8-K

 

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

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of Earliest Event Reported): June 5, 2017

AMETEK, Inc.
__________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-12981	14-1682544
_____________________ (State or other jurisdiction	_____________ (Commission	______________ (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)
1100 Cassatt Road, Berwyn, Pennsylvania		19312
_________________________________ (Address of principal executive offices)		___________ (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 610-647-2121

Not Applicable
______________________________________________
Former name or former address, if changed since last report

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[  ]  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[  ]  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[  ]  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company [  ]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On June 5, 2017, AMETEK, Inc. (the "Company") announced that Frank S. Hermance will retire as Executive Chairman effective July 7, 2017 (the "Effective Date"). David A. Zapico, currently the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, was elected by the Company’s Board of Directors as Chairman of the Board effective upon Mr. Hermance’s retirement. In connection with Mr. Hermance’s retirement, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors determined it would accelerate the vesting on 43,510 shares of restricted stock previously granted to Mr. Hermance, effective upon his retirement. This action allows Mr. Hermance to realize the value of his unvested Long-Term Incentive awards that he would otherwise forfeit as a result of his retirement and rewards him for his long and valued service to the Company. Mr. Hermance has served the Company for over 27 years including 17 years as Chief Executive Officer. Following Mr. Hermance’s retirement, the Board of Directors will consist of nine directors.

Item 8.01 Other Events.

On June 5, 2017, the Company also announced that it is further enhancing its corporate governance with the establishment of the position of Lead Independent Director, as formalized in the Corporate Governance Guidelines, which are publicly posted to the Company’s website. The independent directors of the Board have appointed Anthony J. Conti to serve as Lead Independent Director. Mr. Conti has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2010, and serves as Chairperson of the Audit Committee.

On June 5, 2017, the Company issued a press release announcing the retirement of Mr. Hermance and the appointment of Mr. Zapico as Chairman of the Board and Mr. Conti as Lead Independent Director, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is hereby incorporated by reference in this Form 8 K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits.

99.1 Copy of press release issued by AMETEK, Inc. on June 5, 2017.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	AMETEK, Inc.
June 5, 2017	By:	/s/ Thomas M. Montgomery
		Name: Thomas M. Montgomery
		Title: Senior Vice President - Comptroller

Exhibit Index

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Copy of press release issued by AMETEK, Inc. on June 5, 2017.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Contact: Kevin Coleman +1 610-889-5247

AMETEK EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN FRANK S. HERMANCE TO RETIRE
— David A. Zapico Elected Chairman of the Board —
— Anthony J. Conti Named Lead Independent Director —

BERWYN, PA, JUNE 5, 2017 – After 27 years with AMETEK, Inc. (NYSE: AME), Frank S. Hermance has chosen to retire as Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective July 7, 2017. Mr. Hermance’s retirement culminates a remarkable and distinguished career at AMETEK, including 17 years as Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Hermance, who joined AMETEK in 1990 as Group Vice President, served as President of AMETEK’s Precision Instruments Group from 1994 to 1996. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 1996, a role he held until 1999, when he was named Chief Executive Officer. He was elected Chairman of the Board in 2001. In May 2016, Mr. Hermance was named Executive Chairman of the Board after stepping down as Chief Executive Officer.

During his tenure as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Hermance led a highly successful transformation of AMETEK into a leading global, diversified manufacturing company. Under his leadership, AMETEK has seen outstanding improvements in all key financial metrics. Sales increased from $925 million to $4 billion; diluted earnings per share grew at a 15% compounded annual growth rate; and AMETEK’s market capitalization increased more than 1,500 percent from approximately $700 million to over $11 billion.

Mr. Hermance accelerated AMETEK’s growth as a global, differentiated company. He used acquisitions and internal development to shift AMETEK into more highly differentiated businesses and establish new growth platforms for the Company. He focused on Operational Excellence to maintain strong operating margins and achieve superior working capital and asset management results, and he added to AMETEK’s reputation as a technology leader and product innovator.

“I am extremely proud of AMETEK’s accomplishments and successes. It has been a tremendous honor for me to lead this outstanding Company and its dedicated employees through our transition into a world-class company,” comments Mr. Hermance. “With the strong support of our Board of Directors, I am confident that AMETEK will continue to create meaningful value for all of its stakeholders under the leadership of Dave Zapico and his excellent management team.”

- Continued -

AMETEK EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN FRANK S. HERMANCE TO RETIRE
Page 2

David A. Zapico, AMETEK Chief Executive Officer and a member of its Board, assumes the additional role of Chairman of the Board, effective July 7, 2017. Mr. Zapico, a 27-year AMETEK veteran, was named Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board in May 2016. Prior to that, he was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 2013 to 2016 and served as President, Electronic Instruments from 2003 to 2013.

“Frank has been a driving force behind AMETEK’s strategic vision, our consistently strong operational performance, and outstanding shareholder returns,” comments Mr. Zapico. “Frank led AMETEK on a steady and consistent growth path, while building a strong foundation and culture that will allow us to capitalize on the tremendous growth potential of AMETEK in the years ahead.”

“The Board of Directors thanks Frank for his leadership and dedicated service to AMETEK,” notes James R. Malone, Chairperson of AMETEK’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. “Throughout his tenure, Frank focused on developing talent while ensuring a well-designed succession plan was in place. As a result, we have incredibly talented leaders, like Dave and his executive team, who have seamlessly transitioned into their leadership roles.”

The Board also named Anthony J. Conti, a current Board member, as Lead Independent Director, effective July 7, 2017. In this newly created position, Mr. Conti will chair meetings of the independent directors, help develop Board meeting agendas, and serve as a liaison to Chairman and Chief Executive Officer David Zapico. Mr. Conti will remain the Chairperson of the Audit Committee of the Board.

Mr. Conti has served as an AMETEK Director since 2010. He retired in 2009 from PricewaterhouseCoopers after a distinguished 37-year career, including 29 years as a partner. He is currently a Director of Bio Telemetry, Inc.

“Tony has made tremendous contributions to the AMETEK Board, and I am very pleased that he has been named to become our Lead Independent Director,” adds Mr. Malone. “He is the right person to serve in this new role.”

Corporate Profile

AMETEK is a leading global manufacturer of electronic instruments and electromechanical devices with annual sales of approximately $4.0 billion. AMETEK’s Corporate Growth Plan is based on Four Key Strategies: Operational Excellence, Strategic Acquisitions, Global & Market Expansion and New Products. AMETEK’s objective is double-digit percentage growth in earnings per share over the business cycle and a superior return on total capital. The common stock of AMETEK is a component of the S&P 500 Index.

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