8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 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): December 12, 2016

LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

Ohio	000-1402	34-1860551
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

22801 St. Clair Avenue

Cleveland, Ohio 44117

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(216) 481-8100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not applicable

(Former name and 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))

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

On December 12, 2016, Frederick G. Stueber informed Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) that he will retire from his position as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company in April 2017. A copy of the Company’s press release announcing Mr. Stueber’s retirement is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

99.1 The Company’s press release dated December 14, 2016 announcing the retirement of Frederick G. Stueber

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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.

	LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.
Date: December 14, 2016	By:	/s/ Vincent K. Petrella
		Vincent K. Petrella
		Executive Vice President, CFO & Treasurer

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LINCOLN ELECTRIC HOLDINGS, INC.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.	Exhibit
99.1	The Company’s press release dated December 14, 2016 announcing the retirement of Frederick G. Stueber

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EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

LINCOLN ELECTRIC GENERAL COUNSEL FREDERICK G. STUEBER TO RETIRE IN 2017,

JENNIFER I. ANSBERRY NAMED SUCCESSOR

CLEVELAND, Wednesday, December 14, 2016—Lincoln Electric Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: LECO) (the “Company”) announced today that Frederick G. Stueber will retire from the Company as Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary in April 2017.

Stueber’s retirement marks a distinguished 36-year career in law and 22 years as Lincoln Electric’s General Counsel and Secretary. While at Lincoln Electric, Stueber has led global litigation, corporate governance matters, mergers and acquisitions, corporate compliance, intellectual property, labor law and environmental, health and safety initiatives. He also served as a member of the senior Management Committee. During his tenure, he successfully led an industry defense group and collective plan against fume litigation which resulted in the dismissal of numerous cases against the Company and industry. Prior to joining Lincoln Electric in 1995, Stueber served at Jones Day for 13 years, the last six years as a corporate partner. He started his career as a law clerk for Federal Chief Judge Andrew A. Caffrey following his graduation from Harvard Law School.

Christopher L. Mapes, Lincoln Electric’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, “Fred has made innumerable contributions to the Company and has been a trusted strategic advisor and counselor to management and the Board. His acumen, passion for law and his willingness to face tough challenges has led to the successful defense of the organization and a transformative approach to litigation in our industry. We thank Fred for his leadership in the organization, his community engagement on behalf of the Lincoln Electric Foundation, and wish him and his family our very best.”

Upon Stueber’s retirement, Jennifer I. Ansberry will be promoted to Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary and she will serve as an officer of the Company. Ansberry joined Lincoln Electric in 2004 and serves as Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and oversees the Company’s legal function in global mergers and acquisitions, securities law compliance, corporate governance and other general corporate legal matters. She also leads the Company’s environmental, health and safety organization. Prior to joining Lincoln Electric, she served as an associate at Thompson Hine LLP and Keating, Muething & Klekamp LLP. She received her J.D. from the University of Cincinnati—College of Law and received a B.B.A. in accounting from the University of Cincinnati.

About Lincoln Electric

Lincoln Electric is the world leader in the design, development and manufacture of arc welding products, robotic arc welding systems, plasma and oxy-fuel cutting equipment and has a leading global position in the brazing and soldering alloys market. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln has 48 manufacturing locations, including operations and joint ventures in 19 countries and a worldwide network of distributors and sales offices covering more than 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit the Company’s website at http://www.lincolnelectric.com.

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Contact

Amanda Butler

Director, Investor Relations

Tel: 216.383.2534

Email: Amanda_Butler@lincolnelectric.com