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
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¨ | Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |
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¨ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
þ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Registrant
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)
Payment of filing fee (Check the appropriate box):
þ | No fee required. |
¨ | Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
3333 WEST GOOD HOPE ROAD
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53209
Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be held on October 6, 2015
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the Annual Meeting) of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, a Wisconsin corporation (the Corporation or STRATTEC), will be held at the Radisson Hotel, 7065 North Port Washington Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217, on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. local time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect two directors to each serve for a three-year term.
2. To approve a non-binding advisory proposal on executive compensation.
3. To take action with respect to any other matters that may be properly brought before the meeting and that might be considered by the shareholders of a Wisconsin corporation at their Annual Meeting.
By order of the Board of Directors |
PATRICK J. HANSEN, |
Secretary |
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 4, 2015
Shareholders of record at the close of business on August 20, 2015 are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Your vote is important to ensure that a majority of our stock is represented. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please complete, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it promptly in the enclosed envelope. If you later find that you may be present at the Annual Meeting or for any other reason desire to revoke your proxy, you may do so at any time before it is voted. Shareholders holding shares in brokerage accounts (street name holders) who wish to vote at the Annual Meeting will need to obtain a proxy form and voting instructions from the institution that holds their shares.
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Annual Report to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K |
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STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
3333 WEST GOOD HOPE ROAD
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN 53209
Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be Held on October 6, 2015
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on October 6, 2015:
This Proxy Statement and the Accompanying Annual Report
are Available at www.strattec.com
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION of proxies, in the accompanying form, to be used at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of STRATTEC (the Annual Meeting) to be held at the Radisson Hotel, 7065 North Port Washington Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217, on Tuesday, October 6, 2015, at 8:00 a.m., local time, and any adjournments thereof. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on August 20, 2015 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. There will be no presentation regarding our operations at the Annual Meeting. The only matters to be discussed are the matters set forth in this Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and such other matters as are properly presented at the Annual Meeting.
Our principal executive offices are located at 3333 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209. It is expected that our Annual Report to Shareholders, this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of Proxy will be mailed, furnished or otherwise made available to shareholders on or about September 4, 2015.
The shares represented by each valid proxy received in time will be voted at the Annual Meeting and, if a choice is specified in the proxy, it will be voted in accordance with that specification. If you submit a proxy without providing voting instructions, the shares represented by that proxy will be voted For:
| election to the Board of Directors of the two nominees named on the accompanying proxy; and |
| approval of a non-binding advisory proposal on executive compensation. |
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If any other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, including, among other things, consideration of a motion to adjourn the meeting to another time or place, the individuals named as proxies and acting thereunder will have the authority to vote on those matters according to their best judgment to the same extent as the person delivering the proxy would be entitled to vote. If the Annual Meeting is adjourned or postponed, a proxy will remain valid and may be voted at the adjourned or postponed meeting. As of the date of printing of this Proxy Statement, we do not know of any other matters that are to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than (1) the election of the nominee directors and (2) the non-binding advisory proposal on executive compensation.
Shareholders may revoke proxies at any time to the extent they have not been exercised by giving us written notice or by delivering a later executed proxy. Attendance at the Annual Meeting will not automatically revoke a proxy, but a record shareholder attending the Annual Meeting may request a ballot and vote in person, thereby revoking a prior granted proxy. The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by STRATTEC. Shareholders holding shares in brokerage accounts (street name holders) who wish to vote at the Annual Meeting will need to obtain a proxy form and voting instructions from the institution that holds their shares. Solicitation will be made primarily by use of the mail; provided, however, some solicitation may be made by our management employees, without payment of any additional compensation, by telephone, by facsimile, by email or in person.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on August 20, 2015 will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. On the record date, we had outstanding 3,636,437 shares of our common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the Common Stock), entitled to one vote per share.
A majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting, represented either in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum with respect to the meeting. Under Wisconsin law and our Bylaws, the vote required for approval of the matters specified in the Notice of the Annual Meeting is as follows:
| A plurality of votes cast is required for the election of directors. This means that the two director nominees with the most votes received will be elected. |
| Approval of the non-binding advisory proposal on executive compensation requires the number of properly cast votes in favor of this proposal to exceed the number of properly cast votes against this proposal. |
| Approval of any other matter that may properly be presented at the Annual Meeting will require the number of properly cast votes in favor of such matter to exceed the number of properly cast votes against such matter. |
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Abstentions and broker nonvotes (i.e., shares held by brokers in street name, voting on certain matters due to discretionary authority or instructions from the beneficial owners but not voting on other matters due to lack of authority to vote on such matters without instructions from the beneficial owner) will count toward the quorum requirement but will not count toward the determination of whether the directors are elected or whether such other matters noted above are approved. The Inspector of Election appointed by our Board of Directors will count the votes and ballots.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The proxies appointed in the accompanied form of proxy are expected to vote for the election of the nominees noted in the following table to serve as directors of STRATTEC. Our Board of Directors is divided into three classes, with the term of office of each class ending in successive years. Two directors are to be elected at the Annual Meeting to each serve for a term of three years expiring in 2018 and three directors will continue to serve for the terms designated in the table shown below. As indicated below, the individuals nominated by our Board of Directors for election at the Annual Meeting are each an incumbent director. The table below also provides brief biographies of each of our incumbent directors, including the nominee directors for this years Annual Meeting. We anticipate that the nominees listed in this Proxy Statement will be candidates when the election is held. However, if an unexpected occurrence should make it necessary, in the judgment of the proxy holders, to substitute some other person for a nominee director, proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee selected by the proxy holders (except where a proxy withholds authority with respect to the election of directors).
The following table provides information as of the date of this Proxy Statement about each nominee for election to our Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting and about each of our incumbent directors who are continuing as directors of STRATTEC after the Annual Meeting. The information presented includes information each nominee or director has given us about his age, his principal occupation and business experience for the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies of which he currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly evaluates the mix of experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of our directors using a matrix of areas that the Committee considers important for our business. In addition to the information presented below regarding the nominees specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to the conclusion that the nominee should serve as a director, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also considered the qualifications and criteria described below under Corporate Governance Matters Director Nominations with the objective of creating a complementary mix of directors.
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Board of Directors Recommendation
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR the election of Harold M. Stratton II and Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr. as directors of STRATTEC, each for a three year term expiring in 2018.
Name, Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Directorships |
Age | Director Since |
||||||
Nominees for election at the Annual Meeting (Class of 2018): |
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HAROLD M. STRATTON II |
67 | 1994 | ||||||
Chairman of the Board of Directors of STRATTEC since February 1999 (non-executive chairman since September 2012). Chief Executive Officer of STRATTEC from February 1999 until August 31, 2012. President of STRATTEC from October 2004 to December 31, 2009. President and Chief Executive Officer of STRATTEC from February 1995 to February 1999. Director and Chairman of the Pension Committee and a member of the Audit and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees of Twin Disc Inc. and a member of the Board of Managers of Smith Investment Company LLC.
Mr. Stratton has gained extensive experience and skills through his activities as an executive of STRATTEC and its predecessor for a period of over 25 years ending in 2012, including experience related to strategic planning, operations, corporate communication and sales and marketing. As a result, Mr. Stratton has obtained a deep knowledge and understanding of our business, industry and strategies, all of which led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of STRATTEC. |
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THOMAS W. FLORSHEIM, JR. |
57 | 2012 | ||||||
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Weyco Group, Inc. since 2002. Prior to that, Mr. Florsheim was President and Chief Executive Officer of the Weyco Group, Inc. from 1999 to 2002, President and Chief Operating Officer from 1996 to 1999, and Vice President from 1988 to 1996. Chairman and a director of Weyco Group, Inc.
Mr. Florsheim is a chairman and chief executive officer of a public company. His skill sets include experience in mergers and acquisitions, financial oversight, compensation matters and organizational development. His career in the consumer goods industry has exposed him to manufacturing, marketing and engineering solutions on a global basis. This business and career experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of STRATTEC. |
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Name, Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Directorships |
Age | Director Since |
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Incumbent Director (Class of 2016): |
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FRANK J. KREJCI |
65 | 1995 | ||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer of STRATTEC since September 1, 2012. President and Chief Operating Officer of STRATTEC from January 1, 2010 until August 31, 2012. President of Wisconsin Furniture, LLC (d/b/a The Custom Shoppe, a manufacturer of custom furniture) from June 1996 until December 31, 2009. |
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Mr. Krejci is the sitting chief executive officer of STRATTEC and has gained extensive experience and skills through his activities as an executive of STRATTEC for the past number of years. His experience includes strategic planning, financial oversight, compensation matters, organizational development, mergers and acquisitions and manufacturing and engineering in related industries. This business experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of STRATTEC. |
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Incumbent Directors (Class of 2017): |
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DAVID R. ZIMMER |
69 | 2006 | ||||||
Retired managing partner and co-founder of Stonebridge Equity LLC (d/b/a Stonebridge Business Partners, a provider of consulting services and financing strategies primarily to automotive-related manufacturing businesses seeking to develop and complement growth plans, strategic partnerships with foreign companies and merger and acquisition strategies). Director and chairman of the Audit and Compensation Committees and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Finance Committees of Twin Disc Inc. Director and chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance and Compensation Committees of Detrex Corporation.
Mr. Zimmer is a former chief executive officer of a public company and a chief financial officer of a subsidiary of a public company. His skill sets include strategic planning, financial oversight, compensation matters and organizational development. His career includes working several years in the automotive industry, international business in complex manufacturing related industries, as well as mergers and acquisitions experience. This business and career experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of STRATTEC. |
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Name, Principal Occupation for Past Five Years and Directorships |
Age | Director Since |
||||||
MICHAEL J. KOSS |
61 | 1995 | ||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer of Koss Corporation (a manufacturer and marketer of high fidelity stereophones for the international consumer electronics market) since 1989. Director and Chairman of the Board of Koss Corporation.
Mr. Koss is a sitting chief executive officer of a public company. His experience includes strategic planning, financial oversight, compensation matters and organizational development. Moreover, his career includes extensive experience in the electronics industry, international business and highly engineered products. This business and career experience led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of STRATTEC.
On December 18, 2009, Koss Corporation (Koss) learned of certain unauthorized transactions made by Sujata Sachdeva, its former Vice President of Finance and Principal Accounting Officer. Koss subsequently learned that Ms. Sachdeva colluded with two other employees of the accounting department in the misappropriation and circumvention of Koss existing internal controls and established operating procedures. Ms. Sachdeva and these other former employees were terminated shortly after Koss learned of the unauthorized transactions. On January 20, 2010, Ms. Sachdeva was indicted in connection with these misappropriations from Koss.
|
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On January 15, 2010, a class action complaint was filed in federal court in Wisconsin against Koss, Michael J. Koss and Sujata Sachdeva. The suit alleged violations of Section 10(b), Rule 10b-5 and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act relating to the unauthorized transactions referenced above and requested an award of compensatory damages in an amount to be proven at trial. An amended complaint was filed on September 10, 2010 adding Grant Thornton LLP as a defendant. Koss and Grant Thornton filed separate Motions to Dismiss the claims. On July 28, 2011, the Court issued an order that dismissed the Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 claims against Michael J. Koss and the claim against Grant Thornton, and ruled that the Section 10(b) and Rule 10b-5 claim against Koss and the Section 20(a) claim against Michael J. Koss survived the motion to dismiss. Koss and Michael J. Koss entered into a Stipulation of Settlement with plaintiffs dated March 6, 2012 that settled all claims against them. The Court approved the settlement and on July 10, 2012, entered a Final Judgment and Order of Dismissal With Prejudice that disposed of the case. See David A. Puskala v. Koss Corporation, et al., United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin, Case No. 2:2010cv00041. |
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DIRECTORS MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
Meetings and Director Attendance
Our Board of Directors held five meetings in fiscal 2015, and all of our nominees and incumbent directors attended 100% of the meetings of our Board of Directors and the committees of the Board on which they served at the time of such meeting.
Executive sessions, or meetings of outside (non-management) directors without management present, are held regularly for a general discussion of relevant subjects. In fiscal 2015, the outside directors met in executive session five times.
The committees of our Board of Directors consist of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. The chart below identifies the members of each of these committees as of the date of this Proxy Statement, along with the number of meetings held by each Committee during fiscal 2015:
Audit | Compensation | Nominating and Corporate Governance | ||||
Number of Meetings |
2 | 2 | 1 | |||
Name of Director: |
||||||
Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr. |
X | X | X* | |||
Michael J. Koss |
X | X* | X | |||
David R. Zimmer |
X* | X | X |
X = committee member; * = committee chairman
The Audit Committee is responsible for assisting our Board of Directors with oversight of: (1) the integrity of our financial statements; (2) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; (3) our independent auditors qualifications and independence; (4) the performance of our internal accounting function and the independent auditors; and (5) the review of the scope and adequacy of our internal accounting controls. Our Audit Committee has the direct authority and responsibility to appoint, replace, compensate, oversee and retain the independent auditors, and is an audit committee for purposes of Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
The Compensation Committee, in addition to such other duties as may be specified by our Board of Directors: (1) oversees and reviews the compensation and benefits of our executive officers (including determining the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer); (2) makes appropriate recommendations to our Board of Directors with respect to our incentive compensation plans and equity-based plans; (3) administers our incentive compensation plans and
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equity-based plans in accordance with the responsibilities assigned to the Committee under any and all such plans, including under our Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers and our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan; and (4) reviews and makes recommendations to our Board of Directors with respect to the compensation of our outside directors, including under our Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Non-Employee Members of the Board of Directors.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in addition to such other duties as may be specified by our Board of Directors, is responsible for assisting our Board of Directors by: (1) identifying individuals qualified to become members of our Board of Directors and its committees; (2) recommending guidelines and criteria to the Board of Directors to determine the qualifications of potential directors; (3) making recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning the size and composition of the Board and its committees; (4) recommending to our Board of Directors nominees for election to the Board at the annual meeting of shareholders; (5) developing and recommending to our Board of Directors a set of corporate governance principles applicable to our business; and (6) assisting our Board of Directors in assessing director performance and the effectiveness of the Board of Directors as a whole.
Our Board of Directors has adopted, and may amend from time to time, a written charter for each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. We make available on our website at www.strattec.com, free of charge, copies of each of these charters. We are not including the information contained on or available through our website as a part of, or incorporating such information by reference into, this Proxy Statement.
Our Board of Directors has reviewed the independence of our continuing directors and the nominees for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting under the applicable listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Based on this review, our Board of Directors determined that each of the following directors is independent under the NASDAQ Stock Market listing standards:
(1) Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr. (3) David R. Zimmer
(2) Michael J. Koss
Based on such listing standards, Harold M. Stratton II and Frank J. Krejci are the only directors who are not independent because Mr. Stratton is our former Chief Executive Officer (he retired from such role effective September 1, 2012) and Mr. Krejci is our current President and Chief Executive Officer.
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We currently have different persons serving as our Chief Executive Officer and as Chairman of our Board of Directors. Harold M. Stratton II served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board from February 1999 until September 1, 2012. We have not had and currently do not have a lead independent director. Although our Board of Directors does not have a formal policy with respect to its leadership structure, prior to September 1, 2012 combining the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman served as an effective link between our managements role of identifying, assessing and managing risks and our Board of Directors role of risk oversight. Mr. Stratton possesses in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and challenges we face, and is thus positioned to develop agendas and highlight issues that ensure that the Board of Directors time and attention are focused on the most critical matters. In essence, our Board of Directors formerly determined that this leadership structure was optimal because it believed that having one leader serving as both the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer provided (taking into account Mr. Strattons experience and knowledge of our business) decisive, consistent and effective leadership, as well as clear accountability. Having one person serve as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer also historically enhanced our ability to communicate our message and strategy clearly and consistently to our shareholders, employees, and business partners, particularly during times of turbulent economic and industry conditions.
Effective September 1, 2012, Mr. Stratton retired as our Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Krejci has assumed this role. Mr. Stratton continues to serve as a non-employee director and as our Chairman of the Board and we expect him to do so for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, since September 1, 2012 we have had different persons serve as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. We decided to separate these roles to (1) facilitate Mr. Strattons desire to phase down his involvement with the day to day operations of STRATTEC but (2) continue to leverage Mr. Strattons in-depth knowledge and experience related to the strategic issues, opportunities and challenges STRATTEC faces. The determination to separate the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, therefore, was based in part upon the same factors described above that led us to conclude in previous years that combining the two offices was in our best interest. The experience, leadership qualities and skills that Mr. Stratton brings to the Board, as detailed in the section captioned Proposal 1: Election of Directors under Mr. Strattons biography, enables Mr. Stratton as the Chairman to be in a position to establish the agendas for meetings of the Board and to lead the discussions of the Board regarding our strategy, operations and management, notwithstanding the fact that he is not an independent director under applicable NASDAQ listing standards.
Although we believe that given the circumstances described above, separating the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer roles is appropriate for the foreseeable future, we will continue to review this issue periodically to determine whether, based on the relevant facts and circumstances at such time, combining these offices would serve our best interests and the best interests of our shareholders.
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The Boards Role in Risk Oversight
The role of our Board of Directors in STRATTECs risk oversight process includes receiving reports from members of our senior management team on areas of material risk to STRATTEC, including operational, financial, legal and regulatory, and strategic and reputational risks. Our Board has authorized the Audit Committee to oversee and periodically review STRATTECs enterprise risk assessment and enterprise risk management policies.
We have a standing Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Based on the review described under Corporate Governance Matters Director Independence, our Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is independent under the applicable listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director nominees recommended by shareholders. A shareholder who wishes to recommend a person or persons for consideration as a nominee for election to the Board of Directors must send a written notice by mail, c/o Secretary, STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, 3333 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209, that sets forth: (1) the name, address (business and residence), date of birth and principal occupation or employment (present and for the past five years) of each person whom the shareholder proposes to be considered as a nominee; (2) the number of shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned (as determined pursuant to section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) by each such proposed nominee; (3) any other information regarding such proposed nominee that would be required to be disclosed in a definitive proxy statement to shareholders prepared in connection with an election of directors pursuant to section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and (4) the name and address (business and residential) of the shareholder making the recommendation and the number of shares of our Common Stock beneficially owned (as determined pursuant to section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) by the shareholder making the recommendation.
We may require any proposed nominee to furnish additional information as may be reasonably required (including pursuant to applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission)) to determine the qualifications of such proposed nominee to serve as a director. Shareholder recommendations will be considered only if received no less than 120 days nor more than 150 days before the anniversary date of the mailing of the proxy statement to shareholders in connection with the previous fiscal years annual meeting of shareholders.
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The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider any nominee recommended by a shareholder in accordance with the preceding paragraph under the same criteria as any other potential nominee. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that a nominee recommended for a position on our Board of Directors must have an appropriate mix of director characteristics, experience, diverse perspectives and skills. Qualifications of a prospective nominee that may be considered by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include:
| personal integrity and high ethical character; |
| professional excellence; |
| accountability and responsiveness; |
| absence of conflicts of interest; |
| fresh intellectual perspectives and ideas; and |
| relevant expertise and experience and the ability to offer advice and guidance to management based on that expertise and experience. |
We do not have a formal policy for the consideration of diversity by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee in identifying nominees for director. Diversity is one of the factors the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may consider and in this respect diversity may include race, gender, national origin or other characteristics.
Communications between Shareholders and the Board of Directors
Our shareholders may communicate with our Board of Directors or any of our individual directors by directing such communication to our Secretary at the address of our corporate headquarters, 3333 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209. Each such communication should indicate that the sender is a shareholder of STRATTEC and that the sender is directing the communication to one or more individual directors or to the Board as a whole.
All communications will be compiled by our Secretary and submitted to our Board of Directors or the individual directors on a monthly basis unless such communications are considered, in the reasonable judgment of our Secretary, to be improper for submission to the intended recipient(s). Examples of shareholder communications that would be considered improper for submission include, without limitation, customer complaints, solicitations, communications that do not relate directly or indirectly to STRATTEC or our business or communications that relate to improper or irrelevant topics. Our Secretary may also attempt to handle a communication directly where appropriate, such as where the communication is a request for information about STRATTEC or where it is a stock-related matter.
Attendance of Directors at Annual Meetings of Shareholders
We expect that all of our directors, whether up for re-election at the Annual Meeting or not, will attend the Annual Meeting. All of the persons then serving as one of our directors attended the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on October 7, 2014.
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We have adopted a Code of Business Ethics that applies to all of our employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer, and to our non-employee or outside directors. A copy of the Code of Business Ethics is available on our corporate web site which is located at www.strattec.com. We also intend to disclose any amendments to, or waivers from, the Code of Business Ethics on our corporate web site.
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The Audit Committee is comprised of three members of our Board of Directors. Based upon the review described above under Corporate Governance Matters Director Independence, our Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit Committee is independent as defined in the applicable listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market and the rules of the Commission. The duties and responsibilities of our Audit Committee are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter.
The Audit Committee has:
| reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2015 with our management and with our independent auditors; |
| discussed with our independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61, Communications with Audit Committees, as amended (AICPA Professional Standards, Vol. 1. AU Section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T; |
| received and discussed with our independent auditors the written disclosures and the letter from our independent auditors required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors communications with the audit committee concerning independence; and |
| met with the independent auditors without management present and discussed the auditors independence. |
Based on such review and discussions with management and with the independent auditors, the Audit Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the STRATTEC audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2015, for filing with the Commission.
AUDIT COMMITTEE: |
David R. Zimmer Chairman |
Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr. |
Michael J. Koss |
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Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The following table summarizes the fees we were billed for audit and non-audit services rendered by our independent auditors, Deloitte & Touche LLP, during fiscal 2015 and 2014:
Service Type |
Fiscal Year Ending June 28, 2015 |
Fiscal Year Ending June 29, 2014 |
||||||
Audit Fees(1) |
$ | 293,000 | $ | 273,000 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees(2) |
$ | 4,500 | $ | 8,000 | ||||
Tax Fees(3) |
$ | 173,500 | $ | 163,000 | ||||
All Other Fees |
| | ||||||
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|
|
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Total Fees Billed |
$ | 471,000 | $ | 444,000 | ||||
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(1) | Includes fees for professional services rendered in connection with the audit of our financial statements for the fiscal years ended June 28, 2015 and June 29, 2014; the reviews of the financial statements included in each of our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q during those fiscal years; and statutory and regulatory agency audits during those fiscal years. |
(2) | Consists of fees for professional services rendered in connection with the review of: (a) for fiscal 2015, a registration statement on Form S-8; and (b) for fiscal 2014, a Comment Letter issued by the Commission. |
(3) | Includes U.S. and international tax advice and compliance services paid to Deloitte & Touche LLP with respect to such fiscal years. |
The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors considered that the provision of the services and the payment of the fees described above are compatible with maintaining the independence of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
The Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and pre-approving any non-audit services to be performed by our independent auditors. The Audit Committee has delegated certain of its pre-approval authority to the Chairman of the Audit Committee to act between meetings of the Audit Committee. Any pre-approval given by the Chairman of the Audit Committee pursuant to this delegation is presented to the full Audit Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee or Chairman of the Audit Committee reviews and, if appropriate, approves non-audit service engagements, taking into account the proposed scope of the non-audit services, the proposed fees for the non-audit services, whether the non-audit services are permissible under applicable law or regulation and the likely impact of the non-audit services on the independence of the independent auditors.
Each new engagement of our independent auditors to perform non-audit services has been approved in advance by our Audit Committee or the Chairman of our Audit Committee pursuant to the foregoing procedures.
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Fiscal 2016 Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Our Audit Committee will select our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2016 fiscal year based upon factors determined to be relevant by the Committee. It is expected that a representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent auditors for fiscal 2015, will be present at the Annual Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if such representative desires to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Audit Committee Financial Expert
Our Board of Directors has determined that at least one of the members of our Audit Committee qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined by the rules of the Commission. David Zimmer, the Chairman of the Audit Committee, qualifies as an audit committee financial expert based on his work experience and education.
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The following table provides information as of the date of this Proxy Statement about each of our current executive officers who are not nominees for election to, or continuing members of, our Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting. The information presented includes information each executive officer has given us about his or her age and his or her principal occupation and business experience for the past five years:
Name |
Age | Current Position |
Other Positions | |||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
56 | Senior Vice President since October 2005; Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary since February 1999. | Vice President of STRATTEC from February 1999 to October 2005; Corporate Controller of STRATTEC from February 1995 to February 1999. | |||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
47 | Vice President Mexican Operations since September 2004. | General Manager Mexican Operations of STRATTEC from September 2003 to September 2004. Plant Manager of STRATTEC de Mexico S.A. de C.V. from January 2002 to September 2003. Mr. Guillot served in various management positions for STRATTEC de Mexico S.A. de C.V. from September 1996 to January 2002. | |||||
Richard P. Messina |
49 | Vice President Global Sales and Access Control Products since October 8, 2013 | Vice President Access Control Products from December 1, 2008 until October 8, 2013. Chief Engineer-Power Closures Engineering for North America and Asia for Delphi Corporation from 2006 until November 2008; Engineering group manager for Delphi Corporation from 2001 until 2006. |
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Name |
Age | Current Position |
Other Positions | |||||
Brian J. Reetz |
57 | Vice President Security Products since October 1, 2008 | Vice President Engineering, Product Development & Management of STRATTEC from January 2007 until October 2008; Executive Engineer of STRATTEC from August 2004 through December 2006. |
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The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of shares of our Common Stock as of August 20, 2015 by (1) each director and named executive officer (as defined below), (2) all directors and executive officers as a group, and (3) each person or other entity known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock.
We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules of the Commission. Shares of our Common Stock subject to options that are either currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of August 20, 2015 are treated as outstanding and beneficially owned by the option holder for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of the option holder. However, these shares are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The table lists applicable percentage ownership based on 3,636,437 shares outstanding as of August 20, 2015.
Nature of Beneficial Ownership | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner(1) |
Total Number Of Shares Beneficially Owned(2) |
Percent of Class |
Sole Voting and Investment Power |
Sole Voting or Investment Power |
Shared Voting and Investment Power |
Shared Voting or Investment Power |
Sole Voting Power Only(3) |
|||||||||||||||||||||
Principal Shareholders: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
GAMCO Asset Management, Inc.(4) |
608,510 | 16.7 | % | 602,510 | 608,510 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Royce & Associates LLC(5) |
506,919 | 13.9 | % | 506,919 | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.(6) |
429,603 | 11.8 | % | 241,023 | 429,603 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP(7) |
232,739 | 6.4 | % | 224,272 | 232,739 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
BlackRock, Inc.(8) |
227,442 | 6.3 | % | 223,737 | 227,442 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
FMR LLC(9) |
216,020 | 5.9 | % | 46,120 | 216,020 | | | | ||||||||||||||||||||
Directors, Nominees and Executive Officers: |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr. |
2,500 | * | 500 | | | | 2,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Michael J. Koss |
5,000 | * | 3,000 | | | | 2,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
David R. Zimmer |
3,700 | * | 1,700 | | | | 2,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Harold M. Stratton II(10) |
87,247 | 2.4 | % | 45,864 | | 14,583 | | 2,000 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Frank J. Krejci(11) |
53,713 | 1.5 | % | 11,760 | | | | 8,250 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
17,751 | * | 5,500 | | | | 5,450 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
22,744 | * | 5,100 | | | | 4,340 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Richard P. Messina |
10,392 | * | 2,200 | | | | 4,440 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Brian J. Reetz(12) |
16,372 | * | 4,000 | | 114 | | 3,520 | |||||||||||||||||||||
All directors, nominees and executive officers as a group (9 persons) |
219,419 | 5.9 | % | 79,624 | | 14,697 | | 34,000 |
* | Less than 1%. |
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(1) | Unless otherwise indicated in the other footnotes, the address for each person listed is 3333 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209. |
(2) | Includes the rights of the following persons to acquire shares of our Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of currently vested stock options or pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of August 20, 2015: Mr. Stratton 24,800 shares; Mr. Krejci 33,703 shares; Mr. Hansen 6,801 shares; Mr. Guillot 13,304 shares; Mr. Messina 3,752 shares; Mr. Reetz 8,738; and all directors and executive officers as a group 91,098 shares. |
(3) | All shares listed are unvested shares of restricted stock issued and outstanding under our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan as of August 20, 2015. |
(4) | Mario J. Gabelli and on behalf of certain entities which he directly or indirectly controls or for which he acts as Chief Investment Officer, including the following, GAMCO Asset Management, Inc., Gabelli Funds, LLC and Teton Advisors, Inc. (collectively GAMCO), One Corporate Center, Rye, New York 10580, filed a Schedule 13D/A dated as of November 25, 2014 reporting that as of November 24, 2014, GAMCO beneficially owned 608,510 shares of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by GAMCO include 608,510 shares of Common Stock as to which GAMCO has sole investment power and 602,510 shares as to which GAMCO has sole voting power. |
(5) | Royce & Associates, LLC, 745 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10151, filed a Schedule 13G dated February 5, 2003, as most recently amended by a Schedule 13G/A dated January 21, 2015, reporting that as of December 31, 2014 it was the beneficial owner of 506,919 shares of Common Stock with sole voting and investment power over all such shares. |
(6) | T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. and on behalf of T. Rowe Price Small-Cap Value Fund, Inc. (collectively, T. Rowe Price), 100 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21202, filed a Schedule 13G dated February 9, 2000, as amended most recently by a Schedule 13G/A dated February 17, 2015, reporting that as of December 31, 2014 T. Rowe Price was the beneficial owner of 429,603 shares of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by T. Rowe Price include 241,023 shares as to which T. Rowe Price has sole voting power and 429,603 shares as to which T. Rowe Price has sole investment power. |
(7) | Dimensional Fund Advisors LP (Dimensional), Palisades West, Building One, 6300 Bee Cave Road, Austin, Texas 78746, filed a Schedule 13G dated February 9, 2009, as amended most recently by a Schedule 13G/A dated February 5, 2015, reporting that as of December 31, 2014 it was the beneficial owner of 232,739 shares of Common Stock as a result of acting as an investment adviser to various investment companies, commingled group trusts and separate accounts. The shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Dimensional include 224,272 shares as to which Dimensional has sole voting power and 232,739 shares as to which Dimensional has sole investment power. |
(8) | BlackRock, Inc., 55 East 52nd Street, New York, NY 10022, filed a Schedule 13G dated January 12, 2015 reporting that as of December 31, 2014 it was the beneficial owner of 227,442 shares of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by BlackRock include 223,737 shares as to which BlackRock has sole voting power and 227,442 shares as to which BlackRock has sole investment power. |
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(9) | FMR LLC or its predecessor FMR Corp. and on behalf of certain of its affiliates (collectively, FMR), 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, filed a Schedule 13G/A on February 13, 2015, reporting that it was the beneficial owner of 216,020 shares of Common Stock. The shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by FMR include 216,020 shares as to which FMR has sole investment power and 46,120 shares as to which FMR has sole voting power. |
(10) | Includes 33,504 shares owned directly by Mr. Stratton, 26,420 shares owned jointly by Mr. Stratton and his spouse, 2,501 shares held in trusts as to which Mr. Stratton is co-trustee and/or beneficiary and 22 shares held in the STRATTEC Employee Savings and Investment Plan Trust. |
(11) | Includes 1,400 shares of Common Stock in a brokerage account pledged as collateral for borrowings under a line of credit. |
(12) | Includes 114 shares held in the STRATTEC Employee Savings and Investment Plan Trust. |
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the Commission initial reports of beneficial ownership on Form 3 and reports of changes in beneficial ownership of our equity securities on Form 4 or Form 5. The rules promulgated by the Commission under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act require those persons to furnish us with copies of all reports filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 16(a). Based solely upon a review of such forms actually furnished to us, and written representations of certain of our directors and executive officers that no forms were required to be filed, all directors, executive officers and 10% shareholders have filed with the Commission on a timely basis all reports required to be filed under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act during Fiscal 2015.
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Compensation Discussion and Analysis
Overview
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis addresses our compensation philosophy, objectives, process and actions specific to fiscal 2015, and the first part of fiscal 2016 prior to the date of this Proxy Statement, for our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers based on their total compensation in fiscal 2015. Throughout this proxy statement, we refer to these five executive officers as our named executive officers. Responsibility for establishing, implementing and monitoring the total compensation of our executive officers rests with the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Our named executive officers for fiscal 2015 were:
| Frank J. Krejci, President and Chief Executive Officer |
| Patrick J. Hansen, Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary |
| Rolando J. Guillot, Vice President Mexican Operations |
| Richard P. Messina, Vice President Global Sales and Access Control Products |
| Brian J. Reetz, Vice President Security Products |
The compensation of these individuals is presented in the tables and other quantitative information that follows this section.
Our Compensation Philosophy
We believe it is important to provide compensation that at a minimum reflects base levels which are competitive with executive officers in other industrial public companies of similar structure and size. We further believe that it is appropriate and desirable to have meaningful incentive plans for our executive officers to help attract and retain high performing individuals and drive positive economic performance and enhanced shareholder value. Further, these performance based incentive plans should provide opportunities for our executive officers to significantly augment their base compensation on a short term and long term basis. This philosophy is the foundation for the following objectives.
Our Compensation Objectives
The objectives of our Compensation Committee in establishing compensation arrangements for our executive officers are to:
| Attract and retain qualified executive managers with a straightforward and understandable compensation program; |
| Provide strong financial incentives, at reasonable cost, for positive financial performance and enhanced value of our shareholders investment; and |
| Utilize at risk cash bonus plans to recognize positive short-term performance and equity based plans to support the long-term needs and goals of STRATTEC and our shareholders. |
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The compensation program that has been developed and implemented by our Compensation Committee to achieve these objectives has the following features:
| Nearly all of the compensation paid to our executive officers on a yearly basis is based on only three components (1) base salary; (2) potential annual cash bonuses based on performance, which employs an economic value added philosophy; and (3) equity compensation in the form of stock option grants (leveraged or otherwise) and/or grants of shares of restricted stock. We currently provide our executive officers with a very modest level of perquisites or other benefits that are not available to all of our employees. All Other Compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement constituted less than 3% of Total Compensation for our named executive officers during fiscal 2015. |
| Each executive officer receives a base salary based on available comparable compensation data which we believe to be competitive and fair. See Peer Group Benchmarking below. |
| Total compensation is higher for individuals with greater responsibility and a greater ability to influence company-wide performance. In addition, the compensation program is designed so that a significant portion of total potential compensation for our executive officers is at risk, in that it is contingent on actual company and personal performance. |
| Our Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers provides for annual bonus payouts based on (1) the achievement of specific company-wide objective financial criteria, including minimum financial performance targets that must be met as a condition to payouts under the Plan, and (2) achievement of individual performance objectives. |
| Our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan provides the opportunity for leveraged stock option grants based on a formula related to the above described Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers. Further, grants of other nonqualified stock options and/or shares of restricted stock are made from time to time at the discretion of our Compensation Committee. This Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan specifically prohibits discounted stock options. |
| Our Compensation Committee has the authority to grant discretionary cash bonuses if deemed appropriate based on various factors, including individual and/or company performance. |
| Our retirement benefits include a defined benefit plan available to all salaried associates hired prior to December 31, 2009 and a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan available only to our executive officers, which Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan was amended effective as of December 31, 2013 to simplify the benefit calculation under the plan. |
| Severance benefits, and specific benefits triggered by a change of control, are provided to executive officers. |
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The above noted compensation program features are described in detail in the following sections of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, entitled Our Compensation Process, Peer Group Benchmarking, Components of Executive Compensation and Change of Control and Severance Benefits.
At our 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, pursuant to a non-binding, advisory vote, shareholders approved the compensation of our named executive officers as disclosed in the proxy statement for that meeting by a vote of 2,549,204 shares in favor to 126,338 against. Our Compensation Committee has considered the results of this advisory shareholder vote and believes that it shows support by our shareholders for our compensation philosophy and the executive compensation programs that implement our compensation philosophy. We have not significantly changed our executive compensation programs following this shareholder advisory vote. Our Board of Directors has determined that shareholder advisory votes on executive compensation will occur every year. Accordingly, the next shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation will be held in connection with this years Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Our Compensation Process
Compensation for our executive officers and other key employees is evaluated and determined by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Our Compensation Committee consists of three independent directors under the applicable listing standards of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Michael J. Koss is the Chairman of our Compensation Committee and the other members of the Compensation Committee are David R. Zimmer and Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr. Additional information regarding our Compensation Committee is disclosed under Directors Meetings and Committees Compensation Committee beginning on page 7 of this Proxy Statement.
Many key compensation decisions are made during the first quarter of the fiscal year as the Compensation Committee meets to review performance for the prior year under our Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers, determine awards under our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan and set compensation targets and objectives for the coming year. However, our Compensation Committee also views compensation as an ongoing process and may convene special meetings in addition to its regularly scheduled meetings throughout the year for purposes of evaluation, planning and appropriate action. The Compensation Committee held two meetings during fiscal 2015 as well as a meeting held on August 19, 2015 to review performance for fiscal 2015. At each meeting, the Compensation Committee held an executive session (without management present). The Compensation Committee receives and reviews materials in advance of each meeting, including materials that management believes will be helpful to the Committee as well as materials specifically requested by members of the Committee.
Our management assists the Compensation Committee in its oversight and determination of compensation. Managements role includes assisting the Compensation Committee with evaluating employee performance, assisting with establishing individual and company-wide performance targets and objectives, recommending salary levels and option and other equity
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incentive grants, providing financial data on company performance, providing calculations and reports on achievement of performance objectives and furnishing other information requested by the Committee. Our Chief Executive Officer works with the Compensation Committee in making recommendations regarding our overall compensation policies and plans, as well as recommending specific compensation levels for our other executive officers and key employees. Members of management who were present during portions of Compensation Committee meetings held in fiscal 2015 and 2016 to date, included the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer. Additionally our Chairman, Harold M. Stratton II, participated in portions of Compensation Committee meetings held in fiscal 2015 and 2016 to date. Our Compensation Committee makes all decisions regarding the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer without the Chief Executive Officer or any other member of management present.
The Compensation Committees charter authorizes the Committee to engage any compensation consultants and other advisers as the Committee may deem appropriate, and requires that we provide the Committee with adequate funding to engage any advisers. During May 2015, upon the recommendation of our management, our Compensation Committee engaged Verisight, Inc. to assist it in reviewing our compensation practices and levels. See Peer Group Benchmarking below. Verisight prepared, and in the past has prepared, for our Compensation Committee a comparative compensation report of a broad group of organizations within the durable goods manufacturing industry. This report is based upon industry-wide studies, and not necessarily companies in the automotive parts industry. Our Compensation Committee has historically believed this industry-wide report represents a better cross section from which to draw executive talent and compare compensation levels. Verisight was last engaged to conduct a similar compensation analysis and prepare a similar compensation report based upon that analysis in May 2012. Our Compensation Committee reviewed the results of Verisights report and analysis during meetings held at the end of fiscal 2015 and the beginning of fiscal 2016 for purposes of establishing and setting compensation levels and targets for fiscal 2016. We expect to engage Verisight or a similar third party consultant to conduct a similar compensation analysis and report again at the end of fiscal 2017 (i.e., we expect to conduct a similar compensation analysis every second fiscal year).
As noted above, before again engaging Verisight in May 2015 we last engaged Verisight in May 2012 for purposes of establishing and setting compensation levels and targets for fiscal 2013. For subsequent fiscal years following fiscal 2013 (i.e., fiscal 2014 and 2015), our Compensation Committee applied an inflation factor of 2.5% to the base salary range from the May 2012 Verisight report for executives with similar positions and then, with respect to each such subsequent fiscal year, the Compensation Committee further adjusted such amount up or down based upon a discretionary analysis of each officers individual performance and achievement over the prior fiscal year. For fiscal 2016, our Compensation Committee set fiscal 2016 base salaries for our named executive officers based upon its analysis of the May 2015 Verisight report. See Peer Group Benchmarking below for additional information on the May 2015 Verisight report.
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Peer Group Benchmarking
As noted above, we have on a periodic basis engaged Verisight, Inc. to prepare a comparative compensation report for our Compensation Committee to assist us in setting our compensation levels and targets for our executive officers. We engaged Verisight in May 2015 for purposes of helping us establish compensation levels and targets for fiscal 2016. Prior to that, our Compensation Committee last engaged Verisight in May 2012 for purposes of establishing compensation levels and targets for fiscal 2013. As part of this May 2012 engagement, Verisight prepared a comparative compensation report of a broad group of organizations or peer group companies within the durable goods manufacturing industry. Verisight prepared their report and analysis based upon other published industry compensation surveys and an analysis of public filings by a peer group of companies. Although these peer group companies are not necessarily companies operating in the automotive parts industry, they generally have similar performance characteristics to STRATTEC in terms of market capitalization and a manufacturing focus. The sixteen companies comprising the peer group in the May 2012 report were:
AAON Inc. |
Badger Meter, Inc. | |
Clarion Technologies Inc. |
Compx International Inc. | |
Douglas Dynamics, Inc. |
Flexsteel Industries Inc. | |
Gorman Rupp Co. |
Hurco Companies Inc. | |
Johnson Outdoors Inc. |
LMI Aerospace, Inc. | |
Methode Electronics, Inc. |
Miller Industries Inc. | |
Supreme Industries, Inc. |
Twin Disc, Incorporated | |
Weyco Group Inc. |
Winnebago Industries, Inc. |
Our Compensation Committee used the results of this report and analysis in setting the base salaries of our executive officers for fiscal 2013. In setting the base salaries of our executive officers for fiscal 2014 and then again in fiscal 2015, the Compensation Committee set them at or slightly below the median level of the base salaries derived from the May 2012 Verisight report after applying an inflation factor of 2.5% to the base salary range in that report for each subsequent fiscal year for executives with similar positions and then further adjusting such amount up or down each fiscal year based upon a discretionary analysis of each officers individual performance and achievement over the prior fiscal year. See Components of Executive Compensation below for additional information.
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In May, 2015, our Compensation Committee again engaged Verisight to prepare a comparative compensation report for our Compensation Committee to assist us in setting our compensation levels and targets for our executive officers as noted above. As part of this May 2015 engagement, Verisight prepared a comparative compensation report of a broad group of organizations or peer group companies within the durable goods manufacturing industry. Verisight prepared their report and analysis based upon other published industry compensation surveys and an analysis of public filings by a peer group of companies (giving each of these two categories an equal 50% weighting). The peer group included in the May 2015 report consisted of the following fifteen companies:
Badger Meter, Inc. |
Douglas Dynamics, Inc. | |
Flexsteel Industries Inc. |
Global Power Equipment Group Inc. | |
Gorman Rupp Co. |
Hurco Companies Inc. | |
Johnson Outdoors Inc. |
Kadant Inc. | |
Lydall Inc. |
Miller Industries Inc. | |
Shiloh Industries Inc. |
Stoneridge Inc. | |
Supreme Industries, Inc. |
Twin Disc, Incorporated | |
Weyco Group Inc. |
Several companies included in the May 2012 peer group were removed from the peer group in connection with the preparation of the May 2015 report primarily based upon increased differences in revenue size and/or market capitalization or a recent lack of public proxy filings. Where possible, Verisight in its May 2015 report used regression analysis to adjust peer group data to STRATTECs revenue size. Additionally, due to dissimilarity in titles in the published industry compensation surveys and in the peer group data with STRATTECs named executive officer positions, Verisight generally compared the publicly available compensation data for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer with the compensation information for STRATTECs Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. For the other three STRATTEC named executive officers, Verisight compared the publicly available compensation data for the three other most highly compensated named executive officers in the publicly available data with those of the three most highly compensated STRATTEC named executive officers.
Components of Executive Compensation
For executive officers, the primary components of total compensation have historically been:
| base salary; |
| annual incentive compensation bonuses; and |
| long-term incentive compensation in the form of awards of stock options (leveraged stock options or otherwise) and/or shares of restricted stock. |
We evaluate targeted total compensation levels for our executive officers as well as how each component fits within the targeted total compensation levels. This evaluation is guided by our compensation objectives described above. A large portion of potential compensation for our executive officers is performance-based. For performance-based compensation, we combine
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annual cash incentive bonuses that are tied to both short-term, company-wide measures of operating performance and individual performance goals with long-term equity compensation in the form of awards of stock options (leveraged stock options or otherwise) that are subject to time-based vesting criteria and/or shares of restricted stock that vest on the three or five year anniversary of the date of grant. The long-term equity compensation awards promote our executive retention objectives and provide an incentive for long-term appreciation in our stock price, whereas the annual cash incentive bonuses promote short-term financial growth and achievement of individual performance goals.
Base Salary. In determining base salaries, our Compensation Committee considers the executive officers qualifications and experience, the executive officers responsibilities, the executive officers past performance, the executive officers goals and objectives and salary levels for comparable positions. Our Compensation Committee typically establishes base salaries for the new fiscal year for our executive officers at its regular meeting in August of each year where it reviews the prior fiscal years results, which new base salaries are effective as of September 1.
The base salaries for the named executive officers were originally set by their respective employment agreements and were initially determined by evaluating the responsibilities of the position, the experience of the individual and the salaries for comparable positions in the competitive marketplace based upon the report prepared for our Compensation Committee by Verisight in May 2012. From this May 2012 report, our Compensation Committee established the base salaries for fiscal 2013. For subsequent fiscal years (i.e., fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015), our Compensation Committee applied an inflation factor of 2.5% for each of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 to the base salary range in that May 2012 report for executives with similar positions, and then further applying any additional adjustment, up or down, based upon the Compensation Committees discretionary analysis of each officers individual performance and achievement over the prior fiscal year.
Each executive officers employment agreement contains an evergreen renewal feature that automatically extends the agreement for an additional year each June 30, unless advance notice is provided. The base salary, as provided in the employment agreement, may not be decreased from the prior years level without the consent of the executive officer, but can be increased in the discretion of the Compensation Committee. In general, we have historically set the base salaries at or slightly below the median level derived from the Verisight report for similar positions or levels, as adjusted for inflation since the date of the last Verisight report and taking into account a discretionary analysis of each officers individual performance and achievement over the prior fiscal year. In determining salary adjustments for executive officers, our Compensation Committee considers various factors, including the individuals performance and contribution, our performance and the pay level for similar positions, with respect to our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, and the top other three most highly compensated executive officers, with respect to the other three most highly compensated named executive officers, as reflected in the Verisight report. Our Compensation Committee, where appropriate, also considers non-financial or individual performance measures such as improvements in product quality, manufacturing efficiency gains and the enhancement of relations with our customers and
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employees. Our Compensation Committee exercises discretion in increasing the base salaries of our executive officers from the prior fiscal year within the guidelines discussed above.
As noted above, we do not provide any standard annual raises in the base salaries of our executive officers. Instead, our Compensation Committee periodically reviews the base salaries of our executive officers based on the individual and company-wide performance criteria described above and, with respect to fiscal 2013, by reference to the data analysis provided by the Verisight May 2012 report and then applying a 2.5% upward inflation adjustment for each of fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2015 subsequent to the base salary range from that report for executives with similar positions and then further applying any additional adjustment, up or down, based upon our Compensation Committees discretionary analysis of each officers individual performance and achievement over the preceding fiscal year. Consistent with the foregoing methodology, for fiscal 2015, our named executive officers were paid the following base salaries:
Name |
Title |
Base Salary |
||||
Frank J. Krejci |
President and Chief Executive Officer | $373,600 | ||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary | $261,200 | ||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
Vice President Mexican Operations | $222,300 | ||||
Richard P. Messina |
Vice President Global Sales and Access Control Products | $202,600 | ||||
Brian J. Reetz |
Vice President Security Products | $184,700 |
As noted above, our Compensation Committee engaged Verisight to conduct the compensation analysis described above under Peer Group Benchmarking during 2015. Based upon its analysis of this report, our Compensation Committee has set the base salaries for our executive officers for fiscal 2016, effective as of September 1, 2015, as reflected in the table below.
Executive Officer |
Fiscal 2015 Base Salary |
Fiscal 2016 Base Salary |
Percentage Increase |
|||||||||
Frank J. Krejci |
$ | 373,600 | $ | 416,500 | 11.48 | % | ||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
$ | 261,200 | $ | 275,400 | 5.44 | % | ||||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
$ | 222,300 | $ | 234,800 | 5.62 | % | ||||||
Richard P. Messina |
$ | 202,600 | $ | 216,500 | 6.86 | % | ||||||
Brian J. Reetz |
$ | 184,700 | $ | 196,400 | 6.33 | % |
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Annual Incentive Bonuses. Executive officers and other full-time employees are eligible to receive annual incentive cash bonuses under our Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers (EVA Bonus Plan). While we principally rely on this EVA Bonus Plan for annual cash incentive bonuses, in some years the Compensation Committee may decide to grant discretionary cash bonuses outside of the EVA Bonus Plan based on special circumstances such as the acquisition or disposition of a business. See Discretionary Bonuses below.
Participants under our EVA Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers include our executive officers and other senior managers determined by our Compensation Committee based upon recommendations from our Chief Executive Officer. The purpose of using Economic Value Added (a non-GAAP measure) is to drive for continuous improvement year over year, enhance shareholder value and provide a framework for determining incentive compensation for our executive officers that financially rewards them for increases in our shareholder value. We believe that an improvement in the Economic Value Added measure is the financial performance measure most closely correlated with increases in our shareholder value.
In general, Economic Value Added (EVA) is our net operating profit after cash basis taxes, less a capital charge. The capital charge is intended to represent the return expected by the providers of our capital. The capital charge is determined by our weighted average debt and equity capital structure as defined by Stern, Stewart & Co., a management consultant firm that originated the concept of Economic Value Added. The amount of bonus which a participant is entitled to earn is derived from a Company Performance Factor and from an Individual Performance Factor. We determine the Company Performance Factor by reference to our financial performance relative to a targeted cash-based return on capital established by our Compensation Committee, which is intended to approximate our weighted cost of capital. We determine the Individual Performance Factor by reference to the level of attainment of certain quantifiable and non-quantifiable company or individual goals set for the participant by our Compensation Committee which contribute to increasing our value to our shareholders.
At the beginning of each fiscal year, we calculate STRATTECs cost of capital and expected Company EVA Performance Target. For fiscal 2015, the cost of capital was determined to be 10% and the Company EVA Performance Target was set at $4.4 million. Actual Company EVA Performance in fiscal 2015 was a positive $6.5 million. See below (in millions of dollars):
Net Operating Profit After Cash-Basis Taxes: |
$ | 18.6 | ||||||
Average Net Capital Employed: |
$ | 120.7 | ||||||
Cost of Capital: |
10 | % | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Capital Charge: |
$ | 12.1 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
Economic Value Added: |
$ | 6.5 | ||||||
|
|
Average Net Capital Employed in the business is generally calculated by averaging the net amount of operating assets (i.e. operating assets less operating liabilities) used in our business
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during a twelve month period. Our EVA Bonus Plan includes cash and cash equivalents as part of our net capital employed in the business. Because cash and cash equivalents are a significant component of the capital employed in the business it can significantly increase our capital charge.
EVA performance can be negative when the calculated capital charge (Cost of Capital X Net Monthly Average Capital Employed in the Business) exceeds our Net Operating Profit After Cash-Basis Taxes. For purposes of our EVA Bonus Plan, the EVA, whether positive or negative, is compared to the Company EVA Performance Target for that particular year to determine whether any bonuses are earned under the plan.
As noted above, we determine our Cost of Capital at the beginning of each fiscal year. Our Compensation Committee reviews and sets the Cost of Capital based upon the methodology described below, but under the EVA Bonus Plan it retains the discretion to set the Cost of Capital at a level different than determined under the following methodology. The EVA Bonus Plan provides that our Cost of Capital shall be determined based upon averaging our cost of equity and our cost of debt assuming a weighted average value for the equity of 80% and 20% for the debt. The cost of the equity is calculated by multiplying a market risk premium rate, using a methodology established by Stern, Stewart, by a transportation industry risk index (which is established by an independent third party for the transportation industry) and then adding that product to the average effective interest rate during the month of April each year that would be earned by investing in ten year U.S. Treasury Notes. The cost of our debt is calculated based upon our expected weighted average interest cost on our available borrowing base with our lender on an after tax basis. As a result, our Cost of Capital is predominantly affected by changes in interest rates and an evaluation of the risks and economic climate in the transportation industry that influence the determination of the market premium and the industry index rate.
Individual Target Incentive Awards under the EVA Bonus Plan for fiscal 2015 ranged from 75% of base compensation for our Chief Executive Officer to 25% 45% of base compensation for other officers. The formula for calculating bonuses under the EVA Bonus Plan is: Base Salary x Target Incentive Award x (50% of the Company Performance Factor + 50% of the Individual Performance Factor). A portion of this bonus amount, however, is subject to an at risk Bonus Bank described below. Effective as of August 20, 2012, we modified our EVA Bonus Plan to address the separation of the roles of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Starting with fiscal 2013, our Chief Executive Officer, whether he or she is also our Chairman or our President, will receive a target award under the EVA Bonus Plan equal to 75% of base compensation. Accordingly, for fiscal 2015, Frank J. Krejcis target award was equal to 75% because he served as our Chief Executive Officer and President for all of fiscal 2015.
The EVA Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers provides the powerful incentive of an uncapped bonus opportunity, but also uses a Bonus Bank to ensure that significant Economic Value Added improvements are sustained before significant bonus awards are paid out. Pursuant to the terms of the EVA Bonus Plan, the Bonus Bank feature applies to those participants determined by the Compensation Committee to be Executive Officers, which includes all of our named executive officers. Each year, any accrued bonus in excess of 125% of the target bonus award is added to the outstanding Bonus Bank balance for the named executive
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officer. The bonus actually paid to a participant for a year is equal to the accrued bonus for the year, up to a maximum of 125% of the target bonus, plus 33% of the Bonus Bank balance at the end of that year.
Because we use the Bonus Bank feature, we must experience significant Economic Value Added improvements for several years to ensure full payout of the accrued bonus to the executive officer. A Bonus Bank account is considered at risk in the sense that in any year the accrued bonus is negative, the negative bonus amount is subtracted from the outstanding Bonus Bank balance. A participants Bonus Bank balance may not be negative. On termination of employment due to death, disability or retirement or by us without cause, any balance in the Bonus Bank will be paid to the terminating executive officer or his or her designated beneficiary or estate. Executive officers who voluntarily leave to accept employment elsewhere or who are terminated for cause will forfeit any Bonus Bank balance.
During fiscal 2015 our actual performance exceeded the fiscal 2015 targeted goals and, accordingly, bonuses were awarded to our executive officers and our executive officers increased their Bonus Bank accounts under our EVA Bonus Plan in the following amounts:
Name |
Fiscal 2015 Total EVA Bonus |
Fiscal 2015 Up to 125% of Target Bonus Amount |
Fiscal 2015 Addition to Bonus Bank |
33% Payout From Bonus Bank |
Fiscal 2015 Ending Bonus Bank Balance |
Fiscal 2015 Total Paid Bonus Amount |
||||||||||||||||||
Frank J. Krejci |
$ | 430,513 | $ | 347,188 | $ | 83,325 | $ | 84,863 | $ | 169,725 | $ | 432,051 | ||||||||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
$ | 175,623 | $ | 146,109 | $ | 29,514 | $ | 33,320 | $ | 66,641 | $ | 179,429 | ||||||||||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
$ | 117,567 | $ | 96,651 | $ | 20,916 | $ | 24,522 | $ | 49,045 | $ | 121,173 | ||||||||||||
Richard P. Messina |
$ | 80,469 | $ | 62,807 | $ | 17,662 | $ | 21,365 | $ | 42,729 | $ | 84,172 | ||||||||||||
Brian J. Reetz |
$ | 98,884 | $ | 80,289 | $ | 18,595 | $ | 18,451 | $ | 36,901 | $ | 98,740 |
At a Compensation Committee meeting held August 19, 2015, the Committee reviewed the data and calculation for STRATTECs fiscal 2016 EVA performance target and subsequently approved an EVA performance target of $5.7 million for fiscal 2016. Pursuant to the terms of the EVA Bonus Plan, the fiscal 2016 EVA performance target was determined by averaging the prior year performance target (i.e., the performance target for fiscal 2015) and the prior year actual EVA amount (i.e., actual EVA for fiscal 2015) and then adding an expected improvement amount set by our Compensation Committee. For fiscal 2016, our Compensation Committee set the expected improvement amount at $250,000.
Discretionary Bonuses. While we have principally relied on our formula-based cash incentive plans, our named executive officers are eligible to receive discretionary cash bonuses awarded by our Compensation Committee. These discretionary bonuses allow us to recognize extraordinary performance by our named executive officers and to have the flexibility to maintain competitive compensation when needed. When determining whether to grant a discretionary bonus to a named executive officer, the Compensation Committee reviews performance for the prior fiscal year and considers specific performance metrics for STRATTEC for the fiscal year, such as stock performance or financial performance in key areas outside of the performance measures used for formula cash incentives, and other specific achievements occurring during the fiscal year such as completed acquisitions or other significant strategic transactions or initiatives.
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No discretionary bonuses were awarded to our named executive officers for fiscal 2015, other than a discretionary bonus of $38,500 to Mr. Messina in connection with his extraordinary efforts in supporting and providing services to Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC, a joint venture relationship entered into by STRATTEC with two other partners.
Equity Based Compensation. We believe that equity compensation is an effective means of aligning the long-term interests of our employees, including our executive officers, with our shareholders. Our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee to issue both stock options and shares of restricted stock, as well as other forms of equity incentive compensation. To date, awards to our executive officers under the Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan have consisted solely of leveraged stock options, traditional nonqualified stock options and shares of restricted stock.
In determining the type and total size of equity awards, the Compensation Committee considers various factors such as the outstanding number of options and shares of restricted stock, the amount of additional shares available for issuance under our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, the financial statement impact of awards, the level of responsibility of the proposed recipient and his or her performance and the percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock represented by outstanding options and shares of restricted stock.
We have historically made grants of stock options in the form of leveraged stock options pursuant to our leveraged stock option program. The method of calculating the number of leveraged stock options granted to each executive officer and the method of determining their exercise price is set forth in our EVA Bonus Plan and our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan and generally is equal in value to the executive officers total bonus payout under the EVA Bonus Plan. Awards of leveraged stock options typically have an exercise price that simulates a stock purchase with 10:1 leverage. Essentially, the exercise price equals the product of 90% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant, multiplied by the sum (taken to the 5th power) of (a) 1, plus (b) the Estimated Annual Growth Rate. The Estimated Annual Growth Rate equals the average daily closing 10-year U.S. Treasury note yield rate for the month of April immediately preceding the relevant determination date, plus 2%. All leveraged stock option grants made in recent years to executive officers have incorporated the following terms:
| the term of the option does not exceed ten years; |
| the exercise price exceeds the market price of our common stock on the date of grant; and |
| the options all vest on the third anniversary of the grant date. |
The maximum aggregate number of leveraged stock options to be granted each year is currently set at 40,000. If the total bonus payout under our Economic Value Added program produces more than 40,000 leveraged stock options in any fiscal year, then the leveraged stock options granted for that year will be reduced pro-rata based on proportionate total bonus payouts under the EVA Bonus Plan. The amount of any such reduction shall be carried forward to subsequent years and awarded in leveraged stock options to the extent the annual limitation is not exceeded in future years.
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Based upon fiscal year 2014 performance, our Compensation Committee on August 20, 2014, made grants of leveraged stock options for 4,090 shares to Mr. Krejci, 1,750 shares to Mr. Hansen, 1,180 shares to Mr. Guillot, 1,050 shares to Mr. Messina and 940 shares to Mr. Reetz. All of these options granted to our named executive officers have an exercise price of $79.73 per share, a ten-year term and vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant. These options had a grant date fair value per option of $34.93 as determined pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.
Our Compensation Committee decided not to award any leveraged stock options to our named executed officers with respect to our fiscal year 2015 performance. Instead, based upon fiscal 2015 performance, our Compensation Committee awarded to our named executive officers additional shares of restricted stock vesting on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. See below for additional information on these awards.
In addition to leveraged stock options, our Compensation Committee, in its discretion, periodically approves grants of nonqualified stock options to our executive officers. The nonqualified stock option grants historically have incorporated the following terms:
| the term of the option does not exceed ten years; |
| the exercise price is not less than the market price of our common stock on the date of grant; and |
| the options vest pro rata on the anniversary of the grant date over a four year period (i.e., 25% per year). |
In fiscal 2015, our Compensation Committee did not approve any grants of nonqualified stock options to any of our executive officers.
Since 2005 our Compensation Committee has annually granted awards of shares of restricted stock to our named executive officers. The shares of restricted stock awarded under our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan have historically vested three years after the grant date and have all the rights of our shares of Common Stock (including voting rights), other than the right to receive cash dividends while such shares are not vested. The maximum number of restricted shares that may be awarded in any plan year to all participants is capped at 40,000 shares.
Our Compensation Committee awarded to each of our executive officers a grant of shares of restricted stock on August 20, 2014 based upon both our financial performance and each respective named executive officers individual performance for fiscal 2014, also taking into account such officers position, duties and level of responsibility. Mr. Krejci was awarded 2,000 shares of restricted stock, Mr. Hansen was awarded 1,500 shares of restricted stock, each of Mr. Guillot and Mr. Messina were awarded 1,300 shares of restricted stock and Mr. Reetz was awarded 1,000 shares of restricted stock on August 20, 2014. These shares of restricted stock all vest on the third anniversary of the grant date and have all the rights of our shares of Common Stock (including voting rights), other than the right to receive cash dividends while such shares are not vested. These shares of restricted stock had a grant date fair value per share of $70.90 as determined pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.
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On August 19, 2015, the Compensation Committee also made specified grants of shares of restricted stock based upon our financial performance and each respective named executive officers individual performance for fiscal 2015 of 2,000 shares to Mr. Krejci, 1,500 shares to Mr. Hansen, and 1,000 shares to each of Mr. Guillot, Mr. Messina and Mr. Reetz. These shares of restricted stock all vest on the third anniversary of the grant date and have all the rights of our shares of Common Stock (including voting rights), other than the right to receive cash dividends while such shares are not vested. These shares of restricted stock had a grant date fair value per share of $69.02 as determined pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.
Additionally, as noted above and in lieu of making grants of leveraged stock options, our Compensation Committee also made specified grants of additional shares of restricted stock on August 19, 2015 based upon our financial performance and each respective named executive officers individual performance for fiscal 2015 of 2,250 shares to Mr. Krejci, 950 shares to Mr. Hansen, 640 shares to Mr. Guillot, 640 shares to Mr. Messina and 520 shares to Mr. Reetz. These shares of restricted stock all vest on the fifth anniversary of the grant date and have all the rights of our shares of Common Stock (including voting rights), other than the right to receive cash dividends while such shares are not vested. These shares of restricted stock had a grant date fair value per share of $69.02 as determined pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.
Perquisites and Other Compensation. Our named executive officers participate in other benefit plans generally available to all employees on the same terms as similarly situated employees, including participation in medical, health, dental, disability, life insurance and 401(k) plans. In addition, our executive officers each receive at least two times their annual base salary up to $500,000 of group term life insurance coverage. These benefits are included in the Summary Compensation Table in the All Other Compensation column.
Retirement Benefits. We maintain a defined benefit retirement plan that covers substantially all of our United States employees, including our named executive officers. Under this qualified retirement plan our employees receive an annual pension payable on a monthly basis at retirement equal to 1.6% of the employees average of the highest 5 years of compensation during the last 10 calendar years of service prior to retirement multiplied by the number of years of credited service, with an offset of 50% of Social Security benefits (prorated if years of credited service are less than 30). Compensation under this qualified retirement plan includes the compensation as shown in the Summary Compensation Table under the headings Salary, Bonus and Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation subject to a maximum compensation amount set by law ($265,000 in 2015). Effective January 1, 2010, an amendment to the qualified retirement plan discontinued the benefit accruals for salary increases and credited service rendered after December 31, 2009.
Our executive officers also participated during fiscal 2015 in a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP). The SERP is a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan program which, prior to January 1, 2014, essentially mirrored the qualified retirement plan described above, but provided benefits in excess of certain limits placed on our qualified retirement plan by the Internal Revenue Code. The benefits provided under the SERP were therefore primarily those that would have been provided under the terms of our qualified retirement plan except for the application of the Internal Revenue Code limits. Consequently, prior to January 1, 2014, under our
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SERP, executive officers were provided with additional increments of (a) 0.50% of the employees average of the highest 5 years of compensation (as limited under the defined benefit retirement plan) per year of credited service over the benefits payable under the qualified retirement plan to nonbargaining unit employees and (b) 2.1% of the compensation exceeding the qualified retirement plan dollar compensation limit per year of credited service. We have created a Rabbi Trust for deposit of the aggregate present value of the benefits described above for our executive officers.
On October 8, 2013, our Board of Directors approved certain amendments to the SERP which amendments were effective as of December 31, 2013. The amendments generally simplified the SERP by revising the benefit calculation formula. Specifically, the amendments to the SERP generally provided for the following:
| Each participants accrued benefit on December 31, 2013 was determined as a lump-sum benefit that was credited to an account established for the participant (the Conversion Account). |
| STRATTEC will credit 8% of a participants base salary and cash bonus each December 31, beginning with December 31, 2014 (the Company Defined Contribution Account) to the participants account. |
| As amended, the SERP provides a supplemental retirement benefit to each participant consisting of the Conversion Account, the Company Defined Contribution Account and credited interest on each account. The credited interest rate equals 120% of the long-term Applicable Federal Rate (AFR) determined each January 1, credited to the balance of each participants account. |
| For the Company Defined Contribution Account, STRATTEC will first credit interest as of January 1, 2016. The interest amount is equal to the participants Company Defined Contribution Account balance as of December 31, 2014 multiplied by 120% of the long-term AFR for January 2015. The same method to credit interest is used for each subsequent December 31. |
| For the Conversion Account, STRATTEC first credited interest as of January 1, 2015. The interest amount is equal to the participants Conversion Account balance as of December 31, 2013 multiplied by 120% of the long-term AFR for January 2014. The same method to credit interest is used for each subsequent December 31. |
| If a participant has a separation from service during the plan year, STRATTEC will credit interest to the participant account(s) on a pro-rata basis. |
| All participants as of December 31, 2013 were deemed to be vested and individuals who began participating in the SERP on or after January 1, 2014 are subject to a five-year vesting schedule. |
| A lump-sum benefit shall be the only distribution option available under the SERP. |
| Each participant chooses, by having made an election before the date the participant or employee becomes eligible for the Company Defined Contribution Account, whether the |
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Company Defined Contribution Account will be paid six months after the participants separation from service or whether half will be paid six months after the participants separation from service and the remaining half paid 18 months after the participants separation from service. |
Change of Control and Severance Benefits
We have entered into an employment agreement and a change of control agreement with each of our named executive officers. The employment agreements set forth the current terms and conditions for employment of the executive officers, and include severance benefits, and noncompetition and confidentiality covenants restricting the executives activities both during and for a period of time after employment. The change of control employment agreements guarantee the employee continued employment following a change of control on a basis equivalent to the employees employment immediately prior to such change in terms of position, duties, compensation and benefits, as well as specified payments upon termination following a change of control. These change of control agreements become effective only upon a defined change of control of STRATTEC, or if the employees employment is terminated upon, or in anticipation of, such a change of control, and automatically supersede any existing employment agreement. These agreements are summarized in more detail below under Employment Agreements and Post-Employment Compensation.
The employment agreements with the named executive officers provide for continuation of salary and health and dental coverage benefits for a period after termination of employment because of the death or disability of the executive officer or because of a termination of employment by us other than for cause (as defined in the employment agreements). We believe that these severance benefits are important as a recruiting and retention device and represent reasonable consideration in exchange for the noncompetition, confidentiality and other restrictions applicable to the executive officers under the employment agreements. The terms of these arrangements and the amount of benefits available to the named executive officers are described below under Post-Employment Compensation.
Under the change of control agreements, if during the employment term (three years from the change in control) the employee is terminated other than for cause (as defined in the agreements) or if the employee voluntarily terminates his employment for good reason (as defined in the agreements) or during a 30-day window period one year after a change of control, the employee is entitled to specified severance benefits, including a lump sum payment of three or two (depending upon which executive officer) times the sum of the employees annual salary, plus a payment equal to the executive officers highest annual bonus (determined as provided in the agreement) and the continuation of certain benefits. Again, we believe that these severance benefits are important as a recruiting and retention device.
Additionally, under our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan, all outstanding stock options immediately vest upon a change in control and all forfeiture or other restrictions on outstanding shares of restricted stock lapse upon a change in control.
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Tax and Accounting Considerations
Deductibility of Executive Compensation. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code generally disallows a tax deduction to a public corporation for non-performance-based compensation over $1,000,000 paid for any fiscal year to each of the individuals who were, at the end of the fiscal year, the corporations chief executive officer and the four other most highly compensated executive officers. Through the end of fiscal 2015, we do not believe that any of the compensation paid to our executive officers exceeded the limit on deductibility in Section 162(m). Nonetheless, certain compensation paid or imputed to individual executive officers covered by Section 162(m) may not satisfy the requirements for performance-based compensation and may cause non-performance-based compensation to exceed the $1,000,000 limit, and would then not be deductible by us to the extent in excess of the $1,000,000 limit. Although the Compensation Committee designs certain components of executive compensation to preserve income tax deductibility, it believes that it is not in the shareholders interest to restrict the Compensation Committees discretion and flexibility in developing appropriate compensation programs and establishing compensation levels and, in some instances, the Compensation Committee may approve compensation that is not fully deductible.
Timing of Equity Incentive Grants
We have a practice of making leveraged stock option grants (if any) and awards of shares of restricted stock (if any) to employees annually on the date of the quarterly meeting of our Board of Directors held in August of each year, after we announce earnings for the prior fiscal year. The Compensation Committee may, at its discretion, periodically approve grants or additional grants of nonqualified stock options and/or shares of restricted stock to executive officers and other key employees. Typically, these grants are made for retention purposes or as a result of a change in an officers responsibilities and duties. The grant date for all classes of stock options and restricted stock (other than inducement grants to new employees) is always the date of approval of the grant by our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee, as applicable, and the grant date for inducement grants to new employees is the first date of employment. During fiscal 2015, the Compensation Committee approved awards to our executive officers and certain key employees of leveraged stock options and grants of shares of restricted stock at the Board of Directors regular meeting held August 20, 2014. Additionally, based upon fiscal 2015 performance, the Compensation Committee approved awards of restricted stock grants to our executive officers and certain key employees at a meeting held August 19, 2015.
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Report of the Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of this Proxy Statement with our management and, based on such review and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to our Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE: |
Michael J. Koss (Chairman) |
David R. Zimmer |
Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr. |
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The following table provides information for fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013 concerning the compensation paid by us to the person who served as our principal executive officer during fiscal 2015, the person who served as our principal financial officer during fiscal 2015 and our three other most highly compensated executive officers based on their total compensation in fiscal 2015. We refer to these five executive officers as our named executive officers in this Proxy Statement.
Name and Principal Position |
Fiscal Year |
Salary | Bonus (1) |
Option Awards (2) |
Stock Awards (3) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (4) |
Change in Pension Value and Non- Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings(5) |
All Other Comp- ensation (6) |
Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frank J. Krejci, |
2015 | $ | 370,333 | | $ | 142,864 | $ | 141,800 | $ | 432,051 | $ | 13,306 | $ | 20,621 | $ | 1,120,975 | ||||||||||||||||||||
President and Chief |
2014 | $ | 350,917 | $ | 15,219 | $ | 252,449 | $ | 71,780 | $ | 414,617 | $ | 414,317 | $ | 18,305 | $ | 1,537,604 | |||||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 330,917 | | $ | 137,215 | $ | 47,380 | $ | 340,808 | $ | | $ | 18,751 | $ | 875,071 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Patrick J. Hansen, |
2015 | $ | 259,750 | | $ | 61,128 | $ | 106,350 | $ | 179,429 | $ | 78,215 | $ | 17,980 | $ | 702,852 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Senior Vice President, |
2014 | $ | 251,067 | $ | 18,180 | $ | 113,567 | $ | 53,835 | $ | 176,448 | $ | 104,180 | $ | 19,589 | $ | 736,866 | |||||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 241,917 | | $ | 71,274 | $ | 35,535 | $ | 153,267 | $ | 53,416 | $ | 15,555 | $ | 570,964 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Rolando J. Guillot, |
2015 | $ | 220,917 | | $ | 41,217 | $ | 92,170 | $ | 121,173 | $ | 55,786 | $ | 16,066 | $ | 547,329 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Vice President-Mexican Operations |
2014 | $ | 212,617 | $ | 2,899 | $ | 75,418 | $ | 57,890 | $ | 119,346 | $ | 73,955 | $ | 14,953 | $ | 557,078 | |||||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 203,833 | | $ | 46,364 | $ | 23,690 | $ | 101,709 | $ | 238 | $ | 14,561 | $ | 390,395 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Richard P. Messina, |
2015 | $ | 200,983 | $ | 38,500 | $ | 36,677 | $ | 92,170 | $ | 84,172 | $ | 3,485 | $ | 28,089 | $ | 484,076 | |||||||||||||||||||
Vice President-Global Sales |
2014 | $ | 189,816 | $ | 16,229 | $ | 64,343 | $ | 59,025 | $ | 106,261 | $ | 3,181 | $ | 27,483 | $ | 466,338 | |||||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 172,776 | | $ | 39,321 | $ | 23,690 | $ | 86,801 | $ | 41,882 | $ | 24,853 | $ | 389,323 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Brian J. Reetz, |
2015 | $ | 183,517 | | $ | 32,834 | $ | 70,900 | $ | 98,740 | $ | 38,665 | $ | 15,771 | $ | 440,427 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Vice President-Security Products |
2014 | $ | 176,350 | $ | 3,614 | $ | 60,124 | $ | 35,890 | $ | 95,532 | $ | 92,918 | $ | 17,674 | $ | 482,102 | |||||||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 168,250 | | $ | 37,036 | $ | 23,690 | $ | 81,271 | $ | | $ | 13,930 | $ | 324,177 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Explanatory Notes for Summary Compensation Table:
1. These amounts represent awards of discretionary bonus payments made by our Compensation Committee. For fiscal year 2015, Mr. Messina received a discretionary bonus of $38,500 in connection with his extraordinary efforts in supporting and providing services to Vehicle Access Systems Technology LLC (VAST), a joint venture relationship entered into by STRATTEC with two other partners. For fiscal year 2014 and in connection with the amendment of the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, our named executive officers received bonus payments on December 31, 2013 equivalent to the amount to reimburse them for the amount, if any, of any FICA tax liability due to the conversion of their benefit to a lump-sum benefit. Additionally, for fiscal 2014 Mr. Messina received a discretionary bonus of $14,125 in connection with his extraordinary efforts in supporting and providing services to VAST. For fiscal year 2013, the Compensation Committee decided not to award any discretionary bonus payments.
2. The amounts in this column reflect the dollar value of long-term equity based compensation awards granted pursuant to the terms of our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan during the fiscal years indicated in the table. These amounts equal the grant date fair value of stock options,
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computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, granted during such fiscal year. Assumptions used in the calculation of the grant date fair value are included under the caption Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on September 4, 2015 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
3. The amounts in this column reflect the dollar value of long-term equity based compensation awards granted pursuant to the terms of our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan during the fiscal years indicated in the table. These amounts equal the grant date fair value of shares of restricted stock, computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, granted during such fiscal year. Assumptions used in the calculation of the grant date fair value are included under the caption Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on September 4, 2015 and such information is incorporated herein by reference.
4. This column discloses the dollar value of all amounts earned by the named executive officers under our Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers for performance related to the applicable fiscal year which were tied to long-term incentive performance targets. Amounts added to each named executive officers Bonus Bank with respect to the applicable fiscal year under the Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan, but not paid with respect to that fiscal year, are not included in this column because the amounts are at risk. Accordingly, amounts in this column include the portion of any Bonus Bank amount paid with respect to performance for the applicable fiscal year to the named executive officer with respect to that fiscal year and with respect to prior fiscal years. See Compensation Analysis and Discussion above.
5. Change in Pension Value and Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Earnings includes for the applicable fiscal year the aggregate increase in the actuarial present value of each named executive officers accumulated benefit under our defined benefit pension plan and amended supplemental executive retirement plan, using the same assumptions and measurement dates used for financial reporting purposes with respect to our audited financial statements for the applicable fiscal year.
6. The table below shows the components of this column, which include our match for each individuals 401(k) plan contributions, the cost of premiums paid by us for term life insurance under which the named executive officer is a beneficiary, dividends paid on shares of unvested restricted stock previously granted to the named executive officers, which dividends were not included in the grant date fair value calculation for the restricted stock awards, and perquisites. The perquisites consist of, for Mr. Hansen, with respect to fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014, gift cards in the amount of $1,000 and $3,000, respectively, for Mr. Guillot, with respect to fiscal 2015 gift cards in the amount of $1,000, for Mr. Messina, with respect to each of fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, gift cards in the amount of $3,130, $2,000 and $1,000, respectively, and an automobile allowance of $9,600 per fiscal year for each of fiscal 2015, 2014 and 2013, and for Mr. Reetz, with respect to each of fiscal 2014 and 2013, gift cards in the amount of $2,000 and $3,000,
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respectively. The gift cards are given to employees as part of a program to incentivize them to utilize the lowest cost airfares for international travel. This program is available to all employees who primarily travel to Asia on company business.
Name |
Year | 401(k) Match |
Life Insurance |
Dividends | Perquisites | Total All Other Compensation |
||||||||||||||||||
Frank J. Krejci |
2015 | $ | 13,490 | $ | 5,211 | $ | 1,920 | $ | | $ | 20,621 | |||||||||||||
2014 | $ | 13,212 | $ | 2,673 | $ | 2,420 | $ | | $ | 18,305 | ||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 13,187 | $ | 3,564 | $ | 2,000 | $ | | $ | 18,751 | ||||||||||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
2015 | $ | 13,218 | $ | 2,322 | $ | 1,440 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 17,980 | |||||||||||||
2014 | $ | 12,965 | $ | 1,776 | $ | 1,848 | $ | 3,000 | $ | 19,589 | ||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 12,798 | $ | 1,197 | $ | 1,560 | $ | | $ | 15,555 | ||||||||||||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
2015 | $ | 13,208 | $ | 706 | $ | 1,152 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 16,066 | |||||||||||||
2014 | $ | 12,958 | $ | 675 | $ | 1,320 | $ | | $ | 14,953 | ||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 12,780 | $ | 741 | $ | 1,040 | $ | | $ | 14,561 | ||||||||||||||
Richard P. Messina |
2015 | $ | 13,355 | $ | 804 | $ | 1,200 | $ | 12,730 | $ | 28,089 | |||||||||||||
2014 | $ | 13,919 | $ | 589 | $ | 1,375 | $ | 11,600 | $ | 27,483 | ||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 12,682 | $ | 531 | $ | 1,040 | $ | 10,600 | $ | 24,853 | ||||||||||||||
Brian J. Reetz |
2015 | $ | 13,177 | $ | 1,634 | $ | 960 | $ | | $ | 15,771 | |||||||||||||
2014 | $ | 12,881 | $ | 1,561 | $ | 1,232 | $ | 2,000 | $ | 17,674 | ||||||||||||||
2013 | $ | 8,413 | $ | 1,477 | $ | 1,040 | $ | 3,000 | $ | 13,930 |
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The following table sets forth information regarding all incentive plan awards that were granted to the named executive officers during fiscal year 2015, including incentive plan awards (equity-based and non-equity based) and other plan-based awards. Disclosure on a separate line item is provided for each grant of an award made to a named executive officer during the year. Non-equity incentive plan awards are awards that are not subject to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 and are intended to serve as an incentive for performance to occur over a specified period, and consist of performance bonus awards under our Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers. We have not granted any equity incentive-based awards, which are equity awards subject to a performance condition or a market condition as those terms are defined by FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.
Name |
Grant Date |
Estimated Future Payouts Under |
All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (2) |
All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock (3) |
Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh.) |
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards (4) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Threshold | Target | Maximum | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Frank J. Krejci |
08/20/14 | | | | 4,090 | | $ | 79.73 | $ | 142,864 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
08/20/14 | | | | | 2,000 | | $ | 141,800 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $0 | $ | 277,750 | $ | 347,188 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
08/20/14 | | | | 1,750 | | $ | 79.73 | $ | 61,128 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
08/20/14 | | | | | 1,500 | | $ | 106,350 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $0 | $ | 116,880 | $ | 146,109 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
08/20/14 | | | | 1,180 | | $ | 79.73 | $ | 41,217 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
08/20/14 | | | | | 1,300 | | $ | 92,170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $0 | $ | 77,321 | $ | 96,651 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Richard P. Messina |
08/20/14 | | | | 1,050 | | $ | 79.73 | $ | 36,677 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
08/20/14 | | | | | 1,300 | | $ | 92,170 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $0 | $ | 50,246 | $ | 62,807 | | | | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Brian J. Reetz |
08/20/14 | | | | 940 | | $ | 79.73 | $ | 32,834 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
08/20/14 | | | | | 1,000 | | $ | 70,900 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $0 | $ | 64,231 | $ | 80,289 | | | | |
1. | These amounts show the range of payouts targeted for fiscal 2015 performance under our Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers as described in the section of this Proxy Statement titled Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers entitles our participants to earn bonus awards based upon our financial performance and the participants individual performance for a given fiscal year. The targeted bonus amounts are equal to a percentage of the executive officers base salary (see the Summary Compensation Table). The target was set at 75% of base salary for Mr. Krejci, 45% of base salary for Mr. Hansen, 35% of base salary for each of Mr. Guillot and Mr. Reetz and 25% of base salary for Mr. Messina. Any amounts earned under the EVA Bonus Plan in excess of 125% of the target bonus are added to a Bonus Bank for each executive officer, with one-third of the Bonus Bank balance, consisting of the excess arising during the applicable fiscal year and the two prior fiscal years, being paid with respect to the current fiscal year and one-third being paid with respect to each of the subsequent |
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two fiscal years. The payments with respect to the subsequent two fiscal years are subject to certain at-risk provisions described above under Compensation Discussion and Analysis. The amount under the column Maximum is limited to 125% of the target bonus award. Amounts in excess of 125% of the target award are placed into a Bonus Bank and are subject to certain at risk provisions referenced above. See Compensation Discussion and Analysis for the amount of the Bonus Bank paid to the named executive officers in fiscal 2015. |
2. | Each of the common stock options granted to the named executive officers were granted on August 20, 2014, vest on August 20, 2017, the three-year anniversary of the grant date, and expire on August 20, 2024. |
3. | The restricted stock awards were granted on August 20, 2014 and vest on August 20, 2017, the three-year anniversary of the grant date. |
4. | The value of the restricted stock or option award is based upon the grant date fair value of $70.90 per share for each share of restricted stock awarded on August 20, 2014 and $34.93 per share for each option share underlying the option award made on August 20, 2014, determined pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. The grant date fair value is the amount we expense in our financial statements over the awards vesting schedule. See the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on September 4, 2015 for the assumptions we relied on in determining the value of these awards. |
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Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
The following table sets forth information on outstanding option and unvested restricted stock awards held by the named executive officers at our fiscal year ending June 28, 2015, including the number of shares underlying both exercisable and unexercisable portions of each stock option as well as the exercise price and expiration date of each outstanding option and the number of shares of restricted stock held at this fiscal year end that have not yet vested.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable |
Option Exercise Price ($) |
Option Expiration Date |
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) |
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(8) |
||||||||||||||||||
Frank J. Krejci |
12,000 | | 18.49 | 01/01/20 | (1) | 2,000 | (9) | 140,520 | ||||||||||||||||
49 | | 22.47 | 08/17/15 | (2) | 2,000 | (10) | 140,520 | |||||||||||||||||
8,610 | | 26.53 | 08/22/21 | (3) | 2,000 | (11) | 140,520 | |||||||||||||||||
| 13,093 | 25.64 | 08/20/22 | (4) | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| 14,360 | 38.71 | 08/21/23 | (5) | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| 4,090 | 79.73 | 08/20/24 | (6) | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
| 6,801 | 25.64 | 08/20/22 | (4) | 1,500 | (9) | 105,390 | ||||||||||||||||
| 6,460 | 38.71 | 08/21/23 | (5) | 1,500 | (10) | 105,390 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1,750 | 79.73 | 08/20/24 | (6) | 1,500 | (11) | 105,390 | |||||||||||||||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
6,000 | | 17.59 | 12/09/19 | (7) | 1,000 | (9) | 70,260 | ||||||||||||||||
2,880 | | 26.53 | 08/22/21 | (3) | 1,000 | (10) | 70,260 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4,424 | 25.64 | 08/20/22 | (4) | 400 | (12) | 28,104 | |||||||||||||||||
| 4,290 | 38.71 | 08/21/23 | (5) | 1,300 | (11) | 91,338 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1,180 | 79.73 | 08/20/24 | (6) | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Richard P. Messina |
| 3,752 | 25.64 | 08/20/22 | (4) | 1,000 | (9) | 70,260 | ||||||||||||||||
| 3,660 | 38.71 | 08/21/23 | (5) | 1,000 | (10) | 70,260 | |||||||||||||||||
| 1,050 | 79.73 | 08/20/24 | (6) | 300 | (13) | 21,078 | |||||||||||||||||
| | | | 200 | (12) | 14,052 | ||||||||||||||||||
| | | | 1,300 | (11) | 91,338 | ||||||||||||||||||
Brian J. Reetz |
2,914 | | 10.92 | 02/26/19 | (14) | 1,000 | (9) | 70,260 | ||||||||||||||||
2,290 | | 26.53 | 08/22/21 | (3) | 1,000 | (10) | 70,260 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3,534 | 25.64 | 08/20/22 | (4) | 1,000 | (11) | 70,260 | |||||||||||||||||
| 3,420 | 38.71 | 08/21/23 | (5) | | | ||||||||||||||||||
| 940 | 79.73 | 08/20/24 | (6) | | |
(1) | The common stock option vested pro rata over a four-year period on each of January 1, 2011, January 1, 2012, January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2014. |
(2) | The common stock option vested on August 17, 2013, the three-year anniversary of the grant date. |
(3) | The common stock option vested on August 22, 2014, the three year anniversary of the grant date. |
(4) | The common stock option vested on August 20, 2015, the three year anniversary of the grant date. |
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(5) | The common stock option vests on August 21, 2016, the three year anniversary of the grant date. |
(6) | The common stock option vests on August 20, 2017, the three year anniversary of the grant date. |
(7) | The common stock option vested pro rata over a four-year period on each of December 9, 2010, December 9, 2011, December 9, 2012 and December 9, 2013. |
(8) | Market value equals the closing market price of our common stock on June 26, 2015, the last trading day prior to our fiscal year end of June 28, 2015, which was $70.26, multiplied by the number of shares of restricted stock. |
(9) | The shares of restricted stock vested on August 20, 2015, the third anniversary of the grant date. |
(10) | The shares of restricted stock vest on August 21, 2016, the third anniversary of the grant date. |
(11) | The shares of restricted stock vest on August 20, 2017, the third anniversary of the grant date. |
(12) | The shares of restricted stock vest on February 17, 2017, the third anniversary of the grant date. |
(13) | The shares of restricted stock vest on October 8, 2016, the third anniversary of the grant date. |
(14) | The common stock option vested pro rata over a four-year period on each of February 26, 2010, February 26, 2011, February 26, 2012 and February 26, 2013. |
Option Exercises and Stock Vested
The following table sets forth information relating to the number of stock options exercised and the restricted stock awards that vested during fiscal 2015 for each of the named executive officers on an aggregate basis.
Option Awards | Stock Awards | |||||||||||||||
Name |
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value Realized on Exercise ($)(1) |
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) |
Value Realized on Vesting ($)(2) |
||||||||||||
Frank J. Krejci |
| | 1,500 | 109,875 | ||||||||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
4,550 | 200,291 | 1,200 | 87,900 | ||||||||||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
| | 800 | 58,600 | ||||||||||||
Richard P. Messina |
2,420 | 107,666 | 800 | 58,600 | ||||||||||||
Brian J. Reetz |
4,176 | 259,079 | 800 | 58,600 |
(1) | Value realized equals the market value of our common stock at the time of exercise (which equals, if applicable, the sale price if exercised and sold under a cashless exercise program), minus the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares acquired on exercise. |
(2) | Value realized equals the market price of our common stock at the time of vesting, multiplied by the number of shares that vested. All of the shares vested on the third anniversary of the grant date or August 22, 2014. The closing market price of our common stock on August 22, 2014 was $73.25. |
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The following table sets forth the actuarial present value of each named executive officers accumulated benefit under each STRATTEC defined benefit plan as of our fiscal year ending June 28, 2015, assuming benefits are paid at normal retirement age based on current levels of compensation. The valuation method and all material assumptions applied in quantifying the present value of the current accumulated benefit for each of the named executive officers are included under the caption Retirement Plans and Postretirement Costs included in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on September 4, 2015, and such information is incorporated herein by reference. The table also shows the number of years of credited service under each plan, computed as of the same pension plan measurement date used in STRATTECs audited financial statements for the year ended June 28, 2015. The table also reports any pension benefits paid to each named executive officer during the year.
Name |
Plan Name |
Number of Years Credited Service (#) |
Present Value of Accumulated Benefit ($) |
Payments During Last Fiscal Year ($) |
||||||||||
Frank J. Krejci |
STRATTEC SECURITY CORP. Retirement Plan | * | | | ||||||||||
Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan** | 6 | 427,623 | | |||||||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
STRATTEC SECURITY CORP. Retirement Plan | 15 | 499,113 | | ||||||||||
Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan** | 17 | 428,987 | | |||||||||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
STRATTEC SECURITY CORP. Retirement Plan | 20 | 648,044 | | ||||||||||
Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan** | 11 | 75,457 | | |||||||||||
Richard P. Messina |
STRATTEC SECURITY CORP. Retirement Plan | 1 | 18,291 | | ||||||||||
Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan** | 7 | 30,257 | | |||||||||||
Brian J. Reetz |
STRATTEC SECURITY CORP. Retirement Plan | 26 | 792,057 | | ||||||||||
Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan** | 8 | 66,607 | |
* | Effective January 1, 2010, benefit accruals under the STRATTEC defined benefit retirement plan for service after December 31, 2009 was terminated. Accordingly, Mr. Krejci is not eligible to participate in this plan. |
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** | Effective December 31, 2013, the SERP was amended to generally simplify the benefit calculation formula. See Post-Employment Compensation-Retirement Plan and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan below for additional information. |
Each of our named executive officers has signed an employment agreement with STRATTEC. The term of each employment agreement automatically extends for one year each June 30 unless either party gives 30 days notice that the agreement will not be further extended. Under the agreement, the officer agrees to perform the duties currently being performed in addition to such other duties that may be assigned from time to time. We agree to pay the officer a salary of not less than that of the previous year and to provide fringe benefits that are provided to all of our other salaried employees who are in comparable positions.
The terms of these employment agreements generally include the following:
| each of these executive officers is entitled to participate in our bonus plans (including our Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Executive Officers and Senior Managers) and our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan; |
| each of these executive officers is eligible to participate in any medical, health, dental, disability and life insurance policy that we maintain for the benefit of our other senior management; |
| each of these executive officers will also receive at our expense group term life insurance coverage equal to two times their base salary subject to a maximum amount of coverage equal to $500,000; |
| each of these executive officers has agreed not to compete with us during employment and for a period equal to the shorter of one year following termination of employment or the duration of the employees employment with us and has agreed to maintain the confidentiality of our proprietary information and trade secrets during the term of employment and for two years thereafter; and |
| each employment agreement contains severance benefits, which are summarized below under Post-Employment Compensation. |
401(k) Plan Benefits
Our U.S.-based executive officers are eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan on the same terms as our other U.S.-based employees. The match in our 401(k) plan is 100% on the first 5% of an employees annual wages (up to the federal limit). All of our executive officers participated in our 401(k) plan during fiscal 2015 and received matching contributions in accordance with the foregoing methodology.
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Retirement Plan and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
We maintain a defined benefit retirement plan covering all executive officers and substantially all other employees in the United States. Under this qualified defined benefit retirement plan, nonbargaining unit employees receive an annual pension payable on a monthly basis at retirement equal to 1.6% of the employees average of the highest 5 years of compensation during the last 10 calendar years of service prior to retirement multiplied by the number of years of credited service, with an offset of 50% of Social Security benefits (prorated if years of credited service are less than 30). Compensation under the qualified defined benefit retirement plan includes the compensation as shown in the Summary Compensation Table under the headings Salary, Bonus, and Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation subject to a maximum compensation amount set by law ($265,000 in 2015). Effective January 1, 2010, an amendment to the qualified retirement plan discontinued the benefit accruals for salary increases and credited service rendered after December 31, 2009.
Our executive officers also participated during fiscal 2015 in a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (SERP). The SERP is a non-qualified supplemental retirement plan program which, prior to January 1, 2014, essentially mirrored the qualified retirement plan described above, but provided benefits in excess of certain limits placed on our qualified retirement plan by the Internal Revenue Code. The benefits provided under the SERP were therefore primarily those that would have been provided under the terms of our qualified retirement plan except for the application of the Internal Revenue Code limits. Consequently, prior to January 1, 2014, under our SERP, executive officers were provided with additional increments of (a) 0.50% of the employees average of the highest 5 years of compensation (as limited under the defined benefit retirement plan) per year of credited service over the benefits payable under the qualified retirement plan to nonbargaining unit employees and (b) 2.1% of the compensation exceeding the qualified retirement plan dollar compensation limit per year of credited service. We have created a Rabbi Trust for deposit of the aggregate present value of the benefits described above for our executive officers.
On October 8, 2013, our Board of Directors approved certain amendments to the SERP which amendments were effective as of December 31, 2013. The amendments generally simplified the SERP by revising the benefit calculation formula. Specifically, the amendments to the SERP generally provided for the following:
| Each participants accrued benefit on December 31, 2013 was determined as a lump-sum benefit that was credited to an account established for the participant (the Conversion Account). |
| STRATTEC will credit 8% of a participants base salary and cash bonus each December 31, beginning with December 31, 2014 (the Company Defined Contribution Account) to the participants account. |
| As amended, the SERP provides a supplemental retirement benefit to each participant consisting of the Conversion Account, the Company Defined Contribution Account and credited interest on each account. The credited interest rate equals 120% of the long-term Applicable Federal Rate (AFR) determined each January 1, credited to the balance of each participants account. |
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| For the Company Defined Contribution Account, STRATTEC will first credit interest as of January 1, 2016. The interest amount is equal to the participants Company Defined Contribution Account balance as of December 31, 2014 multiplied by 120% of the long-term AFR for January 2015. The same method to credit interest is used for each subsequent December 31. |
| For the Conversion Account, STRATTEC first credited interest as of January 1, 2015. The interest amount is equal to the participants Conversion Account balance as of December 31, 2013 multiplied by 120% of the long-term AFR for January 2014. The same method to credit interest is used for each subsequent December 31. |
| If a participant has a separation from service during the plan year, STRATTEC will credit interest to the participant account(s) on a pro-rata basis. |
| All participants as of December 31, 2013 were deemed to be vested and individuals who began participating in the SERP on or after January 1, 2014 are subject to a five-year vesting schedule. |
| A lump-sum benefit shall be the only distribution option available under the SERP. |
| Each participant chooses, by having made an election before the date the participant or employee becomes eligible for the Company Defined Contribution Account, whether the Company Defined Contribution Account will be paid six months after the participants separation from service or whether half will be paid six months after the participants separation from service and the remaining half paid 18 months after the participants separation from service. |
The following table shows total estimated annual benefits payable from the qualified defined benefit retirement plan and the SERP to executive officers upon normal retirement at age 65 at specified compensation and years of service classifications calculated on a single life basis and adjusted for the projected Social Security offset:
Annual Pension Payable for Life After Specified Years of Credited Service |
||||||||||||||||
Average Annual Compensation |
10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years | 40 Years | ||||||||||||
$100,000 |
$ | 17,500 | $ | 35,000 | $ | 52,500 | $ | 70,000 | * | |||||||
150,000 |
28,000 | 56,000 | 84,000 | 105,000 | * | |||||||||||
200,000 |
38,500 | 77,000 | 115,500 | 140,000 | * | |||||||||||
250,000 |
49,000 | 98,000 | 147,000 | 175,000 | * | |||||||||||
300,000 |
59,500 | 119,000 | 178,500 | 210,000 | * | |||||||||||
350,000 |
70,000 | 140,000 | 210,000 | 245,000 | * | |||||||||||
400,000 |
80,500 | 161,000 | 241,500 | 280,000 | * | |||||||||||
450,000 |
91,000 | 182,000 | 273,000 | 315,000 | * | |||||||||||
500,000 |
101,500 | 203,000 | 304,500 | 350,000 | * | |||||||||||
550,000 |
112,000 | 224,000 | 336,000 | 385,000 | * | |||||||||||
600,000 |
122,500 | 245,000 | 367,700 | 420,000 | * | |||||||||||
650,000 |
133,000 | 266,000 | 399,000 | 455,000 | * | |||||||||||
700,000 |
143,500 | 287,000 | 430,500 | 490,000 | * |
* | Figures reduced to reflect the maximum limitation under the plans of 70% of compensation. |
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The above table does not reflect limitations imposed by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, on pensions paid under federal income tax qualified plans. However, an executive officer covered by our program will receive the full pension to which he or she would be entitled in the absence of such limitations.
Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control
We have entered into employment agreements and change of control employment agreements with each of our named executive officers that provide for severance benefits following a termination of employment, as well as provide employment benefits in connection with a change of control (as defined in the change of control agreements).
The employment agreements with our named executive officers provide that if the executive officers employment is terminated as a result of the death or disability of such executive officer, then the executive officer (or his or her beneficiary) is entitled to continuation of the executive officers then effective base salary for a period of six months after termination and continuation of health and dental coverage for such six month period after termination of employment. If the executive officers employment is terminated by us without cause (as defined in the employment agreements), then the executive officer will be entitled to continuation (1) of the executive officers then effective base salary for twelve months in the case of Mr. Krejci and, for each other executive officer, for a minimum of six months after termination or a maximum of twelve months with each executive officer receiving one month credit for each year of service as an officer of STRATTEC and (2) of health and dental coverage for such six to twelve month period, as applicable.
Each of our named executive officers has also signed a change of control employment agreement which guarantees the employee continued employment following a change of control (as defined in the agreements) on a basis equivalent to the employees employment immediately prior to such change in terms of position, duties, compensation and benefits, as well as specified payments upon termination following a change of control. Such agreements become effective only upon a defined change of control of STRATTEC, or if the employees employment is terminated upon, or in anticipation of such a change of control, and automatically supersede any existing employment agreement once they become effective. Under these agreements, if during the employment term (three years from the date of the change of control), the employee is terminated other than for cause (as defined in the agreements) or if the employee voluntarily terminates his or her employment for good reason (as defined in the agreements) or during a 30-day window period one year after a change of control, then the executive officer is entitled to specified severance benefits, including (1) a lump sum payment of three (with respect to Mr. Krejci) or two (with respect to each other named executive officer) times the employees annual base salary, (2) a payment equal to the executive officers highest annual bonus (determined as provided in the agreement) and (3) continuation of certain fringe and other benefits.
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The following table sets forth the compensation that each of our named executive officers would have been eligible to receive if the applicable executive officers employment had been terminated on the last day of, but prior to, our fiscal year end (June 28, 2015) under circumstances requiring payment of severance benefits as described above other than in connection with a change of control.
Potential Severance Under Employment Agreements
Name |
Salary | Benefits(1) | Total | |||||||||
Frank J. Krejci |
$ | 373,600 | $ | 17,583 | $ | 391,183 | ||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
$ | 261,200 | $ | 10,526 | $ | 271,726 | ||||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
$ | 185,200 | $ | 14,652 | $ | 199,852 | ||||||
Richard P. Messina |
$ | 101,300 | $ | 8,791 | $ | 110,091 | ||||||
Brian J. Reetz |
$ | 123,133 | $ | 7,584 | $ | 130,717 |
(1) | The benefits consist of expenses for the continuation of health and dental coverage for a six to twelve month period, as applicable. |
The following table sets forth the compensation that each of our named executive officers would have been eligible to receive if the applicable executive officers employment had been terminated on the last day of, but prior to, our fiscal year end (June 28, 2015) under circumstances requiring payment of severance benefits as described above in connection with a change of control.
Potential Severance Payments Under Change of Control Agreements Following a Change of Control
Name |
Salary | Bonus(1) | Benefits(2) | Total | ||||||||||||
Frank J. Krejci |
$ | 1,120,800 | $ | 432,051 | $ | 52,748 | $ | 1,605,599 | ||||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
$ | 522,400 | $ | 179,429 | $ | 21,052 | $ | 722,881 | ||||||||
Rolando J. Guillot |
$ | 444,600 | $ | 121,173 | $ | 35,166 | $ | 600,939 | ||||||||
Richard P. Messina |
$ | 405,200 | $ | 122,672 | $ | 35,166 | $ | 563,038 | ||||||||
Brian J. Reetz |
$ | 369,400 | $ | 98,740 | $ | 22,751 | $ | 490,891 |
(1) | The bonus amount is based upon a payment equal to the executive officers highest annual bonus payments (determined as provided in the applicable change of control agreement) that were paid (taking into account the application of the bonus bank feature in our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan and the 33% payout thereof in each fiscal year) with respect to the applicable fiscal year or years. |
(2) | The benefits consist of expenses for the continuation of health and dental coverage for a three (with respect to Mr. Krejci) or two (with respect to all other named executive officers) year period. |
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Our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan also provides for immediate vesting of all outstanding options and the lapse of any forfeiture provisions or other restrictions on outstanding shares of restricted stock upon a change in control of STRATTEC. The following table sets forth the unvested stock options and shares of unvested restricted stock held by our named executive officers as of June 28, 2015 that would become vested in the event of a change in control of STRATTEC.
Name |
Number of
Shares Underlying Unvested Options |
Unrealized Value of Unvested Options(1) |
Number of Shares of Restricted Stock that are Unvested |
Unrealized Value of Unvested Restricted Stock(2) |
||||||||||||
Frank J. Krejci |
31,543 | $ | 1,037,268 | 6,000 | $ | 421,560 | ||||||||||
Patrick J. Hansen |
15,011 | $ | 507,274 | 4,500 | $ | 316,170 | ||||||||||
Rolando Guillot |
9,894 | $ | 332,748 | 3,700 | $ | 259,962 | ||||||||||
Richard P. Messina |
8,462 | $ | 282,887 | 3,800 | $ | 266,988 | ||||||||||
Brian J. Reetz |
7,894 | $ | 265,588 | 3,000 | $ | 210,780 |
(1) | Unrealized value equals the closing market value of our Common Stock as of June 26, 2015, the last trading day prior to our fiscal year end of June 28, 2015, minus the exercise price, multiplied by the number of unvested stock options as of such date. The closing market value of our Common Stock on June 26, 2015 was $70.26. Any shares subject to unvested stock options where the exercise price exceeds the closing market value of our Common Stock on June 26, 2015 are deemed to have no unrealized value. |
(2) | Unrealized value equals the closing market value of our Common Stock as of June 26, 2015, the last trading day prior to our fiscal year end of June 28, 2015, multiplied by the number of unvested shares of our Common Stock as of such date. The closing market value of our Common Stock on June 26, 2015 was $70.26. |
During fiscal 2015, each of our nonemployee directors received an annual retainer fee of $24,000, a fee of $1,500 for each Board meeting attended and a fee of $1,000 for each committee meeting attended. The respective chairmen of the Board committees received an additional retainer fee of $5,000 for the Audit Committee and $2,500 for the Compensation Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Effective June 30, 1997, we implemented an Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Non-Employee Members of the Board of Directors. The purpose of the Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Non-Employee Members of the Board of Directors is to maximize long-term shareholder value by providing incentive compensation to non-employee directors in a form which relates the financial reward to an increase in our value to our shareholders and to enhance our ability to attract and retain outstanding individuals to serve as
52
non-employee directors. Our Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Non-Employee Members of the Board of Directors provides for the payment of a potential cash bonus to each non-employee director equal to the product of (a) 40% of the directors retainer and meeting fees for the fiscal year, multiplied by (b) a Company Performance Factor. In general, the Company Performance Factor is determined by reference to our financial performance relative to a targeted cash-based return on capital, which is intended to approximate our weighted cost of capital (which was 10% for fiscal 2015).
Our outside directors are also eligible participants under our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan and are entitled, subject to the discretion of our Compensation Committee, to receive awards under that plan. On August 20, 2014, our Compensation Committee approved specified grants of shares of restricted stock based upon fiscal 2014 performance of 600 shares to each of Mr. Stratton, Mr. Koss, Mr. Zimmer and Mr. Florsheim. All of these shares of restricted stock vest on the third anniversary of the grant date and have all the rights of our shares of common stock (including voting rights), other than the right to receive cash dividends while such shares are not vested. These shares of restricted stock had a grant date fair value per share of $70.90 as determined pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.
On August 19, 2015, our Compensation Committee also made specified grants of shares of restricted stock based upon fiscal 2015 performance of 600 shares to each of Mr. Stratton, Mr. Koss, Mr. Zimmer and Mr. Florsheim. These shares of restricted stock all vest on the third anniversary of the grant date and have all the rights of our shares of common stock (including voting rights), other than the right to receive cash dividends while such shares are not vested. These shares of restricted stock had a grant date fair value per share of $69.02 as determined pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718.
As noted elsewhere herein, our Board of Directors retained Verisight in May 2012 to compile a survey of board of director compensation data from a peer group of companies. Verisight compiled board of director pay practice data from the same industry peer companies as were included in the Verisight report prepared in 2012 on executive officer compensation which was described above under Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Peer Group Benchmarking with the exception of two companies (Supreme Industries and Clarion Technologies) which did not have board pay data available. The data compiled by the survey included an analysis of retainer fees for board and committee service, meeting fees, chairperson fees and incentive compensation. Based upon the survey results, the overall compensation level of our directors was at or near the median compensation of the directors of the companies included in the survey, with equity compensation being below the median but cash incentive compensation exceeding the median. Our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee discussed the results of this survey at meetings held in early fiscal 2013 and subsequently formally approved changes relating to the compensation of our directors that applied during fiscal years 2013 through 2015.
Our Board of Directors retained Verisight in May 2015 to compile a survey of board of director compensation data from a peer group of companies. Verisight compiled board of director pay practice data from the same industry peer companies as were included in the Verisight report prepared in May 2015 on executive officer compensation which was described above under
53
Compensation Discussion and Analysis-Peer Group Benchmarking. The data compiled by the survey included an analysis of retainer fees for board and committee service, meeting fees, chairperson fees and incentive compensation. Based upon the survey results, the overall compensation level of our directors was at or near the median compensation of the directors of the companies included in the survey, with equity compensation being below the median but cash incentive compensation exceeding the median. Our Board of Directors and our Compensation Committee discussed the results of this survey at meetings held in early fiscal 2016 and subsequently formally approved changes relating to the compensation of our directors for fiscal 2016, which consisted of the following:
| increasing the annual retainer fee for each director to $25,000; |
| increasing the additional retainer fee for the chairman of the Audit Committee to $7,000; and |
| increasing the additional retainer fee for the chairman of the Compensation and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committees to $3,500. |
We expect to engage Verisight or a similar third party consultant to conduct a similar compensation analysis and report again at the end of fiscal 2017 (i.e., we expect to conduct a similar director compensation analysis every second fiscal year).
Commencing on September 1, 2012, Mr. Stratton became a non-employee member of our Board of Directors. As a non-employee director, effective September 1, 2012 and thereafter unless approved by our Compensation Committee, Mr. Stratton is entitled to (1) an annual retainer fee of $90,000 and (2) board meeting fees and participation in the Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan and the Amended Economic Value Added Bonus Plan for Non-Employee Members of the Board of Directors on a basis consistent with our other non-employee directors, as described above.
54
Director Summary Compensation Table
The following table summarizes the director compensation for fiscal year 2015 for all of our non-employee directors. Mr. Krejci did not receive any additional compensation for his service as a director during fiscal 2015 beyond the amounts previously disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table.
Name |
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
Stock
Awards ($)(1) |
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2) |
All Other Compensation ($)(3) |
Total ($) | |||||||||||||||
Harold M. Stratton II |
97,500 | 42,540 | 65,130 | 1,584 | 206,754 | |||||||||||||||
Michael J. Koss |
39,000 | 42,540 | 26,052 | 768 | 108,360 | |||||||||||||||
Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr. |
39,000 | 42,540 | 26,052 | 384 | 107,976 | |||||||||||||||
David R. Zimmer |
41,500 | 42,540 | 27,722 | 768 | 112,530 |
(1) | The amounts in this column reflect the dollar value of long-term equity based compensation awards granted pursuant to the terms of our Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan during the fiscal year. These amounts equal the grant date fair value of shares of restricted stock, computed in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of the grant date fair value are included under the caption Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements in the fiscal year 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on September 4, 2015 and such information is incorporated herein by reference. |
(2) | This column discloses the dollar value of all amounts earned by the director under our Amended Economic Value Added Plan for Non-Employee Members of the Board of Directors for performance in fiscal 2015 which were tied to incentive performance targets. |
(3) | Amounts in this column represent dividends paid on shares of unvested restricted stock previously granted to the directors, which dividends were not included in the grant date fair value calculation for the restricted stock awards noted in footnote (1) above. |
TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS
During fiscal 2015, other than as described above under Executive Compensation and Director Compensation, STRATTEC did not engage in any related party transactions within the meaning of the rules of the Commission.
Review and Approval of Related Person Transactions
The charter for our Audit Committee provides that one of the responsibilities of our Audit Committee is to review and approve related party transactions in accordance with the listing standards or requirements of the NASDAQ Stock Market. Although we do not currently have a formal written set of policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of related
55
person transactions, we do have written procedures in place to identify related party transactions that may require Audit Committee approval. These procedures include annual submission of director and officer questionnaires. Where a related party transaction is identified, the Audit Committee reviews and, where appropriate, approves the transaction based on whether it believes that the transaction is at arms length and contains terms that are no less favorable than what we could have obtained from an unaffiliated third party.
NON-BINDING ADVISORY VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
We believe that our compensation policies and procedures, which are reviewed and approved by our Compensation Committee, are designed to align our executive officers compensation with our short-term and long-term performance and to provide the compensation and incentives needed to attract, motivate and retain key executives who are important to our continued success. Our Compensation Committee periodically reviews and approves our compensation policies and procedures, and periodically reviews our executive compensation programs and takes any steps it deems necessary to continue to fulfill the objectives of our compensation programs.
Shareholders are encouraged to carefully review the Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement for a detailed discussion of our executive compensation programs.
As required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Commission rules and regulations (and consistent with the similar proposal on executive compensation submitted to our shareholders in connection with previous shareholder annual meetings), our Board of Directors has authorized a non-binding advisory shareholder vote to approve the compensation of our named executive officers as reflected in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the disclosures regarding named executive officer compensation provided in the various tables included in this Proxy Statement, the accompanying narrative disclosures and the other executive compensation information provided in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a Say on Pay proposal, gives our shareholders the opportunity to endorse or not endorse our executive pay programs and policies.
Accordingly, shareholders are being asked to vote on the following resolution:
Resolved, that the compensation paid to STRATTECs named executive officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the compensation disclosure rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (including pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K), including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby approved by the shareholders of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION.
Because this shareholder vote is advisory, it will not be binding on the Board of Directors. However, our Compensation Committee will take into account the outcome of the vote when considering future executive compensation arrangements.
56
If a quorum exists, the approval of the non-binding advisory proposal on our executive compensation described in this Proxy Statement requires the votes cast, in person or by proxy, and entitled to vote thereon, for this proposal to exceed the votes cast against this proposal. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not count toward the determination of whether this proposal is approved and will have no impact on the vote.
Board of Directors Recommendation
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the non-binding advisory resolution approving our executive compensation.
ANNUAL REPORT TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION ON FORM 10-K
We are required to file an annual report, called a Form 10-K, with the Securities Exchange Commission. A copy of Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 28, 2015 will be made available, without charge, to any person entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Written request should be directed to Patrick J. Hansen, Office of the Corporate Secretary, STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, 3333 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209.
Any shareholder who desires to submit a proposal or a nominee director for inclusion in our 2016 Proxy Statement in accordance with Rule 14a-8 must submit the proposal in writing to Patrick J. Hansen, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION, 3333 West Good Hope Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53209. We must receive a proposal by May 7, 2016 (120 days prior to the anniversary of the mailing date of this Proxy Statement) in order to consider the proposal or nominee for inclusion in our 2016 Proxy Statement. For additional information on nominee director proposals, see Corporate Governance Matters Director Nominations above.
Proposals submitted other than pursuant to Rule 14a-8 that are not intended for inclusion in our 2016 Proxy Statement will be considered untimely if received after July 8, 2016 (90 days prior to the anniversary date of the previous years annual meeting of shareholders). If a shareholder gives notice of such a proposal after this deadline, Commission rules allow our proxy holders discretionary voting authority to vote against the shareholder proposal to the extent it is properly presented for consideration at the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
57
Our directors know of no other matters to be brought before the meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, including any adjournment or adjournments thereof, it is intended that proxies received in response to this solicitation will be voted on such matters in the discretion of the person or persons named in the accompanying proxy form.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
Patrick J. Hansen,
Secretary
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
September 4, 2015
58
STRATTECTM
Shareowner ServicesSM
P.O. Box 64945
St. Paul, MN 55164-0945
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE FOR ELECTION
OF THE NOMINEE DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.
AFTER VOTING SIMPLY SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD.
Please detach here
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION 2015 ANNUAL MEETING
1. Election of directors:
01 Harold M. Stratton II
(term expiring at the 2018 Annual Meeting)
02
Thomas W. Florsheim, Jr.
Vote FOR the nominees
Vote WITHHELD from all nominees
(To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box to the right.)
2. To approve the non-binding advisory proposal on executive Compensation.
Vote FOR the proposal
Vote AGAINST the proposal ABSTAIN
3. In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote on such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
THIS PROXY WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR
PROPOSAL 1, AND FOR PROPOSAL 2.
Address Change? Mark box, sign, and indicate changes below:
Date
Signature(s) in Box
If signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or
guardian, please add your full title as such. If shares are held
by two or more persons, all holders must sign the Proxy.
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
8:00 a.m. Central Time
Radisson Hotel
7065 North Port Washington Road
Milwaukee, WI 53217
Proxy Statement for the 2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be Held on October 6, 2015
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
2015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on October 6, 2015:
This Proxy Statement and the Accompanying Annual Report
are Available at www.strattec.com
STRATTECTM STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
3333 West Good Hope Road
Milwaukee, WI 53209 proxy
STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoints Frank J. Krejci and Patrick J. Hansen, or either one of them, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, as proxy or proxies of the undersigned to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of STRATTEC SECURITY CORPORATION to be held on October 6, 2015 at 8:00 a.m. Central Time, at the Radisson Hotel, 7065 North Port Washington Road, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53217, and at any adjournment thereof, there to vote all shares of Common Stock which the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present as specified upon the following matters and in their discretion upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and accompanying Proxy Statement, ratifies all that said proxies or their substitutions may lawfully do by virtue hereof, and revokes all former proxies.
Please sign exactly as your name appears hereon, date and return this Proxy. UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED TO GRANT AUTHORITY TO ELECT THE NOMINATED DIRECTORS, AND TO APPROVE THE NON-BINDING ADVISORY PROPOSAL ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. IF OTHER MATTERS COME BEFORE THE MEETING, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BEST JUDGEMENT OF THE PROXIES APPOINTED.
See reverse for voting instructions.
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