def14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C., 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
PROXY STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(a) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (AMENDMENT NO. )
Filed by the registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
|
|
|
|
|
[ ] Preliminary proxy statement |
|
[ ]
|
|
Confidential, for Use of the
Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
[X] Definitive proxy statement |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[ ] Definitive additional materials |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
[ ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 |
|
|
|
|
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
|
|
|
[X] |
|
No fee required. |
|
|
|
[ ] |
|
Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
(2) |
|
Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: |
|
(3) |
|
Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
|
(4) |
|
Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
|
(5) |
|
Total fee paid: |
|
[ ] |
|
Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
|
[ ] |
|
Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee
was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing. |
|
|
|
(1) |
|
Amount previously paid: |
|
(2) |
|
Form, schedule or registration statement no.: |
|
(3) |
|
Filing party: |
|
(4) |
|
Date filed: |
|
NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF
THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
St. Louis, Missouri
December 20, 2006
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.:
The Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of ESCO Technologies Inc.
will be held at the Companys headquarters located at 9900A
Clayton Road, St. Louis County, Missouri 63124 on Friday,
February 2, 2007, commencing at 9:30 A.M.
St. Louis time, at which meeting only holders of record of
the Companys common stock at the close of business on
December 6, 2006 will be entitled to vote, for the
following purposes:
1. To elect two directors;
2. To vote on a proposal to ratify the Companys
selection of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2007; and
3. To transact such other and further business, if any, as
lawfully may be brought before the meeting.
|
|
|
|
BY |
|
|
|
|
Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President |
Secretary
Even though you may plan to attend the meeting in person,
please execute the enclosed form of proxy and mail it promptly.
A return envelope which requires no postage if mailed in the
United States is enclosed for your convenience.
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
9900A Clayton Road, St. Louis, Missouri 63124
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD
FEBRUARY 2, 2007
This proxy statement is furnished to the holders of all of the
issued and outstanding shares of common stock (the Common
Shares) of ESCO Technologies Inc. (the
Company) in connection with the solicitation of
proxies for use in connection with the Annual Meeting of the
Stockholders to be held February 2, 2007, and all
adjournments thereof, for the purposes set forth in the
accompanying Notice of the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders.
Such holders are hereinafter referred to as the
Stockholders. The Company is first mailing this
proxy statement and the enclosed form of proxy to Stockholders
on or about December 20, 2006.
Whether or not you expect to be present in person at the
meeting, you are requested to fill in, sign, date and return the
enclosed form of proxy. If you attend the meeting, you may vote
by ballot. If you do not attend the meeting, the Common Shares
can be voted only when represented by a properly executed proxy.
In this case you have several choices:
|
|
|
|
|
You may vote on each proposal when returning the enclosed proxy
form, in which case the Common Shares will be voted in
accordance with your choices. |
|
|
|
You may, when appropriate, indicate a preference to abstain on
any proposal, which will have the effect described in
VOTING on page 20. |
|
|
|
You may return a properly executed proxy form without indicating
your preferences, in which case the proxies will vote the Common
Shares FOR election of the directors nominated by the Board of
Directors and FOR the proposal to ratify the Companys
selection of KPMG LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal
year ending September 30, 2007, and in their discretion on
such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
Any person giving such proxy has the right to revoke it at any
time before it is voted by giving written notice of revocation
to the Secretary of the Company, by duly executing and
delivering a proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the
Annual Meeting and casting a contrary vote in person.
The close of business on December 6, 2006 was fixed as the
record date for the determination of the Stockholders entitled
to vote at the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders. As of the
record date, 25,887,703 Common Shares were outstanding and
entitled to be voted at such meeting. The Stockholders will be
entitled to cast one vote for each Common Share held of record
on the record date.
A copy of the Companys Annual Report to Stockholders for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 accompanies this
proxy statement.
The solicitation of this proxy is made by the Board of Directors
of the Company. The solicitation will be by mail, and the
expense thereof will be paid by the Company. Proxies may also be
solicited by telephone, email or telefax by directors, officers
or regular employees of the Company.
2
I. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR
election of V.L. Richey, Jr. and J.M. Stolze, the two
nominees for Directors listed below.
Nominees and Continuing Directors
The Companys Bylaws provide that the number of directors
shall not be less than three nor greater than ten, and shall be
determined from time to time by majority vote of the Board of
Directors. In accordance with the Bylaws, the Board of Directors
has fixed the number of directors at seven. The Board is divided
into three classes, with the terms of office of each class
ending in successive years. Two directors of the Company are to
be elected for terms expiring at the Annual Meeting in 2010, or
until their respective successors have been elected and have
qualified. Certain information with respect to the nominees for
election as directors proposed by the Company and the other
directors whose terms of office as directors will continue after
the Annual Meeting is set forth below. Should any one or more of
the nominees be unable or unwilling to serve (which is not
expected), the proxies (except proxies marked to the contrary)
will be voted for such other person or persons as the Board of
Directors of the Company may recommend. Proxies cannot be voted
for more than two nominees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Name, Age, Principal Occupation or |
|
Served as |
Position, Other Directorships |
|
Director Since |
|
|
|
TO BE ELECTED FOR TERMS ENDING IN 2010
|
|
|
|
|
V.L. Richey, Jr., 49
|
|
|
2002 |
|
|
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company
|
|
|
|
|
J.M. Stolze, 63
|
|
|
1999 |
|
|
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Stereotaxis, Inc.,
manufacturer of medical instruments |
|
|
|
|
TO CONTINUE IN OFFICE UNTIL 2009
|
|
|
|
|
J.M. McConnell, 65
|
|
|
1996 |
|
|
Retired Chief Executive Officer, Instron Corporation,
manufacturer of scientific instruments
|
|
|
|
|
D.C. Trauscht, 73
|
|
|
1991 |
|
|
Chairman, BW Capital Corporation, private investment company
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director of OMI Corporation and Bourns Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
TO CONTINUE IN OFFICE UNTIL 2008
|
|
|
|
|
W.S. Antle III, 62
|
|
|
1994 |
|
|
Former Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Oak
Industries, Inc., manufacturer of engineered products for the
telecommunications industry
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director of John H. Harland Company and Checkpoint Systems, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
L.W. Solley, 64
|
|
|
1999 |
|
|
Retired Executive Vice President, Emerson Electric Co.,
manufacturer of electrical and other products
|
|
|
|
|
J.D. Woods, 75
|
|
|
2001 |
|
|
Chairman Emeritus and retired Chief Executive Officer, Baker
Hughes Incorporated, supplier of oilfield equipment and services
|
|
|
|
|
|
Director of National Oilwell Varco, Inc., OMI Corporation,
United States Enrichment Corporation, Foster Wheeler Ltd. and
Complete Production Services, Inc.
|
|
|
|
|
C.J. Kretschmer, who was elected at the last Annual Meeting,
resigned as a director effective August 3, 2006.
3
Each of the nominees and continuing directors has had the same
position with the same employer as stated in the preceding table
during the past five years, except as follows:
Mr. Richey was President and Chief Operating Officer of the
Company from August 2001 to October 2002. Since October 2002, he
has been Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Since April
2003, he has also been Chairman, and since September 30,
2006, he has also been President.
From June 1995 until December 2003, Mr. Stolze was
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of MEMC
Electronic Materials, Inc. Since May 2004, he has been Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer of Stereotaxis, Inc.
From November 1992 until February 2002, Mr. Solley was
Executive Vice President of Emerson Electric Co.
Board of Directors and Committees
In connection with its annual review of director independence,
the Board of Directors determined that the following director
relationships with the Company pose no risk of a conflict of
interest, are categorically immaterial to the Boards
determination of a directors independence, and therefore
such relationships will not be considered by the Board when
determining the independence of a director: the employment by a
director as an executive officer of another company that has
made payments to the Company of less than $200,000 in any fiscal
year in the preceding three fiscal years for property and
services sold by the Company in the ordinary course of business
and on substantially the same terms and prices as those
prevailing at the time for comparable transactions with
non-affiliated persons, provided such payments did not exceed
five percent (5%) of such other companys consolidated
gross revenues in such fiscal year and resulted in no special
benefit to the director. Other than relationships deemed
categorically immaterial as described above, the Board has
determined that none of the non-management directors has any
relationship with the Company other than in his capacity as a
director and shareholder, and, as a result, such directors are
determined to be independent under the standards of the New York
Stock Exchange. The non-management directors are W.S.
Antle III, J.M. McConnell, L.W. Solley, J.M. Stolze, D.C.
Trauscht and J.D. Woods.
There were five meetings of the Board of Directors during fiscal
year 2006. All of the incumbent directors attended at least 75%
of the meetings of the Board and committees on which they
served. The Companys policy requires the attendance of all
directors at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders, except for
absences due to causes beyond the reasonable control of the
director. Each of the eight directors in office at the time of
the 2006 Annual Meeting attended that meeting.
The many responsibilities and the substantial time commitment of
being a director of a public company require that the Company
provide adequate incentives for the directors continued
performance by paying compensation commensurate with the
directors expertise and duties. The non-management
directors are compensated based upon their respective levels of
Board participation and responsibilities, including service on
Board committees. Directors who are employees of the Company do
not receive any compensation for service as directors.
Compensation paid to non-management directors is as follows:
annual cash retainer for each non-management
director $20,000; additional annual cash retainer
for Lead Director $15,000; annual fee for Board
meetings $4,800; annual cash retainer for Chairman
of Audit and Finance Committee $7,000; annual cash
retainer for Chairman of Human Resources and Compensation and
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees
$5,000; annual fee for meetings of Audit and Finance Committee
and Human Resources and Compensation Committee
$4,800; annual fee for meetings of Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee $6,000. In addition, each
non-management director receives a retainer of 800 Common
Shares per quarter. All of the above-mentioned cash retainers
and fees are paid in January of each year.
Under the Companys extended compensation plan for
non-management directors who began Board service prior to April
2001, each director currently on the Board who has served as a
non-management director for at least five years or whose tenure
as a director expires pursuant to the Companys Bylaws
restriction regarding maximum age for election will, after the
later of termination of services as a director or reaching
4
age 65, receive for life a percentage of the fiscal year
2001 annual cash retainer for directors of $20,000. Such
percentage ranges from 50% to 100% based upon years of service
as a director. In the event of death of a retired director who
is eligible under this plan, 50% of the benefit will be paid to
the surviving spouse for life. On or after retirement, if the
eligible director so elects, the actuarial equivalent of the
benefit may be received in a single lump sum.
Directors may elect to defer receipt of all of their cash
compensation and/or all of their quarterly stock retainer. If
elected, the deferred amounts are credited to the
directors deferred compensation account in stock
equivalents. Deferred amounts will be distributed in Common
Shares or cash at such future dates as specified by the director
unless distribution is accelerated in certain circumstances,
including a change in control of the Company. The stock portion
which has been deferred may only be distributed in Common Shares.
Directors are covered by stock ownership guidelines. Under these
guidelines, each independent director is expected to accumulate
shares having a total cash value equal to five times the annual
cash retainer. These shares must be accumulated within five
years of guideline adoption or appointment to the Board. All
directors are in compliance with the guidelines.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The Board of Directors has adopted corporate governance
guidelines and a code of business conduct and ethics applicable
to all of the Companys directors, officers and employees.
These documents are posted on the Companys web site:
www.escotechnologies.com. A copy of each of the corporate
governance guidelines and the code of business conduct and
ethics is also available in print to any Stockholder who
requests it.
Mr. Trauscht, the Companys Lead Director, presides at
meetings of the non-management directors (each of whom is deemed
independent), which occur on a regular basis. Interested parties
who wish to make their concerns known to the Companys
non-management directors may communicate directly with the Lead
Director by writing to: Mr. D.C. Trauscht, Lead Director,
ESCO Technologies Inc., 9900A Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO
63124-1186.
COMMITTEES
The members of the Board of Directors are appointed to various
committees. The standing committees of the Board are: the
Executive Committee, the Audit and Finance Committee, the Human
Resources and Compensation Committee and the Nominating and
Corporate Governance Committee. Each of these committees
operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of
Directors.
The Executive Committees function is to exercise the full
authority of the Board of Directors between Board meetings,
except that the Executive Committee may not take certain
specified actions which the Board of Directors has reserved for
action by the whole Board. The Committee held no meetings in
fiscal year 2006. Mr. Richey (Chairman), Mr. Antle and
Mr. Trauscht are the members of the Committee.
The Audit and Finance Committees functions generally are
to assist oversight by the Board of Directors of the
Companys financial reporting process, the Companys
compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, the
independent auditors qualifications and independence, and
the performance of the Companys out-sourced internal audit
function and independent auditors. These functions include the
responsibility to appoint, retain and oversee the firm of
independent auditors performing the annual audit; to annually
evaluate the qualifications, independence and prior performance
of the independent auditors; to review the scope of the
auditors work and approve their annual audit fees and
their other non-audit service fees; to review the Companys
internal controls with the independent auditors and the internal
audit executive; to review with the independent auditors any
problems they may have encountered during the annual audit; to
discuss 10-K
and 10-Q reports
with management and independent auditors before filing; to
review and discuss earnings press releases; to discuss with
management major financial risk exposures; to review the annual
plan and associated resource allocation of the out-sourced
internal audit function; to review the Companys reports to
Stockholders with management and the independent auditors and
receive certain assurances from manage-
5
ment; to prepare a report as required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission to be included in the annual proxy
statement; and to review the effectiveness of the Companys
legal, regulatory and corporate governance compliance programs.
Each member of the Committee is an independent director, as
defined in the applicable listing standards of the New York
Stock Exchange. The Board of Directors has determined that
Mr. Stolze, a member of the Audit and Finance Committee, is
an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of
Item 401(h) of
Regulation S-K
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
Exchange Act), and is independent within the meaning
of Item 7(d)(3)(iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange
Act. The Committee met eight times in fiscal year 2006.
Mr. Antle (Chairman), Mr. McConnell and
Mr. Stolze are the members of the Committee. The
Committees charter is posted on the Companys
website: www.escotechnologies.com and is available in
print to any Stockholder who requests it.
The Human Resources and Compensation Committees functions
generally are to review and approve corporate goals and
objectives relevant to compensation of the Chief Executive
Officer; to evaluate the Chief Executive Officers
performance in light of these goals and objectives; to determine
and approve the Chief Executive Officers compensation
level based upon the evaluation; to review and approve the
compensation of officers and other key executives,
incentive-compensation plans, equity-based plans and other
compensation plans; to review and approve material changes to
benefit programs, including new programs; to review the
performance and development of Company management in achieving
corporate goals and objectives; to assure that executive
officers and other senior executives of the Company are
compensated in a manner consistent with the strategy of the
Company and competitive practice; to prepare a report on
executive compensation as required by the Securities and
Exchange Commission to be included in the annual proxy
statement; and to oversee the Charitable Contributions Program.
Each member of the Committee is an independent director, as
defined in the applicable listing standards of the New York
Stock Exchange. The Committee met five times in fiscal year
2006. Mr. Woods (Chairman), Mr. Solley and
Mr. Trauscht are the members of the Committee. The
Committees charter is posted on the Companys
website: www.escotechnologies.com and is available in
print to any Stockholder who requests it.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees
functions generally are to identify and recommend approval of
individuals qualified to become Board members; to recommend
director nominees for selection to the Board; to develop and
recommend to the Board effective corporate governance
guidelines; to oversee the Companys ethics programs; and
to lead the Board in its annual review of the Boards
performance. The Committee will consider candidates for election
as directors recommended by Stockholders and evaluate such
individuals in the same manner as other candidates proposed to
the Committee. All candidates must meet the legal, regulatory
and exchange requirements applicable to members of the Board of
Directors. The Committee has not established other specific
minimum qualifications that must be met by a candidate in order
to be considered for nomination by the Committee, but requires
that candidates have varied business and professional
backgrounds; be persons of the highest integrity; possess sound
business judgment and possess such other skills and experience
as will enable the Board to act in the long-term interests of
the Stockholders. Additionally, the Committee may establish and
utilize such other specific membership criteria as the Committee
deems appropriate from time to time in light of the Boards
need of specific skills and experience. The Committee may
identify new candidates for nomination based on recommendations
from Company management, employees, non-management directors,
third party search firms, Stockholders and other third parties.
Consideration of a new candidate typically involves the
Committees review of information pertaining to such
candidate and a series of internal discussions, and may proceed
to interviews with the candidate. New candidates are evaluated
based on the above-described criteria in light of the specific
needs of the Board and the Company at the time. Incumbent
directors whose terms are set to expire are evaluated based on
the above-described criteria, as well as a review of their
overall past performance on the Board of Directors. The
Committee has the authority to engage third party search firms
to identify candidates, but did not do so in fiscal year 2006.
Stockholders who wish to recommend director candidates for the
next Annual Meeting of Stockholders should notify the Committee
no later than August 28, 2007. Submissions are to be
addressed to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,
c/o the Companys Corporate Secretary, Alyson S.
Barclay, at ESCO Technologies Inc., 9900A Clayton Road,
St. Louis, MO
63124-1186, which
submissions will then be forwarded to the Committee. The
Committee is not obligated to nominate any such individual for
election. No such Stockholder candidates have been received by
the Company for this Annual
6
Meeting. Each member of the Committee has been determined by the
Board to be an independent director, as defined in the
applicable listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. The
Committee met five times in fiscal year 2006. Mr. Trauscht
(Chairman) and Mr. Solley are the members of the Committee.
The Committees charter is posted on the Companys
website: www.escotechnologies.com and is available in
print to any Stockholder who requests it.
Report of the Audit and Finance Committee
The Audit and Finance Committee (the Committee)
oversees and monitors the Companys financial reporting
process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the
primary responsibility for the financial statements and the
reporting process, including the Companys systems of
internal control. In fulfilling its oversight responsibilities,
the Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements to be included in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
year ended September 30, 2006 with management, including a
discussion of the quality and the acceptability of the
Companys financial reporting practices and the internal
controls over financial reporting.
The Committee reviewed with the independent auditors, who are
responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of those
audited financial statements with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America, their
judgments as to the quality and the acceptability of the
Companys financial reporting and such other matters as are
required to be discussed with the Committee under auditing
standards generally accepted in the United States of America. In
addition, the Committee discussed with the independent auditors
the auditors independence from management and the Company,
including the impact of non-audit-related services provided to
the Company and the matters in the auditors written
disclosures and the letter required by Standard No. 1 of
the Independence Standards Board received by the Company. The
Committee also discussed with the independent auditors the
matters required to be discussed by Statements on Auditing
Standards No. 61.
Further, the Committee discussed with the Companys
internal audit executive and independent auditors the overall
scope and plans for their respective audits. The Committee meets
periodically with the internal audit executive and independent
auditors, with and without management present, to discuss the
results of the examinations, their evaluations of the
Companys internal controls (including internal controls
over financial reporting), and the overall quality of the
Companys financial reporting.
In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above,
the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the
audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 for filing with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee also evaluated
and reappointed KPMG LLP as the Companys independent
auditors for fiscal 2007.
|
|
|
The Audit and Finance Committee |
|
|
W.S. Antle III, Chairman |
|
J.M. McConnell |
|
J.M. Stolze |
7
Executive Compensation
Report Of The Human Resources And Compensation Committee
On Executive Compensation
Introduction
The following report is provided by the Human Resources and
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the
Committee). The Committee supervises the
Companys Executive Compensation Program (the
Program) and is directly responsible for
compensation actions affecting the executive and other senior
officers of the Company. In this regard, the role of the
Committee is to oversee the Companys compensation plans
and policies, annually review and approve all decisions relative
to the executive officers compensation, and administer the
plans (including the review and approval of equity awards to
executive officers). The Committee is also responsible for
reviewing and supporting the corporate goals and objectives
relevant to CEO compensation and evaluating the CEOs
performance in light of those goals and objectives.
The Committees charter reflects these various
responsibilities, and the Committee and the Board periodically
review and revise the charter. The Committees membership
is determined by the Board and is composed entirely of
independent directors. The Committee meets at scheduled times
during the year, and it may also consider and take action by
unanimous written consent. The Committee Chairman reports on
Committee actions and recommendations at Board meetings. The
Companys Human Resources Department supports the Committee
in its work and in some cases acts pursuant to delegated
authority to fulfill various functions in administering the
Companys compensation programs. In addition, the Committee
has the authority to engage the services of outside advisers,
experts and others to assist the Committee.
Executive Compensation Philosophy
The Companys general executive compensation philosophy is
that total cash compensation should be tied to the
Companys performance in achieving financial and
non-financial objectives, and that long-term compensation should
be closely aligned with the Stockholders interests.
In furtherance of this philosophy, the Program is designed and
administered in such a way as to relate executive compensation
to four basic objectives:
|
|
|
|
|
Competitive Position: The Program is designed to pay
competitive compensation so the Company can attract and retain
highly qualified executives. To assist it in determining
competitive compensation practices, the Committee generally
utilizes information about compensation levels of peer companies
and other industrial companies (together, the Survey
Companies) provided by an independent executive
compensation consultant. The Committee generally seeks to set
target total cash executive compensation close to the median
levels of such companies so that it remains market competitive.
When total cash compensation varies from competitive levels, the
Committee makes appropriate adjustments over time through the
annual compensation planning process. For fiscal 2006, the
Committee utilized the fiscal 2005 report on executive
compensation prepared by a nationally-recognized, independent
executive compensation consultant retained by the Committee (the
Fiscal 2005 Consultant Report), and applied an
appropriate escalation factor to it for use in the review and
determination of fiscal 2006 compensation. |
|
|
|
Company Performance: The Program is designed to reflect
overall Company performance, with appropriate consideration of
conditions that exist in the industries in which it engages. In
determining compensation levels and compensation changes, the
Committee considers the Companys overall performance in
meeting both short-term
and long-term objectives, achievement of operating objectives,
performance in key areas such as Stockholder value, economic
profit, growth and earnings per share, as well as progress
toward long-term strategic objectives. |
|
|
|
Stockholder Return: The Program has been designed to
establish a direct link between the interests of the
Companys executives and its Stockholders. This is
accomplished by allocating a portion of |
8
|
|
|
|
|
senior management compensation to stock-based programs tied
directly to Stockholder return and by establishing executive
officer and other senior officer stock ownership guidelines. |
|
|
|
Individual Performance: In addition to the above factors,
the Committee considers the executives individual
performance and contributions to the Companys results in
determining appropriate compensation levels. |
The Executive Compensation Program
There are three main components to the Companys executive
compensation program: base salary, annual cash incentive
compensation, and long-term incentive compensation. Each
executives compensation is linked directly to the
Companys performance through substantial at-risk variable
pay.
|
|
|
|
|
Base Salary: The base salary of each executive is
reviewed annually and set by the Committee generally at the
beginning of each fiscal year. Salary changes reflect overall
Company performance, pay competitiveness and the
individuals performance. The percentage of total cash
compensation represented by base salary is based on the level of
the position, with base salary in fiscal 2006 of approximately
60% for the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (the
CEO) and the President and Chief Operating Officer
(the COO), and approximately 70% for the Senior Vice
President and Chief Financial Officer and the Vice President,
Secretary and General Counsel. |
|
|
|
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation: Commencing with
fiscal 2006, the Company divided the executive officers
annual cash incentive compensation (bonus) target
between two plans: (i) the Incentive Compensation Plan For
Executive Officers (ICP), adopted February 2,
2006, which was implemented to comply with Section 162(m)
of the Internal Revenue Code (see page 12 below), and
(ii) the historical Performance Compensation Plan
(PCP). The bonus target percentage of total cash
compensation represented by the ICP and PCP is based on the
level of the position, with a target for fiscal 2006 of
approximately 20% under each plan for the CEO and the COO and
approximately 15% under each plan for the other executive
officers. These plans closely link the executives pay to
the Companys financial results and provide for
compensation variability through lower incentive payments in
times of poor performance and higher compensation in times of
strong performance. The Committee sets bonus targets and
evaluation criteria generally near the beginning of each fiscal
year. Actual PCP and ICP payments will vary from the bonus
targets depending on the extent to which performance meets,
exceeds or falls below the Company and individual evaluation
criteria. For fiscal 2006, the Committee approved the PCP
evaluation criteria, which are both subjective and objective and
include Company performance (considering market conditions and
industry circumstances) in key areas such as shareholder value,
economic profit, growth and other factors, as well as individual
performance as measured against strategic management objectives.
For fiscal 2006, the ICP evaluation criterion approved by the
Committee was an objective earnings per share (EPS)
target. |
|
|
|
Long-Term Incentive Compensation: To align the interests
of the Companys management directly with those of
Stockholders, a portion of the executives total
compensation is provided by stock-based, long-term compensation
plans. In the past three years, stock options and
performance-accelerated restricted stock (PARS) have
been awarded to the executive officers. These awards are
included in the tables on pages 13 and 14 of this proxy
statement. |
The Companys equity programs provide for various types of
equity awards including incentive stock options and
non-qualified stock options. All options granted to date, when
first issued, have been awarded at an exercise price equal to
the fair market value of the stock on the date of the award.
Since options vest over time, the Company periodically grants
new options to provide continuing incentives for future
performance. The size of previous grants and the number of
options held are considered by the Committee, but are not
determinative of future grants. Like base salary, the grants are
set with regard to competitive considerations, individual
performance and the executives potential for future
contributions.
The equity programs also provide for the award of PARS which
allows shares to be earned upon the achievement of specific
stock price targets. Vesting is contingent on continued
employment for a specified
9
period after the shares are earned. However, awards not earned
by stock performance will nevertheless vest and be distributed
at the end of the service period established for the award,
provided the recipient continues in the employment of the
Company.
Stock-based programs encourage Stockholder value creation, as
this component of the compensation system is designed to retain
senior executives and motivate them to improve the market value
of the stock over a number of years.
Executive Share Ownership Guidelines
The Committee believes that senior management should have a
significant equity interest in the Company. In order to promote
equity ownership and further align the interests of management
with the Stockholders, the Committee has adopted ownership
guidelines for senior management. Under these guidelines,
certain executives (including the CEO and other executive
officers) are expected to accumulate shares until they achieve
and continue to maintain a significant ownership position,
expressed as total share cash value as a multiple of annual
total cash compensation as follows: Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and President five times total cash
compensation; other executive officers three times
total cash compensation.
The Committee periodically reviews share ownership levels of
those persons subject to these guidelines. These guidelines must
be achieved within five years of the effective date of the
program or the date of appointment as, or promotion to, a
corporate officer. Unexercised stock options, including vested
options, as well as unvested PARS, are not included in
determining whether an executive has achieved the ownership
levels set forth above. Each of the named executive officers has
achieved stockholdings in excess of the applicable multiple set
forth above.
Fiscal 2006 Executive Officer Compensation
Fiscal 2006 base salaries for the executive officers, which are
shown in the Summary Compensation Table on page 13, were
set at the beginning of fiscal 2006. The salaries were set based
on a subjective evaluation of fiscal 2005 performance and the
Committees review of current salary levels compared to
compensation data from the Survey Companies (as described on
page 8). At the time of the review, all of the executive
officers base salaries were below the median levels of the
Survey Companies.
In determining fiscal 2006 target total cash compensation (base
salary plus ICP and PCP bonus targets) for the executive
officers, the Committee considered the competitiveness of total
cash compensation levels compared to the escalated fiscal 2005
compensation data from the Survey Companies. The fiscal 2006
total cash compensation of the Companys executive officers
is detailed in the Summary Compensation Table on page 13.
The Fiscal 2005 Consultant Report reflected that the
Companys bonus target percentages were generally in line
with the market median levels for the general industry group.
In fiscal 2006, the Committee granted the executive officers
equity awards in the form of stock options and PARS (See
Fiscal 2006 Long-Term Incentive Awards below.) The
specifics of the equity awards provided to the executive
officers are detailed in the Summary Compensation Table on
page 13.
Fiscal 2006 Chief Executive Officer Compensation
In fiscal 2006, the Company recorded net sales of
$458.9 million, an increase of $29.8 million, or
6.9 percent, over fiscal 2005 net sales of
$429.1 million. Fiscal 2004 sales were $422.1 million.
Net earnings were $31.3 million, or $1.19 per share,
in fiscal 2006, $43.5, million or $1.66 per share, in
fiscal 2005, and $35.7 million, or $1.34 per share, in
fiscal 2004. The decrease in fiscal 2006 net earnings and
earnings per share compared to fiscal 2005 was driven by lower
sales and earnings from defense spares products in the
Filtration/ Fluid Flow segment and lower video security product
deliveries in the Communications segment. Also, during fiscal
2006, the Company significantly increased its spending in
engineering manpower and new product development, primarily in
Communications. Net earnings and earnings per share were higher
in fiscal
10
2005 compared with fiscal 2004 primarily due to significantly
higher sales and earnings from video security products in
Communications.
Due to the variety of end markets in which the Company operates,
year-to-year
comparisons of net sales and net earnings can fluctuate
significantly as a result of the timing and volume of delivery
schedules on large automatic meter reading contracts, high
margin defense spares products, video security products and
worldwide test chamber installations. In particular, the
contract selection cycle on large investor-owned utility
(IOU) customer contracts in the Communications segment can
vary from one to three years, and, if selected, the product
deployment and revenue cycle can occur over periods exceeding
five years.
Within the Communications segment, the Company continues to
invest heavily in engineering and new product development,
including hardware and software products, along with selective
acquisitions to satisfy the evolving requirements of what has
become advanced metering for the utility industry.
These costs can be significant and are expended well in advance
of contract selection and product delivery and can have a
material effect on net earnings in a given year. The spending on
these advanced products is necessary to remain competitive in
this very fast growing utility market.
Management regularly reviews all major investment decisions and
considers both the short-term and long-term opportunities that
may result from these expenditures. These ongoing investments
are intended to allow the Company to participate in a meaningful
level of new opportunities and to capture its share of the
growth available in the advanced metering utility marketplace.
Fiscal 2006 base salary of $550,000 for the CEO was set by the
Committee at the beginning of the fiscal year. The Committee
took into account the Companys financial and operating
performance for fiscal 2005, including the significant free cash
flow and the increase in EPS. Additionally, the Committee
recognized the continuing progress of the CEO and his management
team in the selective evaluation and implementation of capital
investments for future growth, continued cost structure
improvement, and the substantial progress on the Pacific
Gas & Electric contract. Also, the Committee considered
the factors set forth in the preceding three paragraphs.
In determining the fiscal 2006 combined ICP and PCP bonus target
of $366,000 for the CEO, the Committee considered the total cash
compensation of the CEO compared to the Survey Companies and the
bonus target percentage for this position, in conjunction with
the increase in base salary. During the first quarter of fiscal
2006, the Committee agreed to measure 50% of the bonus target
(the ICP bonus) against the EPS target, and measure the other
50% of the bonus target (the PCP bonus) against (i) the
achievement of other Company performance factors (weighted at
35%) and (ii) the execution of individual objectives
(weighted at 15%), which were established by the Committee
in consultation with the Lead Director at the beginning of
fiscal 2006.
The actual fiscal 2006 combined ICP and PCP bonus award of
$298,290 to the CEO was based upon the factors identified in the
Annual Cash Incentive Compensation paragraph above
(page 9). As 50% of the bonus target was measured against
the EPS target, this portion of the bonus award was lower than
in the prior year due to the Companys underachievement
relative to the EPS target.
Based upon the Companys fiscal 2005 financial performance,
as described above, and relative Stockholder return, the value
of similar incentive awards to CEOs in the Survey
Companies, and the awards given to the CEO in the past three
years, in November 2005, the CEO was granted 15,050 stock
options and received a PARS award of 15,050 shares. See
Fiscal 2006 Long-Term Incentive Awards below and the
Long-Term Compensation information in the Summary
Compensation Table.
In fiscal 2006, as a result of the achievement of PARS awards
share price targets, the CEO earned 12,000 previously awarded
shares, which will vest and be distributed upon his continued
service through March 31, 2007.
11
Fiscal 2006 Executive Officer Long-Term Incentive
Awards
The option price of stock options awarded to executive officers
in fiscal 2006 was the fair market value on the date of award.
The fiscal 2006 PARS awards established higher share price
targets than previous awards, and aimed to further align the
long-term interests of the executive officers with those of
Stockholders. These shares will be earned subject to the
achievement of specified stock price target levels over the
period from October 2007 through September 2010; however, awards
not earned by stock performance will nevertheless vest and be
distributed at the end of the service period established for the
award, provided the recipient continues in the employment of the
Company. The individual equity grant amounts were based on
internal factors such as the size of prior grants, relative job
scope and contributions made during the past year, as well as
the review of the Survey Companies escalated fiscal 2005
data on executive officer compensation.
Section 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, adopted in
1993, imposes a $1 million cap, subject to certain
exceptions, on the deductibility to a company of compensation
paid to the executive officers named in such companys
proxy statement. To date, all of the stock option plans have
been approved by Stockholders to enable options granted under
those plans to qualify as deductible performance-based
compensation under Section 162(m). The Company intends, to
the extent practicable, to preserve deductibility under the
Internal Revenue Code of compensation paid to its executive
officers while maintaining compensation programs that
effectively attract and retain exceptional executives in a
highly-competitive environment.
In fiscal 2006, the Company received Stockholder approval of the
ICP, a new annual cash incentive compensation plan, which
establishes an objective method for the development of bonus
evaluation criteria and the subsequent payment of a portion of
the executive officers cash incentive compensation based
on performance measured against such criteria. The ICP provides
the Company with the flexibility to establish additional
objective bonus evaluation criteria as may be appropriate from
year to year. See Annual Cash Incentive Compensation
on page 9.
The Committee continues to consider other steps which might be
in the Companys best interests to comply with
Section 162(m), while reserving the right to award future
compensation which would not comply with the Section 162(m)
requirements for deductibility if the Committee concludes that
this is in the Companys best interests.
Additionally, cash compensation voluntarily deferred by the
named executive officers under the Companys Deferred
Compensation Plan is not subject to the Section 162(m) cap
until the year paid.
Summary
The Committee believes the Companys compensation program
has been designed and managed by the Committee to directly link
the compensation of the Companys executives to Company
performance, individual performance and Stockholder return. The
Committee will continue to address these compensation levels
over time, consistent with Company and individual performance,
and will continue to emphasize performance and stock-based
compensation that links management and Stockholder interests.
|
|
|
The Human Resources and |
|
Compensation Committee |
|
|
J.D. Woods, Chairman |
|
L.W. Solley |
|
D.C. Trauscht |
12
Summary Compensation Table
The following table contains certain information concerning
compensation for each of the last three fiscal years for all
services rendered in all capacities to the Company and its
subsidiaries of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and the
other three executive officers serving at September 30,
2006. Effective that date, (i) C.J. Kretschmer
resigned as President and Chief Operating Officer and ceased to
be an executive officer, and (ii) V.L. Richey, Jr.
became President in addition to his positions as Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Long-Term Compensation | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation | |
|
Awards | |
|
Payouts | |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
($) | |
|
(#) | |
|
|
|
($) | |
|
|
|
|
($) | |
|
Restricted | |
|
Securities | |
|
($) | |
|
All Other | |
Name and |
|
Fiscal | |
|
($) | |
|
($) | |
|
Other Annual | |
|
Stock | |
|
Underlying | |
|
LTIP | |
|
Compen- | |
Principal Position |
|
Year | |
|
Salary | |
|
Bonus | |
|
Compensation | |
|
Awards(1) | |
|
Options | |
|
Payouts | |
|
sation(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
V. L. Richey, Jr.
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
$ |
550,000 |
|
|
$ |
298,290 |
|
|
|
7,906 |
|
|
$ |
641,431 |
(3) |
|
|
15,050 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
$ |
29,771 |
|
|
Chairman & Chief
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
|
|
499,500 |
|
|
|
7,455 |
|
|
|
542,880 |
(4) |
|
|
15,600 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
27,957 |
|
|
Executive Officer
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
360,000 |
|
|
|
480,000 |
|
|
|
7,081 |
|
|
|
295,200 |
(5) |
|
|
25,400 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
17,375 |
|
C. J. Kretschmer
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
355,000 |
|
|
|
188,000 |
|
|
|
9,370 |
|
|
|
323,912 |
(3)(6) |
|
|
7,600 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
12,378 |
|
|
President & Chief
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
322,000 |
|
|
|
328,490 |
|
|
|
6,816 |
|
|
|
348,000 |
(4)(6) |
|
|
10,000 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
15,021 |
|
|
Operating Officer
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
260,000 |
|
|
|
330,000 |
|
|
|
5,876 |
|
|
|
233,700 |
(5) |
|
|
10,200 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
10,818 |
|
G. E. Muenster
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
275,000 |
|
|
|
99,000 |
|
|
|
4,747 |
|
|
|
191,790 |
(3) |
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,745 |
|
|
Senior Vice President &
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
250,000 |
|
|
|
164,780 |
|
|
|
4,140 |
|
|
|
222,720 |
(4) |
|
|
6,400 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,491 |
|
|
Chief Financial Officer
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
195,000 |
|
|
|
170,000 |
|
|
|
3,298 |
|
|
|
118,080 |
(5) |
|
|
6,800 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
2,203 |
|
A. S. Barclay
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
|
210,000 |
|
|
|
74,250 |
|
|
|
38,036 |
(7) |
|
|
144,908 |
(3) |
|
|
3,400 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
15,637 |
|
|
Vice President, Secretary &
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
195,000 |
|
|
|
130,200 |
|
|
|
4,714 |
|
|
|
160,080 |
(4) |
|
|
4,600 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
15,017 |
|
|
General Counsel
|
|
|
2004 |
|
|
|
155,000 |
|
|
|
140,000 |
|
|
|
4,381 |
|
|
|
88,560 |
(5) |
|
|
5,600 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
8,318 |
|
|
|
(1) |
Restricted shares shown in this column are
performance-accelerated restricted shares that will vest if the
named officer continues in the employment of the Company through
the employment service period established for the award;
however, these shares will vest earlier upon achievement of
specified stock price targets established for the award and
continued employment of the named officer through March 31
of the year following the end of the fiscal year in which the
target is achieved. Achievement of target levels is determined
based on the average stock price over a period of thirty
consecutive trading days. All awards provide for acceleration of
vesting in the event of a change in control of the Company.
Dividends, if any, will not be paid prior to the vesting and
distribution of the shares. |
|
(2) |
Amounts shown in this column are Company cash match
contributions under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan and/or the
Employee Savings Investment Plan whereby the Company matches
certain percentages of the employees contributions. See
Retirement Plan on page 15. |
|
(3) |
Represents fair market value of $42.62 per share at the
time of award for the shares awarded as follows:
Mr. Richey 15,050 shares;
Mr. Kretschmer 7,600 shares;
Mr. Muenster 4,500 shares;
Ms. Barclay 3,400 shares. At
September 30, 2006, each of these individuals held an
aggregate of unvested Company performance-accelerated restricted
stock having a value as follows: Mr. Richey
42,650 shares/$1,963,606; Mr. Kretschmer
9,500 shares/$437,380; Mr. Muenster
15,700 shares/$722,828; Ms. Barclay
11,600 shares/$534,064. |
|
(4) |
Represents fair market value of $34.80 per share at the
time of award for the shares awarded as follows:
Mr. Richey 15,600 shares;
Mr. Kretschmer 10,000 shares;
Mr. Muenster 6,400 shares;
Ms. Barclay 4,600 shares. |
|
(5) |
Represents fair market value of $24.60 per share at the
time of award for the shares awarded as follows:
Mr. Richey 12,000 shares;
Mr. Kretschmer 9,500 shares;
Mr. Muenster 4,800 shares;
Ms. Barclay 3,600 shares. |
13
|
|
(6) |
This award was cancelled in connection with
Mr. Kretschmers resignation as an executive officer. |
|
(7) |
Includes car allowance of $18,000 and $9,222 for club expenses. |
The Companys stock option and performance-accelerated
restricted stock award agreements applicable to the named
executive officers generally provide for acceleration of vesting
and, in certain cases, payout of awards in the event of a change
in control of the Company, as defined in such agreements.
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST
FISCAL YEAR
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Individual Grants | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(#) | |
|
% of Total | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
Options | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
Granted to | |
|
|
|
|
|
($) | |
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Employees | |
|
($/Share) | |
|
|
|
Grant Date | |
|
|
Options | |
|
in Fiscal | |
|
Exercise | |
|
Expiration | |
|
Present | |
Name |
|
Granted(1) | |
|
Year | |
|
Price | |
|
Date | |
|
Value(2) | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
V. L. Richey
|
|
|
15,050 |
|
|
|
4.59 |
|
|
$ |
42.985 |
|
|
|
11/9/2010 |
|
|
$ |
175,457 |
|
C. J. Kretschmer
|
|
|
7,600 |
|
|
|
2.32 |
|
|
$ |
42.985 |
|
|
|
11/9/2010 |
|
|
|
88,603 |
|
G.E. Muenster
|
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
1.37 |
|
|
$ |
42.985 |
|
|
|
11/9/2010 |
|
|
|
52,462 |
|
A.S. Barclay
|
|
|
3,400 |
|
|
|
1.04 |
|
|
$ |
42.985 |
|
|
|
11/9/2010 |
|
|
|
39,638 |
|
|
|
(1) |
These stock option grants are non-transferable, have a term of
five years from the date of grant, and have an exercise price
equal to 100% of the fair market value on the date of grant. The
options are exercisable as follows: one-third of the options
granted may be exercised on or after one year after the date of
grant, an additional one-third on or after two years after the
date of grant, and the final one-third on or after three years
after the date of grant. In the event of a change in control of
the Company, 100% of the options granted immediately vest. |
|
(2) |
Estimated present values based on the Black-Scholes option
pricing model, a mathematical formula used to value options
traded on stock exchanges. The following assumptions were used
in applying the model to calculate the values: expected future
stock price volatility rate of 27.92%; risk-free rate of return
of 4.53% for the option term; annual dividend yield of 0%; and a
three and one-half year expected term. No adjustments have been
made for non-transferability or risk of forfeiture. The actual
value of the options will depend on the market price of the
shares on the date options are exercised, and may vary
significantly from the theoretical values estimated by the
Black-Scholes model. |
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table provides certain information concerning
stock option exercises during fiscal year 2006 by each of the
named executive officers and the value of their unexercised
options at September 30, 2006.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(#) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of | |
|
($) | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities | |
|
Value of | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying | |
|
Unexercised, | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Unexercised | |
|
In-The-Money | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options at | |
|
Options at | |
|
|
(#) | |
|
|
|
9/30/06 | |
|
9/30/06(2) | |
|
|
Shares | |
|
($) | |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Aquired | |
|
Value | |
|
Exercisable/ | |
|
Exercisable/ | |
Name |
|
on Exercise | |
|
Realized(1) | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
Unexercisable | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
V. L. Richey
|
|
|
8,600 |
|
|
$ |
384,033 |
|
|
|
135,916 / 33,918 |
|
|
|
$4,290,040 / $357,352 |
|
C. J. Kretschmer
|
|
|
6,000 |
|
|
|
250,560 |
|
|
|
36,792 / 17,668 |
|
|
|
1,061,941 / 177,471 |
|
G.E. Muenster
|
|
|
7,800 |
|
|
|
411,528 |
|
|
|
72,186 / 11,036 |
|
|
|
2,618,656 / 114,288 |
|
A.S. Barclay
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
81,080 / 8,336 |
|
|
|
2,944,424 / 87,935 |
|
14
|
|
(1) |
Based on the difference between the average of the high and low
market prices on the date of exercise and the option prices. |
|
(2) |
Based on the difference between the average of the high and low
market prices on September 30, 2006 and the option prices. |
RETIREMENT PLAN
At the time of the 1990 spin-off of the Company by Emerson
Electric Co. (Emerson), the Company established a
Retirement Plan (the Retirement Plan) in which the
Companys executive officers as well as other covered
employees participate. Prior to the 1990 spin-off, the executive
officers (other than Mr. Muenster, who was not then an
employee) participated in one of the pension plans of Emerson or
its subsidiaries. The Retirement Plan is substantially identical
to the Emerson Retirement Plan at the time of the 1990 spin-off
(the Emerson Retirement Plan). Under the Retirement
Plan, a participant will be credited with his service under the
Emerson Retirement Plan, but his benefit accrued under the
Retirement Plan will be offset by his benefit accrued under the
Emerson Retirement Plan as of September 30, 1990. Benefits
under the Retirement Plan may be reduced under certain maximum
provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. In 1993, the Company
adopted a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the
SERP) which provides that where any such reductions
occur, the Company will pay a retirement supplement to certain
executives including the executive officers (other than
Mr. Muenster). The SERP was designed to maintain total
retirement benefits at the formula level of the Retirement Plan.
Effective December 31, 2003, both the Retirement Plan and
the SERP were frozen with no increase in benefits accruing to
participants.
These plans provide for fixed retirement benefits based on the
participants credited years of service, five-year average
compensation (the highest average annual cash compensation
during any five consecutive years through 2003), and applicable
Social Security covered compensation calculated as of
December 31, 2003, the effective date of the freezing of
the plans.
The annual benefit payable at age 65 from the Retirement
Plan and the SERP, where applicable, for each of the persons
named in the Summary Compensation Table, on the basis of a
single life annuity with five years certain payment option, are
as follows as of December 31, 2003: Mr. Richey,
$60,448; Mr. Kretschmer, $88,498; Mr. Muenster,
$31,218; and Ms. Barclay $37,675. Under the current law,
the benefits amounts will not be subject to any reduction for
Social Security or other offset amounts.
Effective January 1, 2004, the Company modified its
existing Employee Savings Investment Plan (an employee benefit
plan under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code
which is available to substantially all United States employees
including the executive officers), through the addition of a
Company cash match at a rate of 100% of employee contributions
up to 3% of the employees eligible compensation, and 50%
of employee contributions which are in excess of such 3%, up to
5% of the employees eligible compensation, subject to
Internal Revenue Code limits. The amounts contributed in fiscal
year 2006 by the Company to certain persons listed in the
Summary Compensation Table were $8,800 for Mr. Richey,
$8,800 for Mr. Kretschmer and $8,839 for Ms. Barclay.
SEVERANCE PLAN
The Company has established a Severance Plan (the
Plan) covering the executive officers. Under the
Plan, following an occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined
in the Plan), each of the executive officers will be entitled to
be employed by the Company for a two-year period, during which:
(i) he or she will be paid a minimum base salary equal to
his or her base salary prior to the Change of Control, and a
minimum annual bonus based on the average of his or her bonuses
during the last five preceding fiscal years, disregarding the
highest and lowest such years, and (ii) he or she will
continue to receive the employee benefits to which he or she was
entitled prior to the Change of Control. During this employment
period, if the executive officers employment is terminated
by the Company other than for cause or disability, or the
executive officer terminates his or her employment following
certain actions by the Company, he or she will be entitled to
15
receive, among other things: (i) two times his or her
minimum annual base salary and an annual bonus, as defined in
the Plan, and (ii) the continuation of his or her employee
benefits for two years. The Company may amend the Plan, but no
amendment adverse to the rights of the executive officers will
be effective unless notice thereof has been given by the Company
to the affected executive officer(s) at least one year prior to
the occurrence of a Change of Control. Effective
September 30, 2006, Mr. Kretschmers
participation in the Plan terminated by mutual agreement with
the Company.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company entered into employment agreements effective on or
about November 1, 1999 with Messrs. Richey,
Kretschmer, Muenster and Ms. Barclay. These employment
agreements were amended to extend until November 2, 2004,
and were further amended on May 5, 2004 to provide for
automatic renewal after November 2, 2004 for subsequent
one-year periods unless a six month notice of non-renewal is
given by the Company or the executive. By mutual agreement,
Mr. Ketschmers employment agreement was terminated
effective September 30, 2006.
The employment agreements provide for a base salary of not less
than their fiscal year 1999 base salary, as increased in
accordance with the Companys compensation policy, and an
annual bonus in accordance with the Performance Compensation
Plan. These executives are also entitled to participate in any
stock options, restricted stock or performance shares awards and
other compensation as the Companys Human Resources and
Compensation Committee shall determine. They are also entitled
to participate in all employee benefit programs of the Company
applicable to senior executives, and the Company will continue
to provide certain perquisites, including financial planning, an
automobile allowance and club memberships.
The Company has the right to terminate the employment of the
executive officers at any time upon thirty days notice for cause
or without cause, and these executives have the right to resign
at any time upon thirty days notice. If an executives
employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause, or
if an executive terminates his employment following certain
actions by the Company, the executive will be entitled to
receive certain benefits. In the case of such a termination,
Mr. Richey will receive for two years, and
Mr. Muenster and Ms. Barclay will receive for one
year: (i) the continuation of their then-current base
salary and bonus (bonus calculated using the annual percentage
of base salary under the Performance Compensation Plan for the
last fiscal year prior to termination), (ii) immediate
vesting of outstanding stock options and immediate vesting and
payout of shares earned under the performance-accelerated
restricted stock plan, and (iii) continuation of employee
benefits and perquisites for the period of base salary
continuation. If an executives employment is terminated in
connection with a Change of Control (as defined), the executive
will not receive the foregoing benefits, and will receive
instead the benefits payable under the Companys Severance
Plan.
All of the aforementioned agreements prohibit the executives
from disclosing confidential information or trade secrets
concerning the Company, and for a specific period from
soliciting employees of the Company and from soliciting
customers or distributors of the Company.
In connection with the termination of Mr. Kretschmers
employment agreement as stated above, the Company entered into a
new employment agreement with him effective October 1,
2006, which is terminable by either party at any time. Under
this agreement, he is employed as a Vice President with an
annual salary of $250,000, a car allowance of $1,500 per
month, allowances for club membership and financial planning,
and standard employee benefits. The agreement provides that the
Company is under no obligation to award future bonuses, stock
options, PARS or similar awards. The stock options previously
granted to Mr. Kretschmer remain in effect. Certain of the
PARS previously awarded to him have been terminated, as shown in
the Summary Compensation Table on page 13.
16
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph presents a comparison of the cumulative
total shareholder return on the Common Shares as measured
against the Russell 2000 Index and a peer group (the 2006
Peer Group). The Company is not a component of the 2006
Peer Group, but it is a component of the Russell 2000 Index. The
measurement period begins on September 30, 2001 and
measures at each September 30 thereafter. These figures
assume that all dividends, if any, paid over the measurement
period were reinvested, and the starting value of each index and
the investments in the Common Shares were $100 at the close of
trading on September 30, 2001.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
9/01 |
|
|
9/02 |
|
|
9/03 |
|
|
9/04 |
|
|
9/05 |
|
|
9/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ESCO Technologies Inc.
|
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
129.72 |
|
|
|
|
181.81 |
|
|
|
|
272.13 |
|
|
|
|
402.17 |
|
|
|
|
369.80 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russell 2000 Index
|
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
90.70 |
|
|
|
|
123.80 |
|
|
|
|
147.04 |
|
|
|
|
173.44 |
|
|
|
|
190.65 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 Peer Group
|
|
|
|
100 |
|
|
|
|
93.54 |
|
|
|
|
128.07 |
|
|
|
|
158.20 |
|
|
|
|
182.28 |
|
|
|
|
209.38 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The 2006 Peer Group is the same peer group included in last
years performance graph and designated the 2005 Peer
Group. The 2006 Peer Group is comprised of six companies,
which correspond to the Companys three industry segments
as follows: Filtration/ Fluid Flow segment (38% of the
Companys 2006 total revenue) Pall Corporation
and Clarcor Inc.; Communications segment (34% of the
Companys 2006 total revenue) Badger Meter
Inc., Itron Inc. and Roper Industries Inc.; and Test segment
(28% of the Companys 2006 total revenue)
Tektronix Inc.
In calculating the composite return of the 2006 Peer Group, the
return of each company comprising the 2006 Peer Group is
weighted by (i) its market capitalization in relation to
the other companies in its corresponding Company industry
segment, and (ii) the percentage of the Companys 2006
total revenue represented by its corresponding Company industry
segment.
17
Security Ownership Of Directors and Executive Officers
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to the number of Common Shares beneficially owned by the
directors and executive officers of the Company as of
December 12, 2006. Except as otherwise noted, each person
has sole voting and investment power as to his or her shares.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Percent |
|
|
|
|
Common Shares |
|
of Outstanding |
|
|
Name of Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficially Owned(1) |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
W.S. Antle III
|
|
|
36,134 |
(2) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
A.S. Barclay
|
|
|
151,389 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
J.M. McConnell
|
|
|
21,754 |
(4) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
G.E. Muenster
|
|
|
170,164 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
V.L. Richey, Jr.
|
|
|
301,242 |
|
|
|
1.2% |
|
|
|
|
|
L.W. Solley
|
|
|
10,950 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
J.M. Stolze
|
|
|
19,800 |
(5) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
D.C. Trauscht
|
|
|
10,800 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
J.D. Woods
|
|
|
6,616 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
|
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (9 persons)
|
|
|
728,849 |
|
|
|
2.8% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Includes the following Common Shares covered by employee stock
options which the individual has the right to acquire within
60 days after December 12, 2006: Ms. Barclay
82,747, Mr. Muenster 75,819, Mr. Richey 146,132, and
all directors and executive officers as a group 304,698. Does
not include the following Common Shares representing outstanding
awards of PARS which have not yet been issued and which the
individual does not have the right to acquire within
60 days after December 12, 2006: Ms. Barclay
15,050, Mr. Muenster 20,750 and Mr. Richey 60,850, and
all directors and executive officers as a group 96,650. |
|
(2) |
Includes 20,542 stock equivalents credited to
Mr. Antles deferred compensation account under the
Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors. |
|
(3) |
The percentage of total outstanding Common Shares beneficially
owned by this individual does not exceed 1%. |
|
(4) |
Includes 10,300 stock equivalents credited to
Mr. McConnells deferred compensation account under
the Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors. |
|
(5) |
Includes 14,200 stock equivalents credited to
Mr. Stolzes deferred compensation account under the
Compensation Plan for Non-Management Directors. |
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to each person known by the Company to beneficially own more
than five percent of the outstanding Common Shares:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of |
|
Percent of |
Name and Address of |
|
Common Shares |
|
Outstanding |
Beneficial Owner |
|
Beneficially Owned |
|
Common Shares |
|
|
|
|
|
Columbia Wanger Asset Management, L.P.
|
|
|
3,704,500 |
(1) |
|
|
14.3 |
% |
|
227 West Monroe, Suite 3000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Chicago, IL 60606
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Waddell & Reed
|
|
|
1,464,900 |
(2) |
|
|
5.7 |
% |
|
6300 Lamar Ave.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18
|
|
(1) |
Based on information provided by Columbia Wanger Asset
Management, L.P. (CWAM), an investment advisor to
the following registered owners: Columbia Acorn Fund,
2,200,000 shares; Columbia Acorn USA, 580,300 shares;
Oregon State Treasury, 200,000 shares; Wanger Advisors
Trust US Smaller Companies, 492,300 shares; Wanger
Investment Company PLC, US Smaller Companies,
137,300 shares; Fairfax County Employees Retirement,
30,000 shares; Fleet Bank Pension, 29,400 shares;
Optimum Small Cap Growth, 21,200 shares; New America Small
Caps, 14,000 shares. CWAM and its general partner, WAM
Acquisition G.P., hold shared voting power and investment power
with the registered owners as to the 3,704,500 shares. |
|
(2) |
Based on information provided by Waddell & Reed, who
holds sole voting and investment powers as to all shares. |
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
requires the Companys directors and executive officers and
persons who own beneficially more than ten percent of any class
of equity security of the Company to file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission initial reports of such ownership and
reports of changes in such ownership. Officers, directors and
such beneficial owners are required by Securities and Exchange
Commission regulation to furnish the Company with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file. To the Companys
knowledge, based solely on review of the copies of such reports
furnished to the Company and written representations that no
other reports were required, during the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2006, all Section 16(a) reports
applicable to its officers, directors and greater than ten
percent beneficial owners were timely filed.
II. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY
COMPANYS SELECTION OF KPMG LLP
AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR
ratification of the selection of KPMG LLP as independent
auditors for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007.
The Audit and Finance Committee has appointed KPMG LLP, an
independent registered public accounting firm, as independent
auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007.
KPMG LLP or its predecessor firms have served as the independent
auditors of the Company since its incorporation in 1990. A
representative of KPMG LLP is expected to be present at the 2007
Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement and
respond to appropriate questions from Stockholders.
Although this appointment is not required to be submitted to a
vote of Stockholders, the Board of Directors believes it is
appropriate to request that the Stockholders ratify the
appointment of KPMG LLP as independent auditors of the Company
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007. If the
Stockholders do not ratify, the Audit and Finance Committee will
investigate the reasons for Stockholder rejection and will
reconsider the appointment.
III. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Audit and Finance Committee (the Committee) has
adopted pre-approval policies and procedures requiring that the
Committee pre-approve all audit and non-audit services to be
provided by the Companys independent auditors. In
accordance with this policy, the Committee has pre-approved and
has set specific quarterly limitations on fees for the following
categories of services: general accounting and SEC consultation,
compliance with pertinent legislation, general taxation matters
and tax returns. Services which have not received specific
pre-approval by the Committee must receive such approval prior
to the rendering of the services.
19
The following fees were paid to KPMG LLP for services rendered
for each of the last two fiscal years:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 | |
|
2005 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Audit Fees
|
|
$ |
1,200,000 |
|
|
|
924,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,000 |
|
Tax Fees
|
|
|
185,000 |
|
|
|
85,000 |
|
All Other Fees
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total KPMG LLP Fees Paid
|
|
$ |
1,305,000 |
|
|
|
1,012,000 |
|
Audit Fees primarily represent amounts paid for the audit of the
Companys annual financial statements, reviews of SEC
Forms 10-Q
and 10-K, or
services that are normally provided in connection with statutory
and regulatory filings or engagements for those fiscal years,
including attestation of managements report on internal
control over financial reporting.
Audit-Related Fees represent amounts paid for services that are
related to the performance of the audit, including review of
general accounting matters.
Tax Fees represent amounts paid for tax compliance, tax advice
and tax planning services.
In the process of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the
Companys independent auditors for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2007, the Committee has determined that the
non-audit services provided by KPMG LLP are compatible with
maintaining the independence of KPMG LLP.
IV. VOTING
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Common
Shares entitled to vote which are present in person or
represented by proxy at the 2007 Annual Meeting is required to
elect directors, to ratify the Companys selection of
independent auditors for fiscal 2007, and to act on any other
matters properly brought before the meeting. Common Shares
represented by proxies which are marked withhold
authority with respect to the election of any one or more
nominees for election as directors, proxies which are marked
Abstain on the proposal to ratify the selection of
independent auditors, and proxies which are marked to deny
discretionary authority on other matters will be counted for the
purpose of determining the number of shares represented by proxy
at the meeting. Such proxies will thus have the same effect as
if the Common Shares represented thereby were voted against such
nominee or nominees, against such proposal to ratify the
selection of independent auditors, and against such other
matters, respectively. Common Shares not voted on one or more
but less than all such matters on proxies returned by brokers
will be treated as not represented at the meeting as to such
matter or matters.
The Company knows of no other matters to come before the
meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting,
the proxies solicited hereby will be voted on such matters in
accordance with the judgment of the persons voting such proxies.
V. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
Proposals of Stockholders intended to be presented at the 2008
Annual Meeting must be received by the Company by
August 28, 2007 for inclusion in the Companys proxy
statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting. Upon
receipt of any such proposal, the Company will determine whether
or not to include such proposal in the proxy statement and form
of proxy in accordance with regulations governing the
solicitation of proxies.
In order for a Stockholder to nominate a candidate for director,
under the Companys Articles of Incorporation, timely
notice of the nomination must be given to the Company in advance
of the meeting. Ordinarily, such notice must be given not less
than 60 nor more than 90 days before the meeting (but if
the Company gives less than 50 days notice or prior public
disclosure of the date of the meeting, then the Stockholder must
give such notice within ten days after notice of the meeting is
mailed or other public
20
disclosure of the meeting is made, whichever occurs first). The
Stockholder filing the notice of nomination must describe
various matters regarding the nominee, including such
information as name, address, occupation and shares held.
In order for a Stockholder to bring other business before a
Stockholder meeting, timely notice must be given to the Company
within the time limits described above. Such notice must include
a description of the proposed business, the reasons therefor and
other specified matters. The Board may reject any such proposals
that are not made in accordance with these procedures or that
are not a proper subject for Stockholder action in accordance
with the provisions of applicable law. These requirements are
separate from and in addition to the requirements a Stockholder
must meet to have a proposal included in the Companys
proxy statement. The foregoing time limits also apply in
determining whether notice is timely for purposes of rules
adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to
the exercise of discretionary voting authority.
In each case, the notice must be given to the Secretary of the
Company, whose address is 9900A Clayton Road, St. Louis, MO
63124-1186. Any Stockholder desiring a copy of the
Companys Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws will be
furnished one without charge upon written request to the
Secretary.
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
x
|
PLEASE MARK VOTES
AS IN THIS EXAMPLE
|
|
REVOCABLE PROXY
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
|
|
|
The undersigned, as holder of record of the common
stock of ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC. (the Company), does hereby
appoint V.L. Richey, Jr., G.E. Muenster and A.S. Barclay, or
any of them, the true and lawful attorneys in fact, agents and
proxies of the undersigned to represent the undersigned at the
Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, to be held on
February 2, 2007, commencing at 9:30 A.M., St. Louis time, at
the Companys headquarters located at 9900A Clayton Road, St.
Louis County, Missouri 63124 and at any and all adjournments of
such meeting, and to vote all the shares of common stock of the
Company standing on the register of the Companys stock
transfer agent in the name of the undersigned as follows, and
in their discretion on such other business as may properly come
before the meeting:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Please be sure to date and sign
this Proxy in the box below.
|
|
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stockholder sign above
|
|
|
Co-holder (if any) sign above |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With- |
|
For All |
|
|
|
|
For |
|
hold |
|
Except |
1.
|
|
Election of Directors of
all nominees listed (except
as marked to the
contrary below):
|
|
o
|
|
o
|
|
o |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
V.L RICHEY, JR. J.M. STOLZE |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any
individual nominee, mark For All Except and write
that nominees name in the space provided below. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For |
|
Against |
|
Abstain |
2.
|
|
Ratification of Companys Selection of
KPMG LLP as Independent Auditors for
Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2007
|
|
o
|
|
o
|
|
o |
MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR
THE ABOVE PROPOSALS.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the
Notice of the Annual Meeting and accompanying Proxy
Statement dated December 20, 2006.
The proxies will vote your common stock in the
manner directed herein by the undersigned Stockholder.
If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR each of Proposals 1 and 2.
Please sign exactly as your name appears on this
form. When signing as an attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or guardian, please give full
title as such. If signing on behalf of a corporation,
please sign in full corporate name by President or
other authorized officer. If signing on behalf of a
partnership, please sign in partnership name by
authorized person.
é Detach above form, sign, date and mail in postage paid envelope provided. é
ESCO TECHNOLOGIES INC.
PLEASE ACT PROMPTLY
SIGN, DATE & MAIL YOUR PROXY FORM TODAY
December 20, 2006
Dear Stockholder:
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of ESCO
Technologies Inc. will be held at the Companys headquarters located at 9900A Clayton Road,
St. Louis County, Missouri 63124 at 9:30 A.M., St. Louis time, on Friday, February 2, 2007.
It is important that your shares are represented at this meeting. Whether or not you plan to
attend the meeting, please review the enclosed proxy materials, complete the attached proxy
form above, and return it promptly in the envelope provided.
Thank you.
IF YOUR ADDRESS HAS CHANGED, PLEASE CORRECT THE ADDRESS IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW AND
RETURN THIS PORTION WITH THE PROXY IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED.