awards, Performance Shares or Performance Units will specify Management Objectives which, if achieved, will result in payment or early payment of the award, and each grant may specify in respect of such specified Management Objectives a minimum acceptable level or levels of achievement and may set forth a formula for determining the number of Performance Shares or Performance Units, or amount payable with respect to Cash Incentive Awards, that will be earned if performance is at or above the minimum or threshold level or levels, or is at or above the target level or levels, but falls short of maximum achievement of the specified Management Objectives.

(d) Each grant will specify the time and manner of payment of Cash Incentive Awards, Performance Shares or Performance Units that have been earned. Any grant may specify that the amount payable with respect thereto may be paid by the Company in cash, in Common Shares, in Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units or in any combination thereof.

(e) Any grant of Cash Incentive Awards, Performance Shares or Performance Units may specify that the amount payable or the number of Common Shares or Restricted Shares or Restricted Stock Units with respect thereto may not exceed a maximum specified by the Committee at the Date of Grant.

(f) The Committee may, at the Date of Grant of Performance Shares, provide for the payment of dividend equivalents to the holder thereof either in cash or in additional Common Shares, subject in all cases to deferral and payment on a contingent basis based on the Participant’s earning of the Performance Shares with respect to which such dividend equivalents are paid.

(g) Each grant of Cash Incentive Awards, Performance Shares or Performance Units will be evidenced by an Evidence of Award and will contain such other terms and provisions, consistent with this Plan, as the Committee may approve.

9. Other Awards.

(a) Subject to applicable law and the limit set forth in Section 3(c) of this Plan, the Committee may grant to any Participant such other awards that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, or related to, Common Shares or factors that may influence the value of such shares,

 

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including, without limitation, convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible or exchangeable into Common Shares, purchase rights for Common Shares, awards with value and payment contingent upon performance of the Company or specified Subsidiaries, affiliates or other business units thereof or any other factors designated by the Committee, and awards valued by reference to the book value of the Common Shares or the value of securities of, or the performance of specified Subsidiaries or affiliates or other business units of the Company. The Committee will determine the terms and conditions of such awards. Common Shares delivered pursuant to an award in the nature of a purchase right granted under this Section 9 will be purchased for such consideration, paid for at such time, by such methods, and in such forms, including, without limitation, Common Shares, other awards, notes or other property, as the Committee determines.

(b) Cash awards, as an element of or supplement to any other award granted under this Plan, may also be granted pursuant to this Section 9.

(c) The Committee may grant Common Shares as a bonus, or may grant other awards in lieu of obligations of the Company or a Subsidiary to pay cash or deliver other property under this Plan or under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as will be determined by the Committee in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.

(d) If the earning or vesting of, or elimination of restrictions applicable to, an award granted under this Section 9 is based only on the passage of time rather than the achievement of Management Objectives, the period of time shall be no shorter than one year. If the earning or vesting of, or elimination of restrictions applicable to, awards granted under this Section 9 is based on the achievement of Management Objectives, the earning, vesting or restriction period may not terminate sooner than after one year.

(e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, any grant of an award under this Section 9 may provide for the earning or vesting of, or earlier elimination of restrictions applicable to, such award, including in the event of the retirement, death or disability of the Participant, or in the event of a Change in Control; provided, however, that no such adjustment will be made in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than in connection with the death or disability of the Participant or a Change in Control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code. In such event, the Evidence of Award will specify the time and terms of delivery.

10. Administration of this Plan.

(a) This Plan will be administered by the Committee. The Committee may from time to time delegate all or any part of its authority under this Plan to a subcommittee thereof. To the extent of any such delegation, references in this Plan to the Committee will be deemed to be references to such subcommittee.

(b) The interpretation and construction by the Committee of any provision of this Plan or of any Evidence of Award (or related documents) and any determination by the Committee pursuant to any provision of this Plan or of any such agreement, notification or document will be final and conclusive. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any such action or determination made in good faith. In addition, the Committee is authorized to take any action it determines in its sole discretion to be appropriate subject only to the express limitations contained in this Plan, and no authorization in any Plan Section or other provision of this Plan is intended or may be deemed to constitute a limitation on the authority of the Committee.

(c) To the extent permitted by law, the Committee may delegate to one or more of its members or to one or more officers of the Company, or to one or more agents or advisors, such administrative duties or powers as it may deem advisable, and the Committee, the subcommittee, or any person to whom duties or powers have been delegated as aforesaid, may employ one or more persons to render advice with respect to any responsibility the Committee, the subcommittee or such person may have under the Plan. The Committee may, by resolution, authorize one or more officers of the Company to do one or both of the following on the same basis as the Committee: (i) designate employees to be recipients of awards under this Plan; and (ii) determine the size of any

 

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such awards; provided, however, that (A) the Committee will not delegate such responsibilities to any such officer for awards granted to an employee who is an officer, Director, or more than 10% beneficial owner of any class of the Company’s equity securities that is registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, as determined by the Committee in accordance with Section 16 of the Exchange Act, or any Covered Employee; (B) the resolution providing for such authorization sets forth the total number of Common Shares such officer(s) may grant; and (C) the officer(s) will report periodically to the Committee regarding the nature and scope of the awards granted pursuant to the authority delegated.

11. Adjustments. The Committee shall make or provide for such adjustments in the numbers of Common Shares covered by outstanding Option Rights, Appreciation Rights, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units granted hereunder and, if applicable, in the number of Common Shares covered by other awards granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof, in the Option Price and Base Price provided in outstanding Option Rights and Appreciation Rights, in the kind of shares covered thereby, in Cash Incentive Awards, and in other award terms, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, shall determine is equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Participants or Optionees that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing. Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event or in the event of a Change in Control, the Committee shall provide in substitution for any or all outstanding awards under this Plan such alternative consideration (including cash), if any, as it, in good faith, shall determine to be equitable in the circumstances and shall require in connection therewith the surrender of all awards so replaced in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code. In addition, for each Option Right or Appreciation Right with an Option Price or Base Price greater than the consideration offered in connection with any such transaction or event or Change in Control, the Committee may in its discretion elect to cancel such Option Right or Appreciation Right without any payment to the person holding such Option Right or Appreciation Right. The Committee shall also make or provide for such adjustments in the numbers of shares specified in Section 3 of this Plan as the Committee in its sole discretion, exercised in good faith, shall determine is appropriate to reflect any transaction or event described in this Section 11; provided, however, that any such adjustment to the number specified in Section 3(b) will be made only if and to the extent that such adjustment would not cause any Option Right intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option to fail to so qualify.

12. Change in Control. For purposes of this Plan, except as may be otherwise prescribed by the Committee in an Evidence of Award made under this Plan, a “Change in Control” will be deemed to have occurred upon the occurrence (after the Effective Date) of any of the following events:

(a) the Company is merged, consolidated or reorganized into or with another corporation or other legal person, and immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization less than a majority of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person immediately after such transaction are held in the aggregate by the holders of Voting Stock (as that term is defined below) of the Company immediately prior to such transaction;

(b) the Company sells all or substantially all of its assets to any other corporation or other legal person, and less than a majority of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities of such corporation or person immediately after such sale are held in the aggregate by the holders of Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to such sale;

(c) any person (as the term “person” is used in Section 13(d)(3) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) becomes the beneficial owner (as the term “beneficial owner” is defined under Rule 13d-3 or any successor rule or regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act) of securities representing 30% or more of the combined voting power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors of the Company (“Voting Stock”); or

 

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(d) if during any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of any such period constitute the Directors of the Company cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (d), each Director who is first elected, or first nominated for election by the Company’s shareholders by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors of the Company (or a committee thereof) then still in office who were Directors of the Company at the beginning of any such period will be deemed to have been a Director of the Company at the beginning of such period (but excluding for purposes of this proviso any individual whose initially becomes a Director as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual, corporation, partnership, group, associate or other entity or person other than the Board).

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 12, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of the Plan solely because (i) the Company, (ii) an entity in which the Company directly or indirectly beneficially owns 50% or more of the voting securities or interest, or (iii) any Company-sponsored employee stock ownership plan or any other employee benefit plan of the Company, either files or becomes obligated to file a report or a proxy statement under or in response to Schedule 13D, Schedule 14D-l, Form 8-K or Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule, form or report or item therein) under the Exchange Act, disclosing beneficial ownership by it of shares of Voting Stock, whether in excess of 30% or otherwise, or because the Company reports that a change in control of the Company has or may have occurred or will or may occur in the future by reason of such beneficial ownership.

13. Detrimental Activity and Recapture Provisions. Any Evidence of Award may provide for the cancellation or forfeiture of an award or the forfeiture and repayment to the Company of any gain related to an award, or other provisions intended to have a similar effect, upon such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Committee from time to time, if a Participant, either (a) during employment or other service with the Company or a Subsidiary or (b) within a specified period after termination of such employment or service, shall engage in any detrimental activity. In addition, notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, any Evidence of Award may also provide for the cancellation or forfeiture of an award or the forfeiture and repayment to the Company of any gain related to an award, or other provisions intended to have a similar effect, upon such terms and conditions as may be required by the Committee or under Section 10D of the Exchange Act and any applicable rules or regulations promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission or any national securities exchange or national securities association on which the Common Shares may be traded.

14. Non U.S. Participants. In order to facilitate the making of any grant or combination of grants under this Plan, the Committee may provide for such special terms for awards to Participants who are foreign nationals or who are employed by the Company or any Subsidiary outside of the United States of America or who provide services to the Company under an agreement with a foreign nation or agency, as the Committee may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom. Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of this Plan (including, without limitation, sub-plans) as it may consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes, without thereby affecting the terms of this Plan as in effect for any other purpose, and the Secretary or other appropriate officer of the Company may certify any such document as having been approved and adopted in the same manner as this Plan. No such special terms, supplements, amendments or restatements, however, will include any provisions that are inconsistent with the terms of this Plan as then in effect unless this Plan could have been amended to eliminate such inconsistency without further approval by the shareholders of the Company.

15. Transferability.

(a) Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, no Option Right, Appreciation Right, Restricted Shares, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Share, Performance Unit, Cash Incentive Award, award contemplated by Section 9 of this Plan or dividend equivalents paid with respect to awards made under this Plan will be transferable by the Participant except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. In no event will any

 

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such award granted under the Plan be transferred for value. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, Option Rights and Appreciation Rights will be exercisable during the Participant’s lifetime only by him or her or, in the event of the Participant’s legal incapacity to do so, by his or her guardian or legal representative acting on behalf of the Participant in a fiduciary capacity under state law or court supervision.

(b) The Committee may specify at the Date of Grant that part or all of the Common Shares that are (i) to be issued or transferred by the Company upon the exercise of Option Rights or Appreciation Rights, upon the termination of the Restriction Period applicable to Restricted Stock Units or upon payment under any grant of Performance Shares or Performance Units or (ii) no longer subject to the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer referred to in Section 6 of this Plan, will be subject to further restrictions on transfer.

16. Withholding Taxes. To the extent that the Company is required to withhold federal, state, local or foreign taxes in connection with any payment made or benefit realized by a Participant or other person under this Plan, and the amounts available to the Company for such withholding are insufficient, it will be a condition to the receipt of such payment or the realization of such benefit that the Participant or such other person make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for payment of the balance of such taxes required to be withheld, which arrangements (in the discretion of the Committee) may include relinquishment of a portion of such benefit. If a Participant’s benefit is to be received in the form of Common Shares, and such Participant fails to make arrangements for the payment of tax, then, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Company will withhold Common Shares having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld. Notwithstanding the foregoing, when a Participant is required to pay the Company an amount required to be withheld under applicable income and employment tax laws, the Participant may elect, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, to satisfy the obligation, in whole or in part, by having withheld, from the shares required to be delivered to the Participant, Common Shares having a value equal to the amount required to be withheld or by delivering to the Company other Common Shares held by such Participant. The shares used for tax withholding will be valued at an amount equal to the market value of such Common Shares on the date the benefit is to be included in Participant’s income. In no event will the market value of the Common Shares to be withheld and delivered pursuant to this Section to satisfy applicable withholding taxes in connection with the benefit exceed the minimum amount of taxes required to be withheld. Participants will also make such arrangements as the Company may require for the payment of any withholding tax obligation that may arise in connection with the disposition of Common Shares acquired upon the exercise of Option Rights.

17. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

(a) To the extent applicable, it is intended that this Plan and any grants made hereunder comply with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code, so that the income inclusion provisions of Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code do not apply to the Participants. This Plan and any grants made hereunder will be administered in a manner consistent with this intent. Any reference in this Plan to Section 409A of the Code will also include any regulations or any other formal guidance promulgated with respect to such Section by the U.S. Department of the Treasury or the Internal Revenue Service.

(b) Neither a Participant nor any of a Participant’s creditors or beneficiaries will have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable under this Plan and grants hereunder to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment. Except as permitted under Section 409A of the Code, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable to a Participant or for a Participant’s benefit under this Plan and grants hereunder may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by a Participant to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

(c) If, at the time of a Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code), (i) the Participant will be a specified employee (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and using the identification methodology selected by the Company from time to time) and (ii) the Company makes a

 

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good faith determination that an amount payable hereunder constitutes deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) the payment of which is required to be delayed pursuant to the six-month delay rule set forth in Section 409A of the Code in order to avoid taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code, then the Company will not pay such amount on the otherwise scheduled payment date but will instead pay it, without interest, on the fifth business day of the seventh month after such separation from service.

(d) Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan and grants hereunder to the contrary, in light of the uncertainty with respect to the proper application of Section 409A of the Code, the Company reserves the right to make amendments to this Plan and grants hereunder as the Company deems necessary or desirable to avoid the imposition of taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. In any case, a Participant will be solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may be imposed on a Participant or for a Participant’s account in connection with this Plan and grants hereunder (including any taxes and penalties under Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Company nor any of its affiliates will have any obligation to indemnify or otherwise hold a Participant harmless from any or all of such taxes or penalties.

18. Amendments.

(a) The Board may at any time and from time to time amend this Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that if an amendment to this Plan (i) would materially increase the benefits accruing to participants under this Plan, (ii) would materially increase the number of securities which may be issued under this Plan, (iii) would materially modify the requirements for participation in this Plan, or (iv) must otherwise be approved by the shareholders of the Company in order to comply with applicable law or the rules of the Nasdaq Stock Market or, if the Common Shares are not traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market, the principal national securities exchange upon which the Common Shares are traded or quoted, then, such amendment will be subject to shareholder approval and will not be effective unless and until such approval has been obtained.

(b) Except in connection with a corporate transaction or event described in Section 11 of this Plan, the terms of outstanding awards may not be amended to reduce the Option Price of outstanding Option Rights or the Base Price of outstanding Appreciation Rights, or cancel outstanding Option Rights or Appreciation Rights in exchange for cash, other awards or Option Rights or Appreciation Rights with an Option Price or Base Price, as applicable, that is less than the Option Price of the original Option Rights or Base Price of the original Appreciation Rights, as applicable, without shareholder approval. This Section 18(b) is intended to prohibit the repricing of “underwater” Option Rights and Appreciation Rights and will not be construed to prohibit the adjustments provided for in Section 11 of this Plan. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, this Section 18(b) may not be amended without approval by the Company’s shareholders.

(c) If permitted by Section 409A of the Code and Section 162(m) of the Code, but subject to the paragraph that follows, including in the case of termination of employment by reason of death, disability or retirement, or in the case of unforeseeable emergency or other special circumstances or in the event of a Change in Control, to the extent a Participant holds an Option Right or Appreciation Right not immediately exercisable in full, or any Restricted Shares as to which the substantial risk of forfeiture or the prohibition or restriction on transfer has not lapsed, or any Restricted Stock Units as to which the Restriction Period has not been completed, or any Cash Incentive Awards, Performance Shares or Performance Units which have not been fully earned, or any other awards made pursuant to Section 9 subject to any vesting schedule or transfer restriction, or who holds Common Shares subject to any transfer restriction imposed pursuant to Section 15(b) of this Plan, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the time at which such Option Right, Appreciation Right or other award may be exercised or the time at which such substantial risk of forfeiture or prohibition or restriction on transfer will lapse or the time when such Restriction Period will end or the time at which such Cash Incentive Awards, Performance Shares or Performance Units will be deemed to have been fully earned or the time when such transfer restriction will terminate or may waive any other limitation or requirement under any such award, except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code.

 

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(d) Subject to Section 18(b) hereof, the Committee may amend the terms of any award theretofore granted under this Plan prospectively or retroactively, except in the case of a Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than in connection with the Participant’s death or disability, or a Change in Control) where such action would result in the loss of the otherwise available exemption of the award under Section 162(m) of the Code. In such case, the Committee will not make any modification of the Management Objectives or the level or levels of achievement with respect to such Qualified Performance-Based Award. Subject to Section 11 above, no such amendment will impair the rights of any Participant without his or her consent. The Board may, in its discretion, terminate this Plan at any time. Termination of this Plan will not affect the rights of Participants or their successors under any awards outstanding hereunder and not exercised in full on the date of termination.

19. Governing Law. This Plan and all grants and awards and actions taken hereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws of the State of Ohio.

20. Effective Date/Termination. This Plan will be effective as of the Effective Date. No grants will be made on or after the Effective Date under the Predecessor Plan, except that outstanding awards granted under the Predecessor Plan will continue unaffected following the Effective Date. No grant will be made under this Plan after May 27, 2025, but all grants made on or prior to such date will continue in effect thereafter subject to the terms thereof and of this Plan.

21. Miscellaneous Provisions.

(a) The Company will not be required to issue any fractional Common Shares pursuant to this Plan. The Committee may provide for the elimination of fractions or for the settlement of fractions in cash.

(b) This Plan will not confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment or other service with the Company or any Subsidiary, nor will it interfere in any way with any right the Company or any Subsidiary would otherwise have to terminate such Participant’s employment or other service at any time.

(c) Except with respect to Section 21(e), to the extent that any provision of this Plan would prevent any Option Right that was intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option from qualifying as such, that provision will be null and void with respect to such Option Right. Such provision, however, will remain in effect for other Option Rights and there will be no further effect on any provision of this Plan.

(d) No award under this Plan may be exercised by the holder thereof if such exercise, and the receipt of cash or stock thereunder, would be, in the opinion of counsel selected by the Company, contrary to law or the regulations of any duly constituted authority having jurisdiction over this Plan.

(e) Absence on leave approved by a duly constituted officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries will not be considered interruption or termination of service of any employee for any purposes of this Plan or awards granted hereunder.

(f) No Participant will have any rights as a shareholder with respect to any shares subject to awards granted to him or her under this Plan prior to the date as of which he or she is actually recorded as the holder of such shares upon the stock records of the Company.

(g) The Committee may condition the grant of any award or combination of awards authorized under this Plan on the surrender or deferral by the Participant of his or her right to receive a cash bonus or other compensation otherwise payable by the Company or a Subsidiary to the Participant.

(h) Except with respect to Option Rights and Appreciation Rights, the Committee may permit Participants to elect to defer the issuance of Common Share under the Plan pursuant to such rules, procedures or programs as it may establish for purposes of this Plan and which are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. The Committee also may provide that deferred issuances and settlements include the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents or interest on the deferral amounts.

 

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(i) If any provision of this Plan is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or would disqualify this Plan or any award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision will be construed or deemed amended or limited in scope to conform to applicable laws or, in the discretion of the Committee, it will be stricken and the remainder of this Plan will remain in full force and effect.

22. Stock-Based Awards in Substitution for Option Rights or Awards Granted by Other Company. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary:

(a) Awards may be granted under this Plan in substitution for or in conversion of, or in connection with an assumption of, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other stock or stock-based awards held by awardees of an entity engaging in a corporate acquisition or merger transaction with the Company or any Subsidiary. Any conversion, substitution or assumption will be effective as of the close of the merger or acquisition, and, to the extent applicable, will be conducted in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code. The awards so granted may reflect the original terms of the awards being assumed or substituted or converted for and need not comply with other specific terms of this Plan, and may account for Common Shares substituted for the securities covered by the original awards and the number of shares subject to the original awards, as well as any exercise or purchase prices applicable to the original awards, adjusted to account for differences in stock prices in connection with the transaction.

(b) In the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Subsidiary or with which the Company or any Subsidiary merges has shares available under a pre-existing plan previously approved by stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or merger, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, to reflect such acquisition or merger) may be used for awards made after such acquisition or merger under the Plan; provided, however, that awards using such available shares may not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan absent the acquisition or merger, and may only be made to individuals who were not employees or directors of the Company or any Subsidiary prior to such acquisition or merger.

(c) Any Common Shares that are issued or transferred by, or that are subject to any awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Company under Sections 22(a) or 22(b) above will not reduce the Common Shares available for issuance or transfer under the Plan or otherwise count against the limits contained in Section 3 of the Plan. In addition, no Common Shares that are issued or transferred by, or that are subject to any awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Company under Sections 22(a) or 22(b) above will be added to the aggregate plan limit contained in Section 3 of the Plan.

 

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APPENDIX B

PARK-OHIO INDUSTRIES, INC.

ANNUAL CASH BONUS PLAN

1. Purpose. The purpose of the Annual Cash Bonus Plan (the “Plan”) is to attract and retain key executives for Park-Ohio Industries, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the “Company”), and its Subsidiaries and to provide such persons with incentives for superior performance. Incentive Bonus payments made under the Plan are intended to constitute qualified “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Section 1.162-27 of the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and the Plan shall be construed consistently with such intention.

2. Definitions. As used in this Plan,

“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.

“Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board or any other committee appointed by the Board to administer the Plan; provided, however, that in any event the Committee shall be comprised of not less than two directors of the Company, each of whom shall qualify as an “outside director” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code and Section 1.162-27(e)(3) of the Regulations.

“Eligible Executive” means the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and any other executive officer of the Company designated by the Committee.

“Incentive Bonus” shall mean, for each Eligible Executive, a bonus opportunity amount determined by the Committee pursuant to Section 5 below.

“Management Objectives” means the achievement of a performance objective or objectives established pursuant to this Plan for Eligible Executives. Management Objectives may be described in terms of Company-wide objectives or objectives that are related to the performance of the individual Eligible Executive or of the Subsidiary, division, department or function within the Company or Subsidiary in which the Eligible Executive is employed. Management Objectives may be measured on a relative or absolute basis. The Management Objectives shall be limited to specified levels of, growth in or relative peer company performance in one or more or a combination of the following: (i) earnings per share; (ii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization; (iii) earnings before interest and taxes; (iv) earnings before taxes; (v) return on invested capital; (vi) return on total capital; (vii) return on assets; (viii) return on equity; (ix) total shareholder return; (x) growth in net income, revenue, cash flow, or operating profit; and/or (xi) productivity improvement.

“Regulations” mean the Treasury Regulations promulgated under the Code, as amended from time to time.

“Subsidiary” means a corporation, partnership, joint venture, unincorporated association or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect ownership or other equity interest.

3. Administration of the Plan. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have full power and authority to construe, interpret and administer the Plan and shall have the exclusive right to establish Management Objectives and the amount of Incentive Bonus payable to each Eligible Executive upon the achievement of the specified Management Objectives.

4. Eligibility. Eligibility under this Plan is limited to Eligible Executives designated by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion.

 

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5. Awards.

(a) Not later than the 90th day of each fiscal year of the Company, the Committee shall establish the Management Objectives for each Eligible Executive and the amount of Incentive Bonus payable (or formula for determining such amount) upon full achievement of the specified Management Objectives. The Committee may further specify in respect of the specified Management Objectives a minimum acceptable level of achievement below which no Incentive Bonus payment will be made and shall set forth a formula for determining the amount of any payment to be made if performance is at or above the minimum acceptable level but falls short of full achievement of the specified Management Objectives. The Committee may not modify any terms of awards established pursuant to this section, except to the extent that after such modification the Incentive Bonus would continue to constitute qualified “performance-based compensation” for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Code.

(b) The Committee retains the discretion to reduce the amount of any Incentive Bonus that would be otherwise payable to an Eligible Executive (including a reduction in such amount to zero).

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event shall the Incentive Bonus paid to an Eligible Executive under the Plan for a year exceed $5,000,000.

6. Committee Certification. As soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, the Committee shall determine whether the Management Objective has been achieved and the amount of the Incentive Bonus to be paid to each Eligible Executive for such fiscal year and shall certify such determinations in writing.

7. Payment of Incentive Bonuses. Subject to a valid election made by an Eligible Executive with respect to the deferral of all or a portion of his or her Incentive Bonus, Incentive Bonuses shall be paid within 30 days after written certification pursuant to Section 6, but in no event later than two and a half months from the end of the Company’s fiscal year.

8. No Right to Bonus or Continued Employment. Neither the establishment of the Plan, the provision for or payment of any amounts hereunder nor any action of the Company, the Board or the Committee with respect to the Plan shall be held or construed to confer upon any person (a) any legal right to receive, or any interest in, an Incentive Bonus or any other benefit under the Plan or (b) any legal right to continue to serve as an officer or employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.

9. Withholding. The Company shall have the right to withhold, or require an Eligible Executive to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax requirements imposed with respect to the payment of any Incentive Bonus.

10. Non-transferability. Except as expressly provided by the Committee, the rights and benefits under the Plan shall not be transferable or assignable other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

11. Effective Date. Subject to its approval by the stockholders, this Plan shall become effective May 28, 2015, and shall remain effective until the first shareholders’ meeting in 2020, subject to any further stockholder approvals (or re-approvals) mandated for performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code, and subject to the right of the Board to terminate the Plan, on a prospective basis only, at any time.

 

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     LOGO
 

 

 

Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.

 

  
  IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING INFORMATION    
LOGO     

 

Using a black ink pen, mark your votes with an X as shown in
this example. Please do  not write outside the designated areas.
   x

 

LOGO

q  PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.  q

 

 

 

  A     Proposals — The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees listed below in Proposal 1 and FOR Proposals 2, 3 and 4.
                   

            +

1.   ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:   For     Withhold     For     Withhold     For     Withhold  
  01 - Patrick V. Auletta   ¨     ¨           02 - Edward F. Crawford   ¨     ¨           03 - James W. Wert   ¨     ¨  

 

    For       Against       Abstain       For       Against       Abstain
2.   RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2015.   ¨       ¨       ¨   3.   APPROVAL OF THE PARK-OHIO HOLDINGS CORP. 2015 EQUITY AND INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN.   ¨       ¨       ¨
4.   APPROVAL OF THE PARK-OHIO HOLDINGS CORP. ANNUAL CASH BONUS PLAN, AS AMENDED.   ¨       ¨       ¨   5.   THE PROXIES ARE AUTHORIZED, IN THEIR DISCRETION, TO VOTE UPON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT, POSTPONEMENT OR CONTINUATION THEREOF.

 

 

  B     Authorized Signatures — This section must be completed for your vote to be counted. — Date and Sign Below

Please sign exactly as name(s) appears hereon. Joint owners should each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, corporate officer, trustee, guardian, or custodian, please give full title.

 

Date (mm/dd/yyyy) — Please print date below.

 

    Signature 1 — Please keep signature within the box.     Signature 2 — Please keep signature within the box.
       /       /                    

 

 

 

 

LOGO

                             02253B


 

q  PLEASE FOLD ALONG THE PERFORATION, DETACH AND RETURN THE BOTTOM PORTION IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.  q

 

 

 

 

Proxy — Park-Ohio Holdings Corp.

 

 

PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ronna Romney and Steven H. Rosen, or either of them, are hereby authorized, with full power of substitution, to represent and vote the common stock of the signed shareholder(s) at the annual meeting of shareholders of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. to be held at Cuyahoga Community College, Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Rd., Room 238, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128, on May 28, 2015.

You are encouraged to specify your choices by marking the appropriate boxes on the reverse, but you need not mark any boxes if you wish to vote in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. The proxies cannot vote your shares unless you sign and return this card. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR all nominees listed on the reverse in proposal 1 and FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4.

If this Proxy is properly executed and returned, shares represented hereby will be voted in the manner specified by the shareholder. If no specification is made, shares will be voted FOR the election of persons nominated as directors pursuant to the Proxy Statement and FOR proposals 2, 3 and 4.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PARTICIPANTS IN THE INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT RETIREMENT PLAN OF PARK-OHIO INDUSTRIES, INC. AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES

To The Charles Schwab Trust Company, Trustee of the Individual Account Retirement Plan of Park-Ohio Industries, Inc. and Its Subsidiaries (the “Plan”): The signed shareholder, a participant in the Plan, hereby directs the Trustee to vote in person or by proxy (a) all shares of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. common stock credited to the signed shareholder’s account under the Plan on the record date (“allocated shares”); and (b) the proportional number of shares of common stock of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. allocated to the accounts of other participants in the Plan, but for which the Trustee does not receive valid voting instructions (“non-directed shares”) and as to which the signed shareholder is entitled to direct the voting in accordance with the Plan provisions at the annual meeting of shareholders of Park-Ohio Holdings Corp. to be held at Cuyahoga Community College, Corporate College East, 4400 Richmond Rd., Room 238, Warrensville Heights, Ohio 44128, on May 28, 2015 and any and all adjournments, postponements, or continuations thereof. Under the Plan, shares allocated to the accounts of participants for which the Trustee does not receive timely directions in the form of a signed proxy card are voted by the Trustee as directed by the participants who timely tender a signed proxy card. By completing this proxy card and returning it to the Trustee, you are authorizing the Trustee to vote allocated shares and a proportionate amount of the non-directed shares held in the Plan. The number of non-directed shares for which you may instruct the Trustee to vote will depend on how many other participants exercise their right to direct the voting of their allocated shares. Any participant wishing to vote the non-directed shares differently from the allocated shares may do so by requesting a separate proxy card form from the Trustee at 800-724-7526.

(Continued and to be signed on reverse)