-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, GkZ2n/GQqBzeqq3enAn46fAJtvK9kP71GSdrOhFWgBoVyzz5uIVxmD5K8ZG5/PLW s84UPTAtNPlzPVKZnOdC4w== 0000950135-96-004398.txt : 19961205 0000950135-96-004398.hdr.sgml : 19961205 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950135-96-004398 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: DEF 14A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 1 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 19961113 FILED AS OF DATE: 19961018 SROS: AMEX FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: ARROW AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000007533 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: 3690 IRS NUMBER: 041449115 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MA FISCAL YEAR END: 0630 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: DEF 14A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-07737 FILM NUMBER: 96645041 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3 SPEEN ST CITY: FRAMINGHAM STATE: MA ZIP: 01701 BUSINESS PHONE: 5088723711 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 3 SPEEN STREET CITY: FRAMINGHAM STATE: MA ZIP: 01701 DEF 14A 1 ARROW AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES, INC. 1 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 [Section] 240.14a-11(c) or [Section] 240.14a-12 ARROW AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES, INC. (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): /X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A. / / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 14a-6(i)(3). / / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) 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: ------------------------------------------------------ / / 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: ---------------------------------------------------------- 2 ARROW AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES, INC. 3 SPEEN STREET FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS 01701 NOTICE OF 1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS Framingham, Massachusetts October 18, 1996 The 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Arrow Automotive Industries, Inc. (the "Company") will be held at the offices of Burns & Levinson LLP, 125 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, on Wednesday November 13, 1996 at 10:00 a.m. for the following purposes: 1. To elect directors of the Company; 2. To approve the selection of the accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors of the Company for the current fiscal year; and 3. To consider and act upon any matters incidental to the foregoing, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. The Board of Directors has designated the close of business on October 11, 1996, as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting. LAWRENCE M. LEVINSON, Clerk - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- A copy of the Annual Report of the Company for the fiscal year ended June 29, 1996, is being mailed to stockholders herewith. The Annual Report should not be considered a part of the attached proxy materials. - - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3 ARROW AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES, INC. PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS This statement is furnished to the stockholders of Arrow Automotive Industries, Inc. (hereinafter, the "Company") in connection with the solicitation of proxies by the Board of Directors of the Company to be used at the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and any adjournment of that meeting. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held at the offices of Burns & Levinson LLP, 125 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, on Wednesday, November 13, 1996, at 10:00 a.m. Each proxy delivered pursuant to this solicitation is revocable at any time before it is voted, at the option of the person executing such proxy, by notifying the Company in writing, by submitting a later dated proxy or by personal vote at the meeting. This proxy statement is being mailed to stockholders on or about October 18, 1996. At the close of business on October 11, 1996, the Company had 2,873,083 outstanding shares of Common Stock. Each share of outstanding Common Stock is entitled to one vote. Only holders of Common Stock of record on the books of the Company at the close of business on October 11, 1996, are entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting. The Company's by-laws require that the holders of a majority of the shares of the Company's Common Stock then outstanding and entitled to vote be present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting in order to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Each nominee for director receiving a plurality of votes will be elected as a director. Abstentions from voting on a matter by a stockholder present in person or by proxy and broker "non-votes" will not be counted in determining the number of shares voted for the election of directors or any other matter, but will be counted for purposes of attaining a quorum. PART I: MATTERS TO BE SUBMITTED FOR STOCKHOLDER CONSIDERATION ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (NOTICE ITEM NO. 1) The Board of Directors has fixed the total number of directors at nine, consisting of three classes of three directors each. Each director of the Company is elected for a term of three years, with the terms of office of each class ending in successive years. The terms of office of Alan Steinert, Jr., Robert A. Holzwasser and Joel D. Holzwasser expire effective as of the date of the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. At the meeting, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote for the re-election of Messrs. Holzwasser and Steinert for a three-year term expiring on the date of the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, unless authority to do so is withheld. All of the nominees are presently members of the Board of Directors. Each of the aforesaid nominees has communicated to the Company his consent to being named in this proxy statement and to serve as a director if elected. Although the Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director if elected, in the event of such inability, the proxy holders shall have the right to either vote for such substitute, if any, as the present Board of Directors may designate, or to fix the number of directors at such lesser number as will equal the number of nominees that are able to serve. The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote for the election of all nominees for directors. 4 SELECTION OF AUDITORS (NOTICE ITEM NO. 2) The accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP has been selected by the Board of Directors to audit the books, records and accounts of the Company for the current fiscal year, and the stockholders will be asked at the meeting to approve this selection. A representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Ernst & Young LLP representative will be provided an opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders vote to approve the selection of this firm. PART II: ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND STOCKHOLDINGS OF MANAGEMENT The following chart shows, as of October 11, 1996, (i) those stockholders who each owned beneficially more than five (5%) percent of the outstanding Common Stock of the Company (the one class of the Company's voting securities), (ii) the beneficial ownership of each such principal stockholder, each director, each nominee for director, the chief executive officer and each of the other four most highly compensated executive officers of the Company (each a "Named Executive Officer"), and (iii) the beneficial ownership of all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group (which group consisted of 15 members as of October 11, 1996):
AMOUNT AND NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER NATURE OF PERCENTAGE (ADDRESS IS SHOWN ONLY FOR BENEFICIAL BENEFICIALLY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS) OWNERSHIP(1) OWNED -------------------------- ---------- ------------ Lawrence M. Levinson............................................. 1,390,555(2) 48.31% c/o Burns & Levinson LLP 125 Summer Street Boston, Massachusetts (Director) Mary S. Holzwasser............................................... 536,567(3) 18.68% 25 Wachusett Road Chestnut Hill, MA 02167 Mary S. Holzwasser, Joseph Segal and Lawrence M. Levinson, as Trustees of the Trust u/w/o Albert S. Holzwasser............ 526,567(2)(3)(4) 18.33% c/o Arrow Automotive Industries, Inc. 3 Speen Street Framingham, Massachusetts Harry A. Holzwasser.............................................. 176,979(5) 6.09% 6961 Lake Estates Court Boca Raton, Florida (Director and Named Executive Officer) Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc.................................... 171,400(6) 5.97% 1229 Ocean Avenue Santa Monica, California Jim L. Osment.................................................... 50,000(7) 1.73% (Director and Named Executive Officer)
2 5
AMOUNT AND NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER NATURE OF PERCENTAGE (ADDRESS IS SHOWN ONLY FOR BENEFICIAL BENEFICIALLY PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS) OWNERSHIP(1) OWNED -------------------------- ------------ ------------ Joel D. Holzwasser............................................... 22,510(8) * (Director) Robert A. Holzwasser............................................. 22,510(8) * (Director and Named Executive Officer) William J. Ledbetter............................................. 20,753(9) * (Named Executive Officer) James F. Fagan................................................... 12,000(10) * (Director and Named Executive Officer) Alan Steinert, Jr................................................ 5,100(11) * (Director) Winthrop P. Rockefeller.......................................... 0 * (Director) All directors and executive officers of the Company as a group (15 persons)........................................ 1,731,113(12) 58.34% - - --------------- * Represents beneficial ownership of less than one percent of the Company's outstanding shares of Common Stock. (1) Shares are considered beneficially owned, for purposes of this table only, if held by the person indicated as beneficial owner, or if such person, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares the power to vote, to direct the voting and/or to dispose or direct the disposition of such security, or if the person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership within sixty (60) days, unless otherwise indicated in the following footnotes. All shares listed in the above table represent shares owned directly, unless otherwise stated in a footnote. (2) Includes the following: (a) 840,988 shares held as Trustee under the Arrow Automotive Industries, Inc. Voting Trust Agreement dated March 28, 1990, as amended, between Mary S. Holzwasser and Mr. Levinson (the "Voting Trust Agreement"), pursuant to which the Trustee has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares subject thereto. The term of the Voting Trust Agreement expires on March 28, 1998, subject to earlier termination by the Trustee in his sole discretion. (b) 526,567 shares held by the Trust u/w/o Albert S. Holzwasser (see Note 4 below), of which Mr. Levinson is one of three Trustees. The Trustees, acting by majority vote, have voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by the Trust. (c) 10,000 shares held by the Mary S. Holzwasser Charitable Trust (the "Charitable Trust") under a Declaration of Trust dated August 23, 1979, of which Mr. Levinson is a co-Trustee with Mary S. Holzwasser. Mr. Levinson and Mrs. Holzwasser, as co-Trustees, have voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares subject to the Charitable Trust. (d) Presently exercisable options to purchase 5,000 shares under the Company's Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors.
3 6 (3) Includes the following: (a) 526,567 shares held by the Trust u/w/o Albert S. Holzwasser (see Note 4 below), of which Mrs. Holzwasser is one of three Trustees. The Trustees, acting by majority vote, have voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares held by the Trust. (b) 10,000 shares held by the Mary S. Holzwasser Charitable Trust (the "Charitable Trust") under a Declaration of Trust dated August 23, 1979, of which Mrs. Holzwasser is a co-Trustee with Lawrence M. Levinson. Mr. Levinson and Mrs. Holzwasser, as co-Trustees, have voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares subject to the Charitable Trust. In addition to the foregoing, Mary S. Holzwasser (i) is the sole beneficiary of the Voting Trust Agreement described in Note 2(a) above, and upon expiration of said Voting Trust Agreement on March 28, 1998 (assuming no extension) she would obtain voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares subject thereto; and (ii) has entered into a Pledge Agreement with Harry A. Holzwasser, pursuant to which she received a pledge of and security interest in 100,000 shares of the common stock of the Company held by Mr. Holzwasser to secure certain indebtedness of Mr. Holzwasser to Mrs. Holzwasser. If the Voting Trust Agreement were to expire and an event of default were to occur under the Pledge Agreement at a time when Mrs. Holzwasser was living and still a Trustee under the Trust u/w/o Albert S. Holzwasser and the Mary S. Holzwasser Charitable Trust, Mrs. Holzwasser could, by exercise of her rights under the Pledge Agreement, acquire beneficial ownership of up to 1,477,555 shares of the common stock of the Company, representing approximately 51.43% of the presently issued and outstanding common stock of the Company. (4) The principal beneficial interest in the Trust u/w/o Albert S. Holzwasser is held by Mary S. Holzwasser during her lifetime, and thereafter by Harry A. Holzwasser, Mary Sue Rosenthal and Jo-Ann Cohn. Mary Sue Rosenthal and Jo-Ann Cohn are the adult daughters of Mary S. Holzwasser. The trustees, acting by majority vote, have voting and dispositive power with respect to the subject shares. (5) Includes 2,000 shares held by Mr. Holzwasser's wife, Carole Holzwasser. (6) As reported in the Schedule 13G filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Dimensional Fund Advisors Inc. ("Dimensional") on or about February 7, 1996. Dimensional, a registered investment advisor, holds these shares in the portfolios of DFA Investment Dimensions Group Inc., a registered open-end investment company, or in series of the DFA Investment Trust Company, a Delaware business trust, or the DFA Group Trust and DFA Participation Group Trust, investment vehicles for qualified employee benefit plans, all of which Dimensional serves as investment manager. Dimensional has advised the Company that it disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares. (7) Includes presently exercisable options to purchase 20,000 shares under the Company's 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan. (8) Includes presently exercisable options to purchase 6,800 shares under the Company's 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan. (9) Includes (a) 10,725 shares held as custodian for his four children; and (b) presently exercisable options to purchase 10,000 shares under the Company's 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan. (10) Includes presently exercisable options to purchase 10,000 shares under the Company's 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan. (11) Includes presently exercisable options to purchase 5,000 shares under the Company's Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors. 4 7 (12) Includes: (a) presently exercisable options to purchase a total of 84,000 shares under the Company's 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan and (b) presently exercisable options to purchase a total of 10,000 shares under the Company's Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors. BOARD OF DIRECTORS The following table sets forth certain information concerning each director whose term is continuing and each director nominated for election or re-election. The principal occupation of each director, except as otherwise indicated in the table, has remained unchanged during the past five years.
YEAR FIRST DIRECTORS CONTINUING FOR TERMS ELECTED TERM EXPIRING IN 1997 OR 1998 AGE DIRECTOR EXPIRING ------------------------------ --- --------- -------- Jim L. Osment..................................................... 57 1989 1997 President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company James F. Fagan.................................................... 48 1989 1997 Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company Winthrop P. Rockefeller........................................... 48 1993 1997 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Winrock Farms, Inc. Mary S. Holzwasser(1)............................................. 84 1945 1998 Investor; Formerly an Officer of the Company Harry A. Holzwasser(2)............................................ 72 1948 1998 Chairman of the Board of the Company Lawrence M. Levinson(3)........................................... 78 1971 1998 Clerk of the Company; Partner at Burns & Levinson LLP, Attorneys, Boston, Massachusetts NOMINEES FOR TERM EXPIRING IN 1999 ----------------- Alan Steinert, Jr.(4)............................................. 60 1983 1996 Chief of Staff, Health and Human Services, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (October, 1995 - present) Under Secretary, Executive Office of Environmental Affairs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (May 1993 - October, 1995); President, The Eastern Company (1986 - November, 1991) Robert A. Holzwasser(2)........................................... 42 1983 1996 Vice President -- Engineering Operations and Product Development of the Company Joel D. Holzwasser(2)............................................. 40 1984 1996 Vice President -- Advertising and Public Relations of the Company - - --------------- (1) Mary S. Holzwasser is the widow of Albert S. Holzwasser, the founder of the Company. (2) Harry A. Holzwasser is the father of Robert A. Holzwasser and Joel D. Holzwasser, and the son of the late Albert S. Holzwasser, the founder of the Company.
5 8 (3) Lawrence M. Levinson is also a director of Independent Bank Corp. and Sonesta International Hotels Corporation. (4) An involuntary petition under Chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. sec.101, et. seq., was filed against The Eastern Company on November 7, 1991. Alan Steinert, Jr. is also a director of Iona Appliances, Inc. Committees and Meetings of the Board of Directors The Company has a standing Executive Committee, Audit Committee and Compensation, Bonus and Stock Option Plan Committee of the Board of Directors. There are no nominating or similar committees of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee is comprised of Lawrence M. Levinson (Chairman), Harry A. Holzwasser and Jim L. Osment. The Executive Committee possesses, with certain exceptions, all of the power and authority of the Board of Directors in the management and direction of the business, property and affairs of the Company. During fiscal 1996, the Executive Committee took five (5) actions by unanimous written consent. The Audit Committee consists of Alan Steinert, Jr. (Chairman), Lawrence M. Levinson and Winthrop P. Rockefeller. The function of the Audit Committee is to make recommendations to the Board regarding the engagement of independent public accountants, to review and approve the scope of the audit and the fees and other arrangements with respect to such services, to review with the independent public accountants the results of the audit engagement, and to generally review the adequacy of the Company's accounting systems and internal controls. There were four (4) meetings of the Audit Committee during the 1996 fiscal year. The Compensation, Bonus and Stock Option Plan Committee consists of Lawrence M. Levinson (Chairman), Winthrop P. Rockefeller and Alan Steinert, Jr. The function of this committee is to review and make recommendations to the Board with respect to compensation and bonuses for officers of the Company, and to administer the Company's 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan. The Compensation, Bonus and Stock Option Plan Committee held no meetings during the 1996 fiscal year. The Board of Directors held four (4) meetings during the 1996 fiscal year, and took four (4) actions by unanimous written consent. Each of the directors attended at least 75% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and the committees on which he or she served during fiscal 1996. 6 9 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY The following table sets forth certain information concerning each executive officer of the Company. The term of office of each executive officer extends until the first meeting of the Board of Directors following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders and thereafter until the executive officer's successor is duly chosen and qualified, or until the executive officer's earlier resignation, death, removal from office or disqualification.
NAME OF EXECUTIVE OFFICER EXECUTIVE OFFICE HELD AGE ------------------------- --------------------- --- Harry A. Holzwasser(1)................... Chairman of the Board 72 Jim L. Osment(1)......................... President and Chief Executive 57 Officer James F. Fagan(1)........................ Executive Vice President, Treasurer 48 and Chief Financial Officer William J. Ledbetter(2).................. Vice President -- Marketing 46 Robert A. Holzwasser(1).................. Vice President -- Engineering 42 Operations and Product Development Joel D. Holzwasser(1).................... Vice President -- Advertising and 40 Public Relations Charles W. DeVore(3)..................... Vice President -- Corporate 55 Administration Kathaleen M. Carroll-Coelho(4)........... Vice President and Controller 41 W. Harold Henderson(5)................... Vice President -- Manufacturing 56 Terry Reynolds(6)........................ Vice President -- Human Resources 51 Stephen D. Hoane(7)...................... Vice President -- Sales 46 - - --------------- (1) Harry A. Holzwasser, Robert A. Holzwasser, Joel D. Holzwasser, Jim L. Osment and James F. Fagan are also directors of the Company. Reference is made to the section entitled "Board of Directors" for further information concerning their background. (2) Mr. Ledbetter was elected a vice president of the Company in September, 1991, after serving as Customer Service Manager of the Company from 1986 to September, 1991. (3) Mr. DeVore was elected a vice president of the Company in April, 1989. (4) Mrs. Carroll-Coelho was elected a vice president of the Company in June, 1990. (5) Mr. Henderson was elected a vice president of the Company in July, 1990. (6) Mr. Reynolds was elected a vice president of the Company in December, 1993, after serving as Director of Human Resources for Manufacturing Operations of the Company from December, 1990 to December, 1993. (7) Mr. Hoane was elected a vice president of the Company in September, 1995. Prior to September, 1995, Mr. Hoane served as Corporate Director of Sales for Crane Technologies from February, 1995 to September, 1995, and as the National Sales Manager of the Company from July, 1994 to February, 1995, and Regional Sales Manager of the Company from May, 1991 to July, 1994.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The following table sets forth the compensation paid by the Company for the 1994 - 1996 fiscal years to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and each of the other four most highly paid executive officers of the Company (each a "named executive officer"). 7 10 SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
LONG TERM COMPENSATION ---------------------------------- ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS PAYOUTS --------------------------------- ----------------------- -------- OTHER ANNUAL RESTRICTED SECURITIES COMPEN- STOCK UNDERLYING LTIP ALL OTHER NAME AND SALARY BONUS SATION AWARD(S) OPTIONS/ PAYOUTS COMPENSA- PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($)(1) ($) ($) SARS(#) ($) TION($) ------------------ ---- ------ ------ ------------- ---------- ---------- -------- ------------ Jim L. Osment, Chief.......... 1996 $244,231 -- $ 724 (2) -- -- -- $1,625(2)(3) Executive Officer 1995 $247,116 -- $ 619 (2) -- -- -- $1,565(2)(3) and President 1994 $208,029 $4,161 $3,613(1)(2) -- -- -- $ 775(2) Harry A. Holzwasser........... 1996 $396,157 -- $3,640 (2) -- -- -- $5,141(2) Chairman of the 1995 $400,836 -- $3,055 (2) -- -- -- $4,583(2) Board 1994 $405,515 $4,717 $5,004(1)(2) -- -- -- $4,140(2) James F. Fagan................ 1996 $175,846 -- $ 254 (2) -- -- -- $ 848(2)(3) Executive Vice 1995 $177,924 -- $ 121 (2) -- -- -- $ 704(2)(3) President, 1994 $155,051 $3,101 $2,339(1)(2) -- -- -- $ 158(2) Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer Robert A. Holzwasser.......... 1996 $117,872 -- $ 95 (2) -- -- -- $ 499(2)(3) Vice President -- 1995 $118,372 -- $ 84 (2) -- -- -- $ 498(2)(3) Engineering Operations 1994 $116,016 $2,320 $1,442(1)(2) -- -- -- $ 135(2) and Product Development William J. Ledbetter.......... 1996 $117,231 -- -- -- -- -- $ 345 (3) Vice President -- 1995 $118,616 -- -- -- -- -- $ 355 (3) Marketing 1994 $120,000 $2,400 $1,471(1) -- -- -- -- - - --------------- (1) The Company amended its profit sharing plan for salaried and clerical employees to eliminate all executive officers from plan eligibility effective in fiscal 1994 in order to preserve the tax-qualified status of said plan. In lieu of the benefits provided to participants under the profit sharing plan in fiscal 1994, the Company approved the payment to each executive of a bonus equal to 2% of his or her base compensation for fiscal 1994 (up to a maximum base salary of $235,840), grossed-up to cover the executive's tax liability with respect to such bonus. Included in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading "Bonus" for fiscal 1994 are the amounts paid to each named executive officer as a bonus and included in said table for fiscal 1994 under "Other Annual Compensation" are the amounts paid to each named executive officer to cover his tax liability in connection with this bonus. No bonus was paid to any of the named executive officers in fiscal 1995 or 1996. (2) The Company has Executive Life Insurance Agreements with certain of the named executive officers, which agreements are funded by so-called "split-dollar" life insurance policies on the lives of the participating executive officers. These agreements, in conjunction with the Company's group life insurance plan, provide the named executives with the same life insurance benefit currently provided to all executive employees of the Company (i.e. three times salary, not to exceed $625,000). The Company is the sole owner of the life insurance policies funding these agreements, and all proceeds therefrom in excess of the executive's death benefit are payable to the Company. The death benefit payable with respect to each executive is limited in all events to that portion of the proceeds of the life insurance policy payable to his beneficiaries by the insurance company under the terms of the policy, and the Company is under no obligation to maintain these policies in effect or to purchase replacement policies in the event of their cancellation. The Executive Life Insurance Agreements require that the executive pay that portion of the premiums on the underlying insurance policies which is equal to the cost of one-year term insurance of an equivalent amount, and that the Company pay the balance of such premiums. During each of the last three fiscal years, the Company has reimbursed each of the participating executives for that portion of the
8 11 premium required to be paid by them, grossed-up to cover the executive's tax liability for such reimbursement. Included in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading "All Other Compensation" are the amounts reimbursed to certain of the named executive officers for their portion of the premiums, and included in said table under the heading "Other Annual Compensation" are the amounts of the gross-ups paid to certain of the named executive officers to cover their tax liability in respect of such reimbursements. (3) The Company maintains a 401(k) plan for its employees, including the named executives. Under the plan, the Company makes matching contributions to the employees in an amount equal to 10% of elective deferrals that an employee makes, provided that no match exceeds 4% of the employee's compensation and further provided that all matching contributions meet a certain non-discrimination test. Included in the Summary Compensation Table under the heading "All Other Compensation" are the amounts of the Companys matching contributions made under the plan for the 1996 fiscal year on behalf of certain of the named executive officers. Compensation of Directors Lawrence M. Levinson, Winthrop P. Rockefeller and Alan Steinert, Jr. each received $10,000 as a director's fee for fiscal 1996. Neither Mrs. Holzwasser nor any director who is also an employee of the Company is paid any fees or other remuneration for service on the Board of Directors or any board committee. Employment Contracts In May, 1991, the Company entered into five-year employment agreements with Jim L. Osment and James F. Fagan. In May, 1994, these agreements were amended to extend the term until June, 1999, and to increase their respective minimum annual salaries from $200,000 to $250,000 for Mr. Osment and from $150,000 to $180,000 for Mr. Fagan. Upon termination of either Mr. Osment's or Mr. Fagan's employment due to mental or physical disability or illness, the Company is obligated to continue to pay them their respective base salaries until they become eligible to receive benefits under a Company maintained disability insurance plan, or if they are not participants in or otherwise not eligible to receive benefits under a Company maintained disability insurance plan, for a period of three (3) months following the date of such termination. Upon termination of either Mr. Osment's or Mr. Fagan's employment agreement as a result of a change of control which is not approved by the Board of Directors, the Company is obligated to (i) continue any fringe benefits for the remainder of the term of the employment agreement, which include pension or profit sharing plans and any accident or health insurance plans; and (ii) pay the employee an amount equal to three times the average annual compensation paid to him for the previous five taxable years of the Company, less the sum of the present value of any fringe benefits provided pursuant to the foregoing clause (i) plus one dollar. The Company has a right to terminate these agreements for "proper cause," as defined in the agreements, in which event the employee would not be entitled to receive any further compensation or benefits under the agreements, except for compensation then due and payable but remaining unpaid. These agreements also contain non-competition and confidentiality commitments. In February, 1994, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Harry A. Holzwasser for an initial term ending in June, 1998, which term was to be automatically extended for an unlimited number of successive terms of one year each unless and until terminated by the Company by giving written notice not less than 6 months prior to the end of the initial term or any one year continuation. The agreement was amended in August, 1995 to limit the number of successive one-year terms following the initial term for which the agreement may be extended to two, and to require that Mr. Holzwasser serve in a consulting capacity to the Company at the Company's request for a period of five (5) years following the expiration of his employment with the Company. 9 12 This agreement, as amended, provides for a minimum annual salary of $405,000 throughout the term of his employment, and an annual amount equal to 50% of this minimum annual salary for a period of five years following the expiration of the term of his employment. The Company has a right to terminate this agreement for "proper cause," as defined in the agreement, in which event Mr. Holzwasser would not be entitled to receive any further compensation or benefits under the agreement, except for compensation then due and payable but remaining unpaid. In the event of his total disability during the initial term or any continuation of the term of his employment under the agreement, the Company is obligated to pay Mr. Holzwasser an annual amount equal to 50% of his minimum annual salary (less the amount of any proceeds received by him under any disability insurance policy maintained by the Company) commencing on the date of total disability and continuing for the duration of such total disability but not for more than five years. In the event of Mr. Holzwasser's death during the initial term or any continuation of the term of his employment under this agreement, the Company is obligated to pay to Carole Holzwasser, Mr. Holzwasser's wife, an annual amount equal to 50% of his minimum annual salary commencing on the date of his death and continuing for a period of five years, less the time, if any, Mr. Holzwasser was disabled. This agreement also contains non-competition and confidentiality commitments. Pension Plans The Company has Supplemental Benefit Agreements with two named executive officers, Messrs. Osment and Fagan. These agreements provide that in the event of the death, retirement, termination of employment following a change of control or other termination of the executive's employment by the executive or by the Company for any reason (with or without cause), except by reason of criminal or dishonest acts or acts of moral turpitude by the executive, the Company shall pay to the executive officer or his beneficiaries until his death or for a period of ten years, whichever is longer, an annual amount equal to 50% of the executive officer's average annual base salary (exclusive of bonuses and other benefits) during the last 36 months of his employment with the Company. No termination or retirement benefits are payable to the executive officer under the agreement unless his retirement or termination of employment occurs after the later of the executive officer's 55th birthday or the date on which the executive officer has been continuously employed by the Company for a period of 15 years, except in the event of the executive's death or a change of control of the Company. The Supplemental Benefit Agreements also contain non-competition and confidentiality commitments by the executive officer. The Company's obligations under the Supplemental Benefit Agreements are limited in all events to an amount not greater than the benefits available to the Company under life insurance policies carried by the Company on the life of such executive officer to fund such obligations, less the aggregate net outlay by the Company on such policies. The estimated annual benefits payable under the Supplemental Benefit Agreements are illustrated in the table below, assuming the stated compensation levels. PENSION PLAN TABLE
FINAL 3-YEAR AVERAGE ESTIMATED BASE SALARY ANNUAL BENEFIT -------------------- -------------- $150,000............................................ $ 75,000 175,000............................................ 87,500 200,000............................................ 100,000 225,000............................................ 112,500 250,000............................................ 125,000 275,000............................................ 137,500 300,000............................................ 150,000
The compensation on which the benefits under the Supplemental Benefit Agreements are based is the amount reported in the salary column of the Summary Compensation Table. Mr. Osment is 57 years old and has been an employee of the Company for more than fifteen years, and therefore has met the service and age 10 13 requirements under his Supplemental Benefit Agreement. Mr. Fagan is 48 years old and has been an employee of the Company for approximately thirteen years. Stock Options During the 1996 fiscal year, no stock options were granted to or exercised by any of the named executive officers. The following table provides information as to the value of unexercised options held as of June 29, 1996 by named executives. AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION/SAR VALUES
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS/SARS OPTIONS/SARS AT FY-END (#) AT FY-END ($) ----------------- ----------------- SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE EXERCISABLE/ EXERCISABLE/ NAME ON EXERCISE (#) REALIZED($) UNEXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE(1) ---- --------------- ----------- ------------- ---------------- Jim L. Osment................. -- -- 20,000/5,000 -- Harry A. Holzwasser........... -- -- -- -- James F. Fagan................ -- -- 10,000/2,500 -- Robert A. Holzwasser.......... -- -- 6,800/1,700 -- William J. Ledbetter.......... -- -- 10,000/2,500 -- - - --------------- (1) The exercise price of the options was greater than the closing price of the Company's common stock on June 28, 1996.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation The following non-employee directors served on the Compensation, Bonus and Stock Option Plan Committee (the "Committee") of the Company during fiscal 1996: Lawrence M. Levinson, Alan Steinert, Jr. and Winthrop Rockefeller. Mr. Levinson, a director and the Clerk of the Company, is a partner of the law firm of Burns & Levinson LLP, counsel for the Company. During the 1996 fiscal year, Burns & Levinson LLP received legal fees from the Company not exceeding five (5%) percent of the firm's gross revenues. Report of the Compensation, Bonus and Stock Option Plan Committee of the Board of Directors Regarding Executive Compensation The compensation policies and practices of the Company applicable to its executive officers (including the Chief Executive Officer) are established by the Compensation, Bonus and Stock Option Plan Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee"), working in conjunction with senior management and the full Board of Directors. The Committee is composed entirely of individuals who are outside directors. Compensation Philosophy ----------------------- The Committee periodically reviews and approves, with any modifications it deems appropriate, recommendations developed and submitted by senior management regarding the salaries and other compensation to be paid to all executive officers. In making decisions regarding the compensation of executive officers, the Committee strives to create compensation packages that will attract and retain qualified executives and motivate those individuals to perform to the full extent of their abilities, while at the same time recognizing and promoting the financial interests of the Company's stockholders. 11 14 The Company's executive compensation packages generally consist of base salary, long-term incentive compensation in the form of stock options granted under the Company's incentive stock option plan, and participation in various Company sponsored benefit plans including the Supplemental Benefit Plan, Executive Life Insurance Plan, 401(k) Plan and medical insurance plan. The Company has entered into employment contracts with certain of its executive officers (including the Chief Executive Officer) which the Committee and the Board of Directors feel are particularly key to the success of the Company going forward (as described above under the caption "Employment Contracts"). Salaries and Bonuses -------------------- In determining whether the base salary of any executive officer should be adjusted in any fiscal year or whether any executive should receive a bonus or bonuses in any fiscal year, and the amounts of such adjustments or bonuses, if any, the Committee considers all relevant information, including both objective and subjective factors. The factors typically considered include the individual performance of the executive relative to specific goals established by senior management for that executive, the Chief Executive Officer's and other senior management's perception and evaluation of such individual's performance, any changes or increases in the responsibilities assigned to the individual, the performance of the operations directed by such individual (both operationally and financially), increases in cost of living, and the financial performance of the Company as a whole. None of the executive officers received any bonuses or any increases in their respective base salaries during fiscal 1996. In May, 1995, all of the executives (including those with employment contracts) agreed to a ten percent reduction in their base salaries pending improvement of the Company's operating results as part of a Company-wide cost reduction program implemented in the fourth quarter of the 1995 fiscal year to mitigate the effects of the decline in sales experienced by the Company in the third and fourth quarters of the 1995 fiscal year. In light of the improvement in operating results achieved by the Company in the first quarter of fiscal 1996, the base salaries of the executives were restored to prior levels in November, 1995. In June, 1996, however, the executives again agreed to a ten percent reduction in their respective base salaries as a result of the poor operating results achieved by the Company in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 1996, which remains in effect as of the date hereof. Incentive Compensation ---------------------- Most of the executives hold stock options granted under the Company's incentive stock option plan. Stock options are intended to serve as long- term incentive compensation. The value of compensation provided to executive officers of the Company in the form of stock options granted under the Company's stockholder approved incentive stock option plans is directly tied to the future performance of the Company's stock. Options granted under these plans have an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company's stock on the date of grant. Accordingly, these options have no value unless subsequent to the date of grant there is appreciation in the market price of the Company's stock. Because of the direct relationship between the value of these options to their recipients and the Company's stock price, the granting of stock options has the effect of aligning the interests of the Company's executives with those of its stockholders. No new stock options were granted to executives during the 1996 fiscal year. Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer ------------------------------------------- In May, 1994, the Company agreed to an amendment of its employment agreement with Jim L. Osment, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, extending the term of the agreement until June 26, 1999, and increasing his base salary from $200,000 per annum to $250,000 per annum. Prior to May, 1994, Mr. Osment had not received an increase in his base salary since the date of his election as President and 12 15 Chief Executive officer in June, 1990. The Committee approved this amendment and salary increase based on Mr. Osment's contributions and leadership role in the restructuring and turn-around of the Company implemented since his election in 1990, as well as his consistent commitment to and continuing development of programs for the long-term success of the Company. Since Mr. Osment assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, he has overseen and directed the development and implementation of innovative programs in the areas of purchasing, manufacturing, customer service, sales and marketing. During the period from June, 1990 through the end of fiscal 1994, the Company increased sales levels, returned to profitability and increased stockholders' equity. These results were achieved during a period of difficult economic conditions in the automotive aftermarket and in the United States generally, and led to a substantial increase in stockholder value. Mr. Osment did not receive any bonuses or any increases in his base salary during fiscal 1996. In May, 1995, Mr. Osment voluntarily reduced his base salary by ten percent pending improvement of the Company's operating results as part of the Company-wide cost reduction program implemented in the fourth quarter described above. His base salary was restored to its prior level in November, 1995, due to the improvement in operating results achieved by the Company during the first quarter of fiscal 1996. However, because of the poor operating results experienced by the Company in the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 1996, Mr. Osment agreed again to reduce his base salary by ten percent pending improvement of the Company's operating results, and that ten percent reduction remains in effect as of the date hereof. In January, 1993, Mr. Osment was granted an option to purchase 25,000 shares under the Company's 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan in recognition of his continued importance to the success of the Company and his accomplishments to date in reducing operating expenses, reorganizing the Company's sales force and returning the Company to profitability. As noted above, the value of this option to Mr. Osment is completely dependent on the performance of the Company's stock price subsequent to the date of grant. Mr. Osment has not received any additional stock options subsequent to the January, 1993 grant. COMPENSATION, BONUS AND STOCK OPTION PLAN COMMITTEE Lawrence M. Levinson, Chairman Alan Steinert, Jr. Winthrop P. Rockefeller 13 16 Stock Performance Graph The following graph sets forth the cumulative total return to the Company's stockholders during the five-year period ended June 29, 1996, compared to an overall stock market index (Dow Jones Equity Market Index) and the Company's peer group index (Dow Jones Automobile Parts and Equipment excluding Tire and Rubber Makers Index) during the same period, in each case assuming reinvestment of dividends.
Measurement Period Stock Market Peer Group (Fiscal Year Covered) Company Index Index 6/29/91 100.00 100.00 100.00 6/27/92 166.67 112.91 123.68 6/26/93 151.52 130.07 158.99 6/25/94 169.70 131.84 161.97 6/24/95 142.42 168.11 180.32 6/29/96 130.30 211.83 212.51
The stock performance graph assumes $100 was invested on June 29, 1991. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS During the 1996 fiscal year, Burns & Levinson LLP, counsel for the Company, of which firm Lawrence M. Levinson, a director and the Clerk of the Company, is a partner, received legal fees from the Company not exceeding five (5%) percent of the firm's gross revenues. The Company formerly leased property in Hudson, Massachusetts, from the Holzwasser Realty Trust, a beneficial interest in which is owned by Harry A. Holzwasser, the children of Harry A. Holzwasser and the children and grandchildren of Mary S. Holzwasser. This property was vacated in 1981 following the shutdown of the plant. It appears that the Company may have been responsible for the release of hazardous waste at the Hudson site. Under the terms of the lease between the Company and the Holzwasser Realty Trust, the Company is responsible for all clean-up costs and other liabilities incurred as a result of the introduction of hazardous waste at said property. A groundwater treatment system has been installed at this site. To date, the Company has incurred expenses of approximately $981,000 in connection with the Hudson site for environmental testing and remedial measures including operating costs for the groundwater treatment system for the clean-up of the site. It is anticipated that the operating costs of the groundwater treatment system will be between $40,000 and $45,000 per year. Treatment or removal of contaminated soil may also be required. 14 17 Because environmental testing is still being conducted at this site, as well as on adjacent properties to determine the extent (if any) of off-site contamination, the exact scope of the final remedial measures that must be undertaken cannot yet be determined. During fiscal 1983, Harry A. Holzwasser, Chairman of the Board and a director of the Company, borrowed $58,800 from the Company pursuant to a non-interest bearing demand promissory note, which (as of October 2, 1996) had an outstanding balance of $53,800. During fiscal 1985, Mr. Holzwasser borrowed $450,000 from the Company under a demand promissory note bearing interest at a rate equal to the Company's average borrowing rate, which (as of October 2, 1996) had an outstanding principal balance of $297,297 with accrued interest of $6,951. The largest aggregate amount outstanding under these two loans at any time during the 1996 fiscal year (including all principal and accrued interest) was $391,097. During the period from fiscal 1985 through fiscal 1990, James F. Fagan, Executive Vice President, Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer and a director of the Company, borrowed a total of $57,500 from the Company under a series of demand promissory notes bearing interest at a rate equal to the Company's average borrowing rate. As of October 2, 1996, these notes had an aggregate principal balance of $41,180 and accrued interest of approximately $31,418. The largest aggregate amount outstanding under these loans at any time during the 1996 fiscal year (including all principal and accrued interest) was $74,609. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires officers and directors of the Company and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of the Company's equity securities (collectively, "Reporting Persons") to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership of the Company's Common Stock with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and to furnish the Company with copies of all such reports. Based solely on its review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Company by such Reporting Persons or on the written representations of such Reporting Persons that no reports were required, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended June 29, 1996, all of the Reporting Persons complied with their Section 16(a) filing requirements with respect to their ownership of the Company's Common Stock. STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS Proposals of stockholders intended to be presented at the 1997 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must comply with Rule 14a-8 of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and must be received at the corporate headquarters of the Company not later than June 20, 1997. OTHER MATTERS The Board of Directors knows of no matters, other than those discussed in Part I above, which are to be brought before this meeting. However, if any matter not now known is presented at the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy to vote said proxy in accordance with their judgment on such matter. 15 18 The Company will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies. Solicitation of proxies by mail may be followed by telephone or other personal solicitation of certain stockholders by officers or other employees of the Company. By order of the Board of Directors LAWRENCE M. LEVINSON, Clerk October 18, 1996. If you do not expect to be present at this meeting and wish your stock to be voted, you are requested to date, sign and mail promptly the enclosed proxy which is being solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors. A return envelope, which requires no postage, is enclosed for this purpose. ANY STOCKHOLDER MAY REVOKE HIS OR HER PROXY AT ANY TIME BEFORE IT HAS BEEN EXERCISED 16 19 ARROW AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES, INC. PROXY FOR 1996 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 13, 1996 THIS PROXY IS BEING SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned, having received notice of meeting and proxy statement of the Board of Directors, hereby appoint(s) Jim L. Osment and James F. Fagan, and each of them acting singly, attorneys or attorney of the undersigned (with full power of substitution in them and in each of them) for and in the name(s) of the undersigned to attend the 1996 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Arrow Automotive Industries, Inc. to be held at the offices of Burns and Levinson LLP, 125 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, on Wednesday, November 13, 1996, at 10:00 a.m., and any adjournment or adjournments thereof, and there to vote and act in regard to all matters which may properly come before said meeting (except those matters as to which authority is hereinafter withheld) upon and in respect to all shares of Common Stock of said corporation upon or in respect of which the undersigned would be entitled to vote or act, and with all powers the undersigned would possess if personally present, and especially (but without limiting the general authorization and power hereby given) to vote and act as directed by the undersigned on the reverse side of this proxy card. THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FAVORS THE PROPOSALS SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE. IF NO INSTRUCTIONS ARE INDICATED, THE UNDERSIGNED'S VOTE WILL BE CAST IN THE ELECTION OF DIRECTORS FOR THE NOMINEES LISTED IN THE PROXY STATEMENT AND WILL BE CAST FOR PROPOSAL (2) ON THE REVERSE. Attendance of the undersigned at said meeting or at any adjournment or adjournments thereof will not be deemed to revoke this proxy unless the undersigned shall affirmatively indicate thereat his intention to vote said shares in person. (TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE) /X/ PLEASE MARK YOUR VOTES AS IN THIS EXAMPLE. FOR WITHHELD Nominees: Alan Steinert, Jr. all From all Robert A. Holzwasser nominees nominees Joel D. Holzwasser 1. ELECTION OF / / / / DIRECTORS / / For, except vote withheld from the following nominee(s) -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 2. Proposal to ratify and approve the selection of the firm of Ernst & Young LLP as auditors / / / / / / of the Corporation. The undersigned hereby confer(s) upon said attorneys and proxies, and each of them discretionary authority to vote (a) upon any other matters or proposals not known at the time of the solicitation of this proxy which may properly come before the meeting, and (b) with respect to the selection of directors in the event of any unforeseen emergency. MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE AT LEFT / / Please mark, sign, date and return this proxy card promptly using the enclosed envelope. SIGNATURE(S) DATE 1996 ---------------------------------------- ------------------- Note: In signing, please write name exactly as appearing on imprint. For stock held jointly, each owner should personally sign. For stock held by a corporation, affix corporate seal. If a fiduciary capacity is attributed to the undersigned in the imprint hereon, this proxy is singed by the undersigned in that capacity. -----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----