[LOGO]
GRACO INC.
88 Eleventh Avenue NE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Dear Shareholder:
Please join us on Tuesday, May 1, 2001, at 1:30 p.m. for Graco's Annual
Meeting of Shareholders at the Russell J. Gray Technical Center, which is
located at the intersection of Ramsey Street and 11th Avenue N.E., Minneapolis,
Minnesota.
At this meeting, shareholders will consider the following matters:
1. Election of three directors to serve for three-year terms.
2. Adoption of the Graco Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.
3. Ratification of the selection of independent auditors for the current
year.
4. Transaction of such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on March 5, 2001, are
entitled to vote at this meeting or any adjournment.
We encourage you to join us and participate in the meeting. If you are
unable to do so, you may either call our toll-free telephone vote number, or
mark and return the enclosed Proxy Card. Have your Proxy Card in front of you
when you make your call as it contains important information which is required
to access the system.
If you do not call us, return your Proxy Card or vote your shares in person
at the meeting, you will lose your right to vote on matters that are important
to you as a shareholder. Accordingly, if you do not plan to attend the meeting,
please call 1-800-240-6326 to vote your shares, or execute and return the
enclosed Proxy Card. This will not prevent you from voting in person if you
decide to attend the meeting.
Sincerely,
/s/George Aristides /s/Robert M. Mattison
George Aristides Robert M. Mattison
Chief Executive Officer Secretary
March 29, 2001
Minneapolis, Minnesota
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT
We urge you to call our transfer agent any time toll-free at
1-800-240-6326 and vote your shares. Have your Proxy Card in front of you
when you make your call as it contains important information, including a
unique shareholder control number that is required to access the system.
Follow the prompts in the automated menu. If you do not wish to take
advantage of the telephone voting, please mark, date and sign the Proxy
Card and return it in the accompanying envelope as soon as possible. If
you attend the meeting, you may still revoke your proxy and vote in person
if you wish.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Election of Directors................................................2
Nominees and Other Directors.......................................2
Meetings and Committees of the Board of Directors..................4
Nomination of Directors............................................5
Audit Committee Report.............................................5
Report of the Audit Committee ..................................5
Principal Accounting Firm Fees..................................6
Executive Compensation.............................................6
Report of the Management Organization
and Compensation Committee...................................6
Comparative Stock Performance Graph.............................9
Summary Compensation Table.....................................10
Option Grants Table (Last Fiscal Year).........................11
Aggregated Option Exercises In Last Fiscal Year and
Fiscal Year-End Option Values...............................11
Change in Control and Termination Arrangements.................12
Retirement Arrangements........................................12
Directors' Fees................................................13
Certain Business Relationships.................................14
Beneficial Ownership of Shares....................................14
Principal Shareholders.........................................15
Section 16 Reporting Compliance................................15
Adoption of Plan....................................................16
Ratification of Appointment of Independent Public Auditors..........20
Other Matters.......................................................20
Shareholder Proposals...............................................20
A copy of the 2000 Graco Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K, including the
Financial Statements and the Financial Statement Schedule, can be obtained
free of charge by calling (612) 623-6659, requesting a copy from our web
site at www.graco.com, or writing:
Treasurer
Graco Inc.
P.O. Box 1441
Minneapolis, Minnesota
55440-1441
NOTE: Vote by telephone - call 1-800-240-6326
[LOGO]
GRACO INC.
88 Eleventh Avenue NE
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD MAY 1, 2001
Your proxy, represented by the accompanying Proxy Card, is solicited by the
Board of Directors of Graco Inc. ("Graco" or the "Company") in connection with
the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of the Company to be held on May 1, 2001,
and any adjournments of that meeting.
The costs of the solicitation, including the cost of preparing and mailing
the Notice of Meeting and this Proxy Statement, will be paid by the Company.
Solicitation will be primarily by mailing this Proxy Statement to all
shareholders entitled to vote at the meeting. Proxies may be solicited by
officers of the Company personally, but at no compensation in addition to their
regular compensation as officers. The Company may reimburse brokers, banks and
others holding shares in their names for third parties, for the cost of
forwarding proxy material to, and obtaining proxies from, third parties. The
Proxy Statement and accompanying Proxy Card will be first mailed to shareholders
on or about March 29, 2001.
Proxies may be revoked at any time prior to being voted by giving written
notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company. All properly executed
proxies received by management will be voted in the manner set forth in this
Proxy Statement or as otherwise specified by the shareholder giving the proxy.
Shares voted as abstentions on any matter (or a "withhold vote for" as to
directors) will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for
purposes of determining the presence of a quorum at the meeting and as unvoted,
although present and entitled to vote, for purposes of determining the approval
of each matter as to which the shareholder has abstained. If a broker submits a
proxy which indicates that the broker does not have discretionary authority as
to certain shares to vote on one or more matters, those shares will be counted
as shares that are present and entitled to vote for purposes of determining the
presence of a quorum at the meeting, but will not be considered as present and
entitled to vote with respect to such matters.
Only shareholders of record as of the close of business on March 5, 2001,
may vote at the meeting or at any adjournment. As of that date, there were
issued and outstanding 30,747,876 common shares of the Company, the only class
of securities entitled to vote at the meeting. Each share registered to a
shareholder of record is entitled to one vote. Cumulative voting is not
permitted.
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
NOMINEES AND OTHER DIRECTORS
The number of directors of the Company is currently set at 12 members. The
directors are divided into three classes as equal in number as reasonably
possible. Vacancies that occur during a term may be filled by a majority vote of
the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, and directors so chosen
hold office for a term expiring at the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Board policy states that no director may continue to serve on the Board after
the last day of the month of his/her seventieth (70th) birthday.
At the forthcoming Annual Meeting, three persons are to be elected to the
Company's Board of Directors. The Board has nominated William G. Van Dyke, Mark
H. Rauenhorst and J. Kevin Gilligan for three-year terms expiring in the year
2004. One nominee, William G. Van Dyke, has previously been elected as a
director of the Company by the shareholders.
Unless otherwise instructed not to vote for the election of directors,
proxies will be voted to elect the nominees. A director candidate must receive
the vote of a majority of the voting power of shares present in order to be
elected. Unless the Board reduces the number of directors, the enclosed proxy
will be voted to elect the replacement nominee designated by the Board in the
event that a nominee is unable or unwilling to serve.
The following information is given as of March 5, 2001 with respect to the
nominees for election and the seven directors whose terms of office will
continue after the Annual Meeting. Except as noted below, each of the nominees
and directors has held the same position, or another executive position with the
same employer, for the past five years.
Nominees for election at this meeting to terms expiring in the year 2004:
William G. Van Dyke
Mr. Van Dyke, 55, is Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President,
Donaldson Company, Inc., a diversified manufacturer of air and liquid
filtration products. Mr. Van Dyke has been a director of Graco since 1995
and is a director of Donaldson Company, Inc.
Mark H. Rauenhorst
Mr. Rauenhorst, 48, is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Opus
Corporation and Opus L.L.C., companies engaged in design, construction and
real estate development activities, positions he assumed in 1999 and 2000
respectively. Beginning in 1996 he was President and CEO of Opus Northwest
L.L.C., where he supervised all activities relating to project development.
He joined Opus in 1982. He was elected a director of the Company in
September 2000.
J. Kevin Gilligan
Mr. Gilligan, 46, is President, Home and Building Control, Honeywell
International Inc., a diversified manufacturer of electronics, controls and
equipment for the aerospace, industrial and building management markets. In
1997 he was elected to the position of President, Solutions and Services
Business, Home and Building Control of Honeywell Inc. Prior to becoming
Vice President and General Manager, North American Region of Honeywell's
Home and Building Control business in 1994, he was Vice President for that
business in Europe. He was elected a director of the Company in February
2001.
Directors whose terms continue until 2002:
David A. Koch
Mr. Koch, 70, is Chairman of the Board of the Company, and will become
Chairman Emeritus on May 1, 2001. He was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer from 1985 to 1996. Mr. Koch has been a director of Graco since
1962. He is also a director of SurModics, Inc. As an exception to Board
policy, the Board of Directors has extended the mandatory retirement for
Mr. Koch until May 31, 2002.
Lee R. Mitau
Mr. Mitau, 52, is Executive Vice President and General Counsel of U.S.
Bancorp, a regional bank holding company. U.S. Bank National Association
provides Graco with cash management, loans and foreign exchange services.
The trustee of the Graco Employee Retirement Plan is First Trust National
Association. Both of these companies are subsidiaries of U.S. Bancorp. From
1983 to 1995, Mr. Mitau was a partner of Dorsey & Whitney LLP. Mr. Mitau
has been a director of Graco since 1990 and is a director of H.B. Fuller
Company. (See section entitled Certain Business Relationships on page 14.)
Martha A.M. Morfitt
Ms. Morfitt, 43, is President, Chief Operating Officer and a director of
CNS Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of consumer products, including the
Breathe Right(R) nasal strip. From 1997 to 1998, she was Vice President,
Meals, from 1994 to 1997, Vice President, Green Giant Brands, and from 1993
to 1994, Team Leader, Green Giant Shelf Stable Vegetables, The Pillsbury
Company, a diversified marketer of packaged food products. Ms. Morfitt has
been a director of Graco since 1995.
Directors whose terms continue until 2003:
George Aristides
Mr. Aristides, 65, is Chief Executive Officer of the Company, a position he
has held since January 3, 2000. Effective May 1, 2001, he will also be
Chairman of the Board. From March 1, 1999 to December 29, 1999 he was Vice
Chairman. From 1997 to February 28, 1999 he was Chief Executive Officer.
From 1996 to 1997 he was President and Chief Executive Officer; from 1993
to 1996, he was President and Chief Operating Officer; from March to June
1993, he was Executive Vice President; and from 1985 to March 1993, he was
Vice President, Manufacturing Operations and Controller. Mr. Aristides has
been a director of Graco since 1993.
Ronald O. Baukol
Mr. Baukol, 63, is Executive Vice President, International Operations,
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company ("3M"), a diversified
manufacturer of industrial, commercial, consumer and health care products.
Mr. Baukol has been a director of Graco since 1989 and is a director of 3M
and The Toro Company.
Robert G. Bohn
Mr. Bohn, 47, is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Oshkosh
Truck Corporation, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a designer, manufacturer and
marketer of a broad range of specialty commercial, fire and emergency
apparatus and military trucks. Mr. Bohn has been a director of Graco since
June 1999.
William J. Carroll
Mr. Carroll, 56, is President-Automotive Systems Group, Dana Corporation,
Toledo, Ohio, which is engaged in the engineering, manufacturing and
distribution of components and systems for worldwide vehicular and
industrial manufacturers. Mr. Carroll has been a director of Graco since
June 1999.
Mr. Jerald Scott, a director since 1997, is retiring from the Board, effective
May 1, 2001.
MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During 2000, the Board of Directors met 5 times. Attendance of the
Company's directors at all Board and Committee meetings averaged 94 percent.
During 2000, each director attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate number
of meetings of the Board and of all committees of the Board on which he or she
served.
The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Governance Committee, and
a Management Organization and Compensation Committee. Membership as of March 5,
2001, the record date, was as follows:
Management
Organization
Audit Governance And Compensation
- ---------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
W. G. Van Dyke, Chair L. R. Mitau, Chair M. A.M. Morfitt, Chair
W. J. Carroll G. Aristides R. G. Bohn
J. K. Gilligan R. O. Baukol W. J. Carroll
M. A.M. Morfitt D. A. Koch L. R. Mitau
M. H. Rauenhorst J. L. Scott
J. L. Scott W. G. Van Dyke
Audit Committee (2 meetings in fiscal 2000)
o Reviews and discusses with the Company's management and independent
auditor the Company's financial reporting and internal controls;
o Recommends and takes action to oversee the independence of the
independent auditor and selects and recommends the independent auditor
to the Board of Directors;
o Reviews and assesses the Audit Committee Charter annually; and
o Reviews the internal audit plan and audit results and evaluates
internal audit performance.
The responsibilities of the Audit Committee are set forth in the Audit
Committee Charter, adopted by the Company's Board of Directors on February
25, 2000, a copy of which is included in Appendix A to this Proxy
Statement.
Governance Committee (2 meetings in fiscal 2000)
o Evaluates policies related to Board membership and procedure;
o Recommends to the Board the persons to serve as Chairman of the Board
and as Chief Executive Officer;
o Reviews and makes recommendations on directors' compensation; and
o Recommends to the Board of Directors nominees for the position of
director.
Management Organization and Compensation Committee (2 meetings in fiscal 2000)
o Develops the Company's philosophy on executive compensation;
o Determines the compensation of the Company's executive officers;
o Reviews and makes recommendations on management organization and
succession plans; and
o Administers the Company's executive stock option and incentive plans.
NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS
Shareholders may nominate candidates for election to the Board of Directors
who will be considered by the Board Governance Committee. Recommendations should
be made in writing and addressed to the Committee in care of the Secretary of
the Company at the Company's corporate headquarters. The By-laws provide that
timely notice must be received by the Secretary not less than 90 days prior to
the anniversary of the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the first
Tuesday in May of each year. The nominations must set forth (i) the name, age,
business and residential addresses and principal occupation or employment of
each nominee proposed in such notice; (ii) the name and address of the
shareholder giving the notice, as it appears in the Company's stock register;
(iii) the number of shares of capital stock of the Company which are
beneficially owned by each such nominee and by such shareholder; and (iv) such
other information concerning each such nominee as would be required under the
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission in a proxy statement soliciting
proxies for the election of such nominee. Such notice must also include a signed
consent of each such nominee to serve as a director of the Company, if elected.
AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT
Report of the Audit Committee
The Audit Committee of the Board is responsible for providing independent,
objective oversight of the Company's accounting functions and internal controls.
In performing its oversight function, the Audit Committee has relied upon advice
and information which it has received in its discussions with the Company's
management and independent auditors.
The Audit Committee is composed of independent directors, and acts under a
written charter adopted and approved by the Board of Directors. The Audit
Committee has reviewed and reassessed the adequacy of its Charter and has
concluded that the Charter satisfactorily states the responsibilities of the
Committee. Each member of the Company's Audit Committee meets the independence
requirements of the New York Stock Exchange.
The Audit Committee has reviewed with the Company's management, internal
audit personnel and the independent auditor issues concerning significant
developments in accounting rules, changes in accounting practices and the
adequacy of the Company's internal accounting controls.
The Audit Committee has reviewed the audited financial statements of the
Company for the fiscal year ended December 29, 2000 with both management and
Deloitte & Touche LLP ("Deloitte"), the Company's independent auditors. The
Committee also discussed with Deloitte the matters required by Statement on
Auditing Standards No. 61, Communication with Audit Committees. Management has
represented to the Audit Committee that the financial statements were prepared
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
The Audit Committee has also received the written disclosure and the letter
required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussion
with Audit Committees) and the Audit Committee has discussed with Deloitte their
independence. The Audit Committee has considered the effect of non-audit fees on
the independence of Deloitte.
Based on these reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to
the Board of Directors that the Company's audited financial statements be
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 29, 2000 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Members of the Committee
Mr. William Van Dyke, Chairman
Mr. William Carroll
Ms. Martha A.M. Morfitt
Mr. Mark Rauenhorst
Mr. Jerald Scott
PRINICPAL ACCOUNTING FIRM FEES
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to Graco Inc. for
the fiscal year ended December 29, 2000, by the Company's principal accounting
firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP.
Financial Information Systems
Audit Fees Design and Implementation Fees All Other Fees
- ---------- ------------------------------ --------------
$251,000 $0 $454,000
[FN]
(1) Includes fees for non-audit services, principally tax consulting, statutory
audit of non-U.S. subsidiaries and other services.
(2) The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of these services
is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant's independence.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Report of the Management Organization and Compensation Committee
Overview
The Management Organization and Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors (hereafter called "the Committee"), composed of six independent
nonemployee directors, is responsible for developing the Company's philosophy on
executive compensation. Consistent with this philosophy, the Committee develops
compensation programs for the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other
executive officers of the Company. On an annual basis, the Committee determines
the compensation to be paid to the Chief Executive Officer and other executive
officers, based on the provisions of the compensation plans.
Compensation plans which provide for grants or awards of Company stock to
executive officers are approved by the Board of Directors and the shareholders
of the Company. In 1993, the Internal Revenue Code ("the Code") was amended to
include a deductibility limit for remuneration to certain executive officers
[Section 162(m) of the Code]. Qualified performance-based compensation is not
subject to this deductibility limit. The Long Term Stock Incentive Plan, which
permits grants of stock options and stock appreciation rights to executive
officers, meets the requirements of Section 162(m) in all respects.
In order to qualify annual incentive awards to the Chief Executive Officer
and other executive officers as performance-based compensation under Section
162(m) of the Code, the Company has an Executive Officer Annual Incentive Bonus
Plan. This Plan meets the requirements of Section 162(m) in all respects.
Executive Compensation Philosophy and Program
It is the Company's philosophy to set its executive compensation structure
at levels which are competitive with those of durable goods manufacturers of
comparable size. These levels are determined by consulting a variety of
independent third-party executive compensation surveys. Executive compensation
is then delivered through:
o base salaries which recognize the experience and performance of
individual executives;
o aggressive, performance-driven incentives which:
- enhance shareholder value,
- balance annual and long-term corporate objectives; and
- provide meaningful amounts of Company stock; and
o competitive benefits.
The specific components of the executive compensation program are described
below.
Base salary ranges are established by the Committee, using the fiftieth
percentile salary and trend data for comparably-sized durable goods
manufacturers, as published in a variety of independent third-party executive
compensation surveys. The actual base salary of each officer, within the range,
is determined by the executive's performance, which is evaluated annually by the
Chief Executive Officer and reviewed and approved by the Committee. Both
financial and management factors are considered in the evaluation.
The Executive Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan (the "Executive Bonus
Plan") was available in 2000 to the Chief Executive Officer and any other
executive officer designated by the Committee. The Committee is authorized to
establish financial growth targets for each participant directly and
specifically tied to one or more financial measures. On or before the 90th day
of the Company's fiscal year, the Committee identifies the participants,
establishes the Targeted Bonus Maximum Percentages for each participant, and
establishes the applicable Financial Measures and the Company Performance
Target(s) for each Financial Measure, as these terms are defined in the
Executive Bonus Plan. At the close of the fiscal year, the Committee certifies
whether or not the Company Performance Target(s) have been attained.
The Annual Bonus Plan covers key managers of the Company and executive
officers who do not participate in the Executive Bonus Plan. The Annual Bonus
Plan, available in 2000 to 9 executive officers and 42 other management
employees, is structured to encourage growth in both sales and net earnings by
the Company. The Plan determines individual awards for executive officers by
measuring Company performance against corporate sales and net earnings growth
targets established by the Committee in the first quarter of each year. Sales
and net earnings targets for 2000 were established to exceed prior year results.
In addition, the Chief Executive Officer has been given the authority to
establish divisional and regional growth targets for the executive officers in
charge of specific divisions and regions. Overall performance for the divisional
and regional executives is measured against both divisional and corporate
targets. Targets are set for minimum, midpoint and maximum payouts under the
plan. In 2000, the Committee established a range of payouts as a percent of base
salary for executive positions as follows:
Minimum Payout Maximum Payout
Position as a % of Base Salary as a % of Base Salary
- -------- --------------------- ---------------------
Chief Executive Officer 0% 90%
President and Chief Operating Officer 0% 80%
Vice President (Board-elected) 0% 70%
Vice President (By appointment) 0% 50%/60%
The actual Annual Bonus Plan award is determined by evaluating corporate,
divisional and regional performance against the established financial
objectives. For 2000, sales results led to an award that was 80.9 percent of the
maximum payout. Corporate net earnings results led to an award that was 93.9
percent of the maximum payout. Awards were made to all executive officers under
the 2000 Annual Bonus Plan, with the exception of the Chief Executive Officer
whose award was made under the Executive Bonus Plan.
Under the Chairman's Award Program, the Chairman granted a total of
$125,000 in individual discretionary awards to recognize significant
contributions by selected executive officers and other management employees. In
2000 Chairman Awards were granted to 11 employees, including an award of $25,000
to Patrick J. McHale.
The Executive Long Term Stock Incentive Program is structured to align the
interests of executive officers with those of all Graco shareholders. The Long
Term Stock Incentive Program for 2000 consisted of stock options granted to the
executive officers. The number of stock options granted to each executive
officer was determined using competitive data for comparably-sized durable goods
manufacturers, as reflected in independent third-party long-term incentive
surveys. These options were non-incentive stock options with a 10-year duration
and a vesting schedule of 25 percent after years one, two, three and four.
Executive officers are eligible to participate in the employee benefit
programs available to all Graco employees.
Compensation of the Chief Executive Officer
On an annual basis, the Committee is responsible for reviewing the
individual performance of the Chief Executive Officer and determining
appropriate adjustments in base pay and award opportunities under the Executive
Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan and the Long Term Stock Incentive Plan.
Awards made to the Chief Executive Officer under the Executive Bonus Plan
are determined by the growth in sales and net earnings of the Company. Sales of
$494.4 million in 2000 represent a growth of 10 percent over 1999. Net earnings
in 2000 of $70.1 million represent an increase of 18 percent over 1999. This
growth in sales and net earnings for 2000 yielded a bonus award to Mr. Aristides
of 81.6 percent of his base salary.
In reviewing Mr. Aristides' 2000 performance, the Committee recognized a
number of significant accomplishments including record sales and net earnings, a
20 percent increase in diluted earnings per share, a successful entry into the
North American home center market, continued emphasis on expense management
while maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction, and continued superior
return to Graco shareholders, particularly in comparison to the Dow Jones
Factory Equipment Index and the S&P 500 Index. Continued focus on investment in
new products, global marketing, and enhanced distribution and manufacturing have
been effective in yielding the eighth consecutive year of improved sales and net
earnings. Based upon this analysis, the Committee increased Mr. Aristides' base
salary from $483,000 to $552,000 effective January 1, 2001. The Executive
Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan payout maximum for Mr. Aristides remained
unchanged.
The Members of the Committee
Ms. Martha A.M. Morfitt, Chair
Mr. Robert Bohn
Mr. William Carroll
Mr. Lee Mitau
Mr. Jerald Scott
Mr. William Van Dyke
Comparative Stock Performance Graph
The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the
common stock of the Company for the last five fiscal years with the cumulative
total return of the S&P 500 Index and of the Dow Jones Factory Equipment Index
over the same period (assuming the value of investment in Graco common stock and
each index was 100 on December 29, 1995, and all dividends were reinvested).
Five Year* Cumulative Total Shareholder Return
[GRAPH - Table below lists data points included in graph]
Dow Jones
Year Graco Inc. S&P 500 Factory Equipment
- ---- ---------- ------- -----------------
1995 100 100 100
1996 125 122 98
1997 182 164 113
1998 203 211 90
1999 283 255 82
2000 332 232 76
*Fiscal Year Ended Last Friday in December
Summary Compensation Table
The following table shows both annual and long-term compensation awarded to
or earned by the Chief Executive Officer and the four most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company whose total annual salary and bonus for 2000
exceeded $100,000.
Long Term Compensation
Annual Compensation Awards
---------------------------------------------------- -----------------------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) (i)
Other Restricted Securities All Other
Annual Stock Underlying Compen-
Name and Salary Bonus Compen- Award(s) Options/ sation
Principal Position Year ($) ($) sation ($) ($) SARs (#) ($)
- ------------------ ---- -------- -------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
George Aristides 2000 $485,123 $395,657 0 0 60,000 $ 0
Chief Executive 1999 406,876 182,001 0 0 60,000 4,800
Officer 1998 432,106 290,233 0 0 60,000 4,800
Dale D. Johnson 2000 280,267 202,989 0 0 30,000 5,100
President and 1999 160,287 76,234 0 0 15,000 4,800
Chief Operating 1998 138,178 80,589 0 0 15,000 4,800
Officer
Charles L. Rescorla 2000 168,211 112,450 0 0 11,250 5,100
Vice President, 1999 150,262 91,141 0 0 11,250 4,800
Manufacturing & 1998 135,295 87,837 0 0 7,500 4,800
Distribution
Operations
Robert M. Mattison 2000 165,414 104,666 0 0 7,500 5,100
Vice President, 1999 150,639 75,281 0 0 7,500 4,800
General Counsel and 1998 146,864 73,908 0 0 7,500 4,800
Secretary
Patrick J. McHale 2000 147,141 119,507 0 0 11,250 5,100
Vice President, 1999 105,360 36,172 0 0 300 3,994
Contractor Equipment 1998 94,583 27,763 0 0 4,500 3,138
Division
(1) Deferred compensation is included in Salary and Bonus in the year earned.
(2) In addition to base salary, the reported figure includes amounts attribut-
able to the imputed value of the group term life insurance benefit for each of
the named executive officers.
(3) Bonus includes any awards under the Executive Officer Annual Incentive Bonus
Plan, the Annual Bonus Plan and the Chairman's Award Program described in the
Management Organization and Compensation Committee Report. Chairman's Awards for
2000 included a $25,000 award to Mr. McHale. Mr. Rescorla received $15,000 for
1999 and $33,000 for 1998, Mr. Mattison received $10,000 for 1999, Mr. Johnson
received $10,000 for 1998 and Mr. McHale received $10,000 for 1999 under the
Chairman's Award Program.
(4) On December 8, 2000, the Board of Directors approved a three-for-two stock
split effective February 6, 2001, for shares outstanding on January 15, 2001.
The number of options, as well as the exercise price, has been restated in this
table and all subsequent tables to reflect the split.
(5) The compensation reported includes the Company contributions under the Graco
Employee Investment Plan (excluding employee contributions). For 2000, the
Company contribution accrued under the Graco Employee Investment Plan for each
named executive officer was as follows: $0 for Mr. Aristides; $5,100 for Mr.
Johnson; $5,100 for Mr. Rescorla, $5,100 for Mr. Mattison and $5,100 for Mr.
McHale. The Company contribution under the Graco Employee Investment Plan is a
dollar for dollar match up to the first 3% of employee contribution.
Option Grants Table (Last Fiscal Year)
The following table shows the stock options granted to the named executive
officers during 2000, their exercise price and their grant date present value.
Individual Grant Grant Date Value
----------------------------------------------- ----------------
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)
Number of % of Total
Securities Options Exercise Grant
Underlying Granted to or Base Date
Options Employees in Price Expiration Present
Name Granted (#) Fiscal Year ($/Sh) Date Value ($)
- ------------------- ----------- ------------ -------- ---------- ----------------
George Aristides 60,000 13.8% $20.46 02/09/10 $558,000
Dale D. Johnson 30,000 6.9% 20.46 02/09/10 279,000
Charles L. Rescorla 11,250 2.6% 20.46 02/24/10 103,950
Robert M. Mattison 7,500 1.7% 20.46 02/24/10 69,300
Patrick J. McHale 11,250 2.6% 20.46 02/24/10 103,950
(1) Non-incentive stock options were granted on February 9, 2000, in the amount
shown on the table. The options were exercisable on the day of the grant.
(2) Non-incentive stock options were granted on February 9, 2000, in the amount
shown on the table. The options may be exercised in equal installments over five
years, beginning with the second anniversary date of the grant.
(3) Non-incentive stock options were granted on February 23, 2000 in the amounts
shown on the table. The options may be exercised in equal installments over four
years, beginning with the first anniversary date of the grant.
(4) The Black-Scholes option pricing model has been used to determine the grant
date present value. Annual volatility was calculated using monthly returns for
36 months prior to the grant date, the interest rate was set using U.S. Treasury
securities of similar duration to the option period as of the grant date; and
dividend yield was established as the yield on the grant date. A 10 percent
discount for nontransferability and a three percent discount to reflect the
possibility of forfeiture over a two-year period were applied. For grants
expiring on February 9, 2010, the assumptions used in the model were annual
volatility of 44.50 percent, interest rate of 6.61 percent, dividend yield of
1.82 percent, and time to exercise of 10 years. For grants expiring on February
24, 2010, the assumptions used in the model were annual volatility of 44.50
percent, interest rate of 6.42 percent, dividend yield of 1.82 percent, and time
to exercise of 10 years.
Aggregated Option Exercises In Last Fiscal Year And Fiscal Year-End Option
Values
The following table shows the value of outstanding in-the-money options at
the end of the fiscal year for the named executive officers.
(a) (b) (c) (d) (e)
Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Options Options
at FY-End (#) at FY-End ($)
Shares Value
Acquired on Realized Exercisable/ Exercisable/
Name Exercise (#) ($) Unexercisable Unexercisable
- ---- ------------ -------- ------------- ----------------
George Aristides 0 $0 377,137/0 $5,158,525/0
Dale D. Johnson 0 0 15,450/59,625 $260,793/548,168
Charles L. Rescorla 0 0 28,200/31,500 $572,105/320,261
Robert M. Mattison 0 0 26,815/26,864 $501,812/286,274
Patrick J. McHale 0 0 6,187/14,925 $120,255/110,900
(1) "Value realized" is the difference between the closing price of the
Company's common stock on the day of exercise and the option price of the
options multiplied by the number of shares received.
(2) "Value at fiscal year-end" is the difference between $27.59, the closing
price of the Company's common stock on December 29, 2000, and the option
price multiplied by the number of shares subject to option.
Change in Control and Termination Arrangements
Each of the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table,
and certain other key executives of the Company, have entered into a change of
control agreement with the Company (singularly "Agreement"; collectively the
"Agreements"). The change of control period is defined to extend for two years
from the date the Agreement is executed. Each year this period is automatically
extended for one year so as to terminate two years from the annual anniversary
date of the Agreement, unless the Company gives the executive notice that the
Company does not wish to extend this period.
A change of control is generally defined in the Agreements to have occurred
if: (i) a person other than a trust person (as defined in the Agreement)
acquires beneficial ownership of 25 percent or more of the Company's outstanding
common stock, except acquisitions directly from the Company, by the Company, by
a Company employee benefit plan, by the executive or a group of which he is a
part, or by a person with beneficial ownership of shares under the Trust Under
the Will of Clarissa L. Gray which equals or exceeds a certain percentage; or
(ii) members of the Incumbent Board (as defined in the Agreement) cease to be in
the majority on the Board; or (iii) the shareholders approve a reorganization,
merger, consolidation or statutory exchange of the Company's outstanding common
stock, or approve a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the
assets of the Company; or (iv) the shareholders approve a complete liquidation
or dissolution of the Company.
Each Agreement provides that for two years after a change of control there
will be no adverse change in the executive's duties and responsibilities,
compensation program, benefits or other circumstances, provided that nothing
will restrict the right of the executive or the Company to terminate the
employment of the executive. If the executive's employment is terminated by the
Company for any reason other than for good cause, death, or disability, or by
the executive for "good reason" (as defined in the Agreement), within two years
following a change of control, the executive will be entitled to certain
benefits. These benefits include a sum equivalent to the executive's base salary
to the date of termination (to the extent not yet paid), a bonus calculated
according to a formula (set forth in the Agreement) for the year in which the
termination occurs, two times the executive's annual base salary, two times the
midpoint between the maximum and minimum bonus for the fiscal year in which the
termination occurs, and benefit coverage for a minimum of two years following
the date of termination.
The payments to which the employee is entitled are subject to reduction in
the event the payments would constitute a parachute payment within the meaning
of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1989, as amended, (the "Code")
or any successor provision, provided that the reduction does not exceed $25,000.
If the reduction would exceed $25,000, there will be no reduction and the
Company will make an additional payment to the executive in an amount that will
put the executive in the same after-tax position as if no excise tax under the
Code had been imposed.
It is the practice of the Company to continue to provide base salary to
selected executive officers whose employment is involuntarily terminated by the
Company for a period of twelve months or until the officer secures other
employment.
Retirement Arrangements
The Company has an employee retirement plan which provides pension benefits
for eligible regular, full- and part-time employees. Benefits under the Graco
Employee Retirement Plan ("Retirement Plan") consist of a fixed benefit which is
designed to provide retirement income at age 65 of 43.5 percent of average
monthly compensation, less 18 percent of Social Security-covered compensation
(calculated in a life annuity option) for an employee with 30 years of service.
Average monthly compensation is defined as the average of the five consecutive
highest years' salary during the last ten years of service, including base
salary, Executive Officer Annual Incentive Bonus Plan awards, and Annual Bonus
Plan awards, but excluding Executive Long Term Incentive Program awards, divided
by sixty. Benefits under the Retirement Plan vest upon five years of benefit
service.
Federal tax laws limit the annual benefits that may be paid from a
tax-qualified plan such as the Retirement Plan. The Company has adopted an
unfunded plan to provide benefits to retired executive officers impacted by the
benefit limits, so that they will receive, in the aggregate, the benefits the
executive would have been entitled to receive under the Retirement Plan had the
limits imposed by the tax laws not been in effect. The maximum annual pension
payable to or on behalf of the executive under the unfunded plan will be equal
to the difference between $170,000 and the benefits actually payable under the
Retirement Plan when the limits imposed by the tax laws are applied.
The following table shows the estimated aggregate annual benefits payable
under the Graco Employee Retirement Plan and the unfunded plan for the earnings
and years of service specified. The years of benefit service for the Chief
Executive Officer and the executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation
Table are: Mr. Aristides, 27 years; Mr. Johnson, 25 years; Mr. Rescorla, 12
years; Mr. Mattison, 9 years; and Mr. McHale, 11 years. A maximum of 30 years
had previously been counted in the pension benefit calculation. For 1998 and
subsequent years, the 30 year maximum has been eliminated.
Estimated Aggregate Annual Retirement Benefit
---------------------------------------------
Final Average 5 Years 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years 25 Years 30 Years 35 Years 40 Years 45 Years
Compensation Service Service Service Service Service Service Service Service Service
- ------------ ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
$200,000 $13,508 $ 27,016 $ 40,525 $ 54,033 $ 67,541 $ 81,049 $ 94,557 $108,066 $121,574
300,000 20,758 41,516 62,275 83,033 103,791 124,549 145,307 166,066 170,000
400,000 28,008 56,016 84,025 112,033 140,041 168,049 170,000 170,000 170,000
500,000 35,258 70,516 105,775 141,033 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000
600,000 42,508 85,016 127,525 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000
700,000 49,758 99,516 149,275 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000
800,000 57,008 114,016 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000 170,000
Prior to December 31, 1996, the Company entered into deferred compensation
agreements with selected executive officers, including certain named executives
in the Summary Compensation Table. These agreements provide for the payment per
year of $10,000 in deferred compensation to the officer for ten years after
retirement, or to a beneficiary in the event of death prior to the expiration of
the ten year period. These agreements also include provisions for
non-competition and the payment of $5,000 per year in the event the officer
becomes disabled prior to age 65. The $5,000 per year disability payments cease
upon the attainment of age 65. Deferred compensation agreements remain in effect
for Mr. Mattison and Mr. Aristides.
Directors' Fees
During 2000, the Company paid each director, except directors who also
served as officers, an annual retainer of $15,000, plus a meeting fee of $900
for each Board meeting and $700 for each committee meeting attended. On February
23, 2001, the Board approved an increase in the annual retainer to $20,000 per
year and the meeting fee to $1,000 for each Board meeting and committee meeting.
The Board also terminated the retirement benefit for nonemployee directors,
which provided that upon cessation of service, nonemployee directors who have
served for five full years will receive quarterly payments for five years at a
rate equal to the director's annual retainer in effect on the director's last
day of service on the Board. Retirement payments will be made in accordance with
the retirement benefit to Mr. Baukol, Mr. Mitau, Ms. Morfitt, Mr. Scott and Mr.
Van Dyke upon their respective retirements.
In 1994, shareholders approved a Nonemployee Director Stock Plan. Under
this Plan, a nonemployee director may elect to receive all or part of the
director's annual retainer in the form of shares of the Company's common stock
instead of cash. In September 1997, the Plan was amended to create a deferred
stock account alternative for the deferral of the annual retainer. This
alternative provides for the crediting of shares of common stock to a deferred
stock account held by a trustee in the name of the nonemployee director.
Dividends paid on the common stock, held in the deferred accounts, will be
credited to the accounts at the time of payment. In June 1999, the Plan was
amended to allow nonemployee directors to defer all or part of the meeting fees
as well as the annual retainer. Participating directors may elect to receive
payment from their deferred stock account in a lump sum or installments.
Payments, whether in a lump sum or by installments, shall be made in shares of
common stock, plus cash in lieu of any fractional share. Seven directors have
elected to defer all or part of their annual retainer and/or meeting fees into
the deferred stock accounts established under this Plan.
In 1996, shareholders approved a Nonemployee Director Stock Option Plan.
Under this Plan, nonemployee directors receive an initial option grant of 3,000
shares upon first appointment or election and an annual option grant of 2,500
shares on the date of the Company's Annual Shareholders Meeting. In February
2001, the Board amended this Plan to fix the initial option and annual option
grants at 3,000 and 2,500 shares respectively and eliminate adjustment of such
amounts in the event of a stock dividend or stock split. Options granted under
the Plan are non-statutory, have a ten-year duration and may be exercised in
equal installments over four years, beginning with the first anniversary date of
the grant. The option exercise price is the fair market value on the date of
grant.
Certain Business Relationships
Mr. Mitau, who has been a director of Graco since 1990, is Executive Vice
President and General Counsel of U.S. Bancorp, a bank holding company. U.S. Bank
National Association is the lead bank in a syndicate of ten banks with which the
Company entered into a five-year $190,000,000 reducing revolving credit
facility. The July 2, 1998 repurchase of 5,800,000 shares of the Company's
common stock from the Company's largest shareholder, the Trust under the Will of
Clarissa L. Gray, was financed in part by an initial borrowing of $158,000,000
under this credit facility, $3,000,000 of which remained outstanding as of March
5, 2001. For further information see footnote F to the Company's financial
statements in its Annual Report to shareholders for fiscal year 2000.
BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF SHARES
The following information, furnished as of March 5, 2001, indicates
beneficial ownership of the common shares of the Company by each director, each
nominee for election as director, the executive officers listed in the Summary
Compensation Table who are still executive officers on that date, and by all
directors and executive officers as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the
persons listed have sole voting and investment power.
Percent of
Amount and Nature of Common Stock
Name of Beneficial Owner Beneficial Ownership Outstanding*
- ------------------------ -------------------- ------------
G. Aristides 397,086 1.3%
R. O. Baukol 20,478
R. G. Bohn 1,969
W. J. Carroll 3,331
J. K. Gilligan 0
D. D. Johnson 29,414
D. A. Koch 2,221,467 7.2%
R. M. Mattison 57,204
P. J. McHale 12,490
L. R. Mitau 18,629
M. A.M. Morfitt 14,205
M. H. Rauenhorst 1,669
C. L. Rescorla 56,219
J. L. Scott 11,027
W. G. Van Dyke 16,981
All directors and
executive officers as a
group (21 persons) 3,045,868 9.9%
* Less than one 1 percent, if no percentage is given.
(1) All share data reflects the three-for-two stock split effective February 6,
2001.
(2) Includes 640,420 shares with respect to which executive officers have a
right, as of May 1, 2001, to acquire beneficial ownership upon the exercise of
vested stock options.
(3) Includes the following shares owned by spouses of directors and named
executive officers as to which the director or executive officer may be deemed
to share voting and investment power: Mr. Koch, 63,736 shares and Mr. Aristides,
69,597 shares.
(4) Excludes the following shares as to which beneficial ownership is
disclaimed: (i) 528,433 shares owned by the Graco Employee Retirement Plan, as
to which Messrs. Aristides, Koch, Bohn, Johnson and Rescorla and certain
executive officers of the Company share voting and investment power as members
of the Company's Investment Committee; (ii) 13,047 shares held by The Graco
Foundation as to which Messrs. Koch, Mattison and Rescorla share voting and
investment powers as directors; and (iii) 134,800 shares held by the Greycoach
Foundation as to which Mr. Koch shares voting and investment power as a
director.
(5) Includes 1,490,463 shares held by the Clarissa L. Gray Trust, of which Mr.
Koch's wife, Barbara Gray Koch, and their children are the beneficiaries and as
to which Mr. Koch shares voting and investment power as trustee. See "Principal
Shareholders."
(6) If the shares referred to in footnote 4 above, as to which one or more
directors and designated executive officers share voting power, were included,
the number of shares beneficially owned by all directors, nominees for election
as director and executive officers would be 3,722,148 shares, or 12.1 percent of
the outstanding shares.
Principal Shareholders
The following table identifies each person or group known to the Company to
beneficially own as of March 5, 2001, more than 5 percent of the outstanding
common shares of the Company, the only class of security entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting.
Beneficial Percent
Ownership of Class
---------------- --------
David A. Koch 2,221,461 shares 7.2%
Ariel Capital Management, Inc. 4,537,155 shares 14.96%
[FN]
(1) Includes 1,490,463 shares owned by the Trust under the will of Clarissa L.
Gray. Mr. Koch is one of the trustees of the Trust and the beneficiaries of
the Trust are Mrs. Koch and their children. The other trustees are Paul M.
Torgerson, Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer at
Fairview Health Services, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and US Bank Trust
National Association S.D., Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The Trustees share
voting and dispositive power. Includes 686,264 shares owned by David A.
Koch or Mrs. Koch. Includes 44,740 shares with respect to which Mr. Koch
has a right, as of May 1, 2001, to acquire beneficial ownership upon the
exercise of vested stock options.
(2) Excludes the following shares as to which beneficial ownership is
disclaimed: (i) 528,433 shares owned by the Graco Employee Retirement Plan,
as to which Messrs. Aristides, Koch, Bohn, Johnson and Rescorla and certain
executive officers of the Company share voting and investment power as
members of the Company's Investment Committee; (ii) 13,047 shares held by
The Graco Foundation as to which Messrs. Koch, Mattison and Rescorla share
voting and investment powers as directors; and (iii) 134,800 shares held by
the Greycoach Foundation as to which Mr. Koch shares voting and investment
power as a director.
(3) Based on information included in a Schedule 13G filed on February 12, 2001.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
The Company's executive officers, directors and 10 percent shareholders are
required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and regulations promulgated
thereunder to file initial reports of ownership of the Company's securities and
reports of changes in that ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Copies of these reports must also be provided to the Company.
Based upon its review of the reports and any amendments made thereto
furnished to the Company, or written representations that no reports were
required, the Company believes that all reports were filed on a timely basis by
reporting persons during and with respect to 2000, except for two inadvertent
late filings by George Aristides, who purchased 6,144 shares in January 2000,
sold 5,553 shares in April 2000 and whose spouse sold 13,512 shares in April
2000.
PROPOSAL 2
PROPOSAL TO ADOPT GRACO INC. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
The Board of Directors adopted the Graco Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Stock Incentive Plan") at its regular meeting on February 23, 2001, subject to
the approval of the shareholders of the Company. Accordingly, the shareholders
will be asked to approve the Stock Incentive Plan at the Annual Meeting. The
Stock Incentive Plan would become effective upon approval by the shareholders.
The Board believes that the success of the Company depends in large measure
on its ability to attract and retain highly qualified officers, employees and
non-employee directors who are motivated to put forth maximum effort on behalf
of the Company and its shareholders. The Company currently provides for the
award of stock options to non-employee directors through its Non-Employee
Directors Stock Option Plan and the award of stock options and restricted stock
to officers and key employees of the Company through its Long-term Stock
Incentive Plan. The Board has reviewed these current arrangements for stock
awards and has determined that a program that permits the award of a wider
variety of stock-based compensation to officers, employees and non-employee
directors will promote the long-term financial success of the Company.
Compensation based upon the Company's common stock encourages these persons to
align their interests with that of shareholders generally. The Board recommends
that the Stock Incentive Plan be approved.
After the date of shareholder approval of the Stock Incentive Plan by the
shareholders, no further awards will be granted under the Company's Long-term
Stock Incentive Plan or the Company's Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan.
However, all awards outstanding under either of these two plans prior to or on
the date of shareholder approval of the Stock Incentive Plan will remain
outstanding in accordance with the terms of those plans. The Company's Employee
Stock Incentive Plan will remain in effect, and awards will continue to be
granted under that plan.
The terms of the Stock Incentive Plan are summarized below and the full
text of the Plan is set forth as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement. The Stock
Incentive Plan has been designed to meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), regarding the
deductibility of executive compensation. In addition, it is intended that the
Plan qualify as an incentive stock option plan meeting the requirements of
Section 422 of the Code.
KEY FEATURES OF THE PLAN
Shares/Stock
o Graco Inc. common stock (par value $1.00).
Eligibility
o Any employee, officer or non-employee director of the Company or any
affiliate.
Awards
o Any option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock, restricted
stock unit, performance award, dividend equivalent or other
stock-based award.
Term of the Plan
o Ten years, unless earlier terminated by the Board of Directors.
Option Exercise Price
o Not less than 100 percent of the fair market value of a share on the
date of grant.
o Fair market value is the last sale price of Graco common stock as
reported by the New York Stock Exchange on the business day
immediately preceding the date upon which fair market value is being
determined.
Number of Shares Authorized Under the Plan
o 1,500,000
SUMMARY OF THE PLAN
All employees, officers and non-employee directors of the Company and its
affiliates will be eligible to receive awards under the Plan at the discretion
of the Board of Directors or its designated committee.
Upon approval of the Plan by the shareholders, the Board of Directors will
designate a committee to administer and make awards under the Plan. This
committee will be composed solely of non-employee directors within the meaning
of Rule 16b-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and
outside directors within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Plan
will be administered in accordance with the requirements for the award of
"qualified performance-based compensation" under Section 162(m) of the Code.
The committee designated by the Board of Directors shall have the power to
designate persons eligible for awards under the Plan, interpret and administer
the Plan and any award agreement, establish rules as deemed appropriate for the
administration of the Plan and, subject to the provisions of the Plan and to
applicable law, determine:
o The type of award and number of shares covered by each award
o The terms and conditions of any award or award agreement
o The terms of exercise of any award
The committee may also amend or waive the terms and conditions of an
outstanding award, but may not adjust or amend the exercise price of any
outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right [except in the case of a
stock split or other recapitalization pursuant to Section 4(c) of the Plan].
The aggregate number of shares of common stock that may be issued under all
awards made under the Plan will be 1,500,000, with a maximum of 1,500,000 shares
available for issuance as awards of restricted stock and restricted stock units.
The committee may adjust the number of shares in the case of a stock split or
other recapitalization pursuant to Section 4(c) of the Plan. Shares covered by
an award which are forfeited or not purchased will be available under the Plan
again for granting awards. In the event that the committee determines that a
dividend or other distribution, including a stock split, merger or other similar
corporate transaction or event, affects the common stock of the Company such
that an adjustment is deemed to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or
enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended under the Plan, the
committee may make such adjustments as it deems equitable. No person eligible
for awards under the Plan may be granted stock options and any other award, the
value of which is based solely on an increase in the price of the Company's
common stock, relating to more than 200,000 shares in the aggregate in any
calendar year. The number and types of awards that will be granted under the
Plan are not determinable, as the committee will make such determinations in its
sole discretion. The market price per share of the Company's common stock as of
March 5, 2001 was $26.90.
Under the Plan the committee may award options, including reload options,
stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance
awards, dividend equivalents and other stock-based awards, and any combination
of these. The provisions of the Plan governing these awards are contained in the
Plan, attached hereto as Appendix B. Generally, the consideration to be received
by the Company for awards under the Plan will be the eligible persons' past,
present or expected future contributions to the Company. The Plan provides that
all awards are to be evidenced by written agreements containing the terms and
conditions of the awards.
Transfer of awards may not be made other than by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution. During the lifetime of a participant, an award may be
exercised only by the participant to whom the award is granted
Subject to the provisions of the Plan or an award agreement, the committee
may not amend any outstanding award agreement without the participant's consent,
if the action would adversely affect the participant's rights. The committee may
assist a participant in satisfying the participant's tax withholding obligations
by allowing the participant to elect to have the Company withhold shares which
would otherwise be delivered upon exercise or receipt of the award or by
delivering to the Company shares already owned with a value equal to the amount
of the taxes.
The Plan will become effective as of the date of shareholder approval and
will be in effect for ten (10) years from that date, unless earlier terminated
in accordance with the provisions of the Plan. The Board of Directors may amend
or terminate the Plan, at any time, except that prior shareholder approval will
be required for any amendment to the Plan that:
o Requires shareholder approval under the rules or regulations of the
New York Stock Exchange, any other securities exchange or the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. that are applicable to the
Company,
o Permits repricing of outstanding stock options or stock appreciation
rights granted under the Plan [except in the case of a stock split or
other recapitalization pursuant to Section 4(c) of the Plan],
o Increases the number of shares authorized under the Plan [except in
the case of a stock split or other recapitalization pursuant to
Section 4(c) of the Plan],
o Permits the award of stock options or stock appreciation rights under
the Plan with an exercise price less than 100% of the fair market
value of share of common stock as defined in the Plan, or
o Without shareholder approval, would cause the Company to be unable,
under the Code, to grant incentive stock options under the Plan.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
The following is a summary of the principal federal income tax consequences
generally applicable to awards under the Plan.
Option or Stock Appreciation Right
- ----------------------------------
Grant
- -----
The grant of an option or stock appreciation right is not expected to
result in any taxable income for the recipient.
Exercise
- --------
Incentive Stock Option
The holder of an incentive stock option generally will have no taxable
income upon exercising the option (except that a liability may arise
pursuant to the alternative minimum tax), and the Company will not be
entitled to a tax deduction.
Nonqualified Stock Option
Upon exercising a nonqualified stock option, the optionee must recognize
ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares
of common stock acquired on the date of exercise over the exercise price,
and the Company will be entitled at that time to a tax deduction for the
same amount.
Stock Appreciation Right
Upon exercising a stock appreciation right, the amount of any cash received
and the fair market value on the exercise date of any shares of common
stock received are taxable to the recipient as ordinary income and
deductible by the Company.
Disposition
- -----------
The tax consequence to a holder of an option upon a disposition of shares
acquired through the exercise of an option will depend on how long the shares
have been held and upon whether such shares were acquired by exercising an
incentive stock option or by exercising a nonqualified stock option or stock
appreciation right. Generally, there will be no tax consequence to the Company
in connection with the disposition of shares acquired under an option, except
that the Company may be entitled to a tax deduction in the case of the
disposition of shares acquired under an incentive stock option before the
applicable incentive stock option holding periods set forth in the Code have
been satisfied.
Awards Other Than Options or Stock Appreciation Rights
- ------------------------------------------------------
With respect to other awards granted under the Plan that are payable either
in cash or shares of common stock that are either transferable or not subject to
substantial risk of forfeiture, the holder of such an award must recognize
ordinary income equal to the excess of (a) the cash or the fair market value of
the shares of common stock received (determined as of the date of such receipt)
over (b) the amount (if any) paid for such shares of common stock by the holder
of the award, and the Company will be entitled at that time to a deduction for
the same amount.
With respect to an award that is payable in shares of common stock that are
restricted as to transferability and subject to substantial risk of forfeiture,
unless a special election is made pursuant to the Code, the holder of the award
must recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of (i) the fair market value
of the shares of common stock received (determined as of the first time the
shares become transferable or not subject to substantial risk of forfeiture,
whichever occurs earlier) over (ii) the amount (if any) paid for such shares of
common stock by the holder, and the Company will be entitled at that time to a
tax deduction for the same amount.
Application of Section 16 of the Exchange Act
- ---------------------------------------------
Special rules may apply in the case of individuals subject to Section 16 of
the Exchange Act. In particular, unless a special election is made pursuant to
the Code, shares received pursuant to the exercise of a stock option or SAR may
be treated as restricted as to transferability and subject to a substantial risk
of forfeiture for a period of up to six months after the date of exercise.
Accordingly, the amount of any ordinary income recognized, and the amount of the
Company's tax deduction, are determined as of the end of such period.
Delivery of Shares to Satisfy Tax Obligation
- --------------------------------------------
Under the Plan, the committee may permit participants receiving or
exercising awards, subject to the discretion of the committee and upon such
terms and conditions as it may impose, to deliver shares of common stock (either
shares received upon the receipt or exercise of the award or shares previously
owned by the holder of the option) to the Company to satisfy federal and state
tax obligations.
SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL OF PLAN
The Board of Directors recommends that shareholders vote FOR approval of
the Graco Inc. Stock Incentive Plan. Proxies solicited by the Board of Directors
will be voted FOR the approval of the Plan, unless shareholders specify a
contrary choice in their proxy.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote at the 2001 Annual Meeting is required
for approval of the Graco Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.
PROPOSAL 3
PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC AUDITORS
Deloitte & Touche LLP has acted as independent auditors for the Company
since 1962. The Board of Directors recommends ratification of the selection of
Deloitte & Touche LLP as independent auditors for the current year. If the
shareholders do not ratify the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP, the selection
of the independent auditors will be reconsidered by the Board of Directors. A
representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP will be present at the meeting and will
have the opportunity to make a statement if so desired and be available to
respond to any shareholder questions.
OTHER MATTERS
The Board of Directors is not aware of any matter, other than those stated
above, which will or may properly be presented for action at the meeting. If any
other matters properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the
persons named in the enclosed form of proxy to vote the shares represented by
such proxies in accordance with their best judgment.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
The Company did not receive a request from any shareholder that a matter be
submitted to a vote at the 2001 Annual Meeting. Any shareholder wishing to have
a matter considered for inclusion in the proxy statement for the Annual Meeting
in the year 2002 must submit such proposal in writing to the Secretary of the
Company at the address shown on page 1 of this statement no later than December
3, 2001.
The persons named as proxies intend to exercise their discretionary
authority to vote as they deem in the best interests of the Company on any
shareholder proposal submitted at the Annual Meeting in year 2002, if the
Company has not received advance written notice of the matter from the proponent
by February 1, 2002.
YOU ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTED TO EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE. YOU MAY DO
SO BY CALLING OUR TOLL-FREE TELEPHONE VOTE NUMBER (1-800-240-6326) AND FOLLOWING
THE VOICE INSTRUCTIONS OR BY FILLING IN AND SIGNING THE ENCLOSED PROXY CARD AND
RETURNING IT IN THE ENVELOPE ENCLOSED FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. In the event that
you attend the meeting, you may revoke your proxy (either given by telephone or
by mail) and vote your shares in person if you wish.
For the Board of Directors
/s/Robert M. Mattison
Robert M. Mattison
Secretary
Dated: March 29, 2001
NOTE: Vote by telephone - call 1-800-240-6326.
(C)2001 Graco Inc. 3/01 6.5M Printed in U.S.A.
Appendix A
GRACO INC
AUDIT COMMITTEE
CHARTER
STRUCTURE
The Audit Committee shall have at least three members, and shall consist solely
of "independent" directors, all of whom shall be "financially literate" and one
of whom shall have accounting or related financial management expertise. The
committee shall hold at least 2 meetings during each calendar year, and
additional meetings as necessary to perform its functions.
An independent director shall be a director who: (i) is not, and has not been
for the last three years, an employee or officer of the Company, or any of its
affiliates; (ii) is not a partner, controlling shareholder or executive officer
of an organization that has a direct business relationship with the Company or
any of its affiliates unless the Board determines, in the good faith exercise of
its business judgement, that such relationship does not interfere with the
director's exercise of independent judgment; (iii) is not an immediate family
member of anyone who has been an officer of the Company or any of its affiliates
in the last three years; or (iv) is not employed as an executive of a
corporation which has any of the Company's executives on its compensation
committee.
"Financially literate" means that the director, in the good faith business
judgment of the Board, is able to read and understand fundamental financial
statements, including a balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement.
The Board may reasonably infer this ability by the employment positions held by
the director at other companies. The Board shall also determine, in its good
faith business judgment, that one member of the Audit committee has accounting
or related financial management expertise. The Board may infer that the director
has such expertise by the employment positions held by the director at other
companies, the director possessing the requisite professional certification, or
the educational background of the director.
PURPOSE
The Audit Committee shall perform the following functions:
1. Have the ultimate authority and responsibility to evaluate the independent
auditor, and recommend annually to the Board of Directors the selection of
independent auditor;
2. Assure that the independent auditor submits to the Committee on a periodic
basis a formal written statement delineating all relationships between the
independent auditor and the Company, actively engage the independent
auditor in a dialogue with respect to any such relationships or services
that may impact the objectivity and independence of the independent
auditor, and recommend to the Board any appropriate action in response to
the independent auditor's report to satisfy itself of the auditor's
independence.
3. Assure that the independent auditor, and the head of the internal audit
function, are ultimately accountable to the Audit Committee and the Board;
4. Review the independent auditor's objectives and scope for the audit of the
Company's financial statements;
5. Review and discuss the audited financial statements with management and the
independent auditors.
6. Recommend to the Board of Directors whether the audited financial
statements should be included in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K.
7. Review the independent auditor's year-end audit and opinion;
8. Approve, in advance, the scope and fee arrangement of all examinations of
the Company's financial statements by the independent auditors;
9. Review all significant changes in accounting principles and their impact on
the Company;
10. Review the comments and recommendations of the independent auditors and
management's responses thereto;
11. Review the composition, responsibilities, authority, plans, activities, and
significant comments and recommendations of the internal audit department,
and management's responses thereto;
12. Review any significant changes to the Company's internal controls with
management;
13. Review the results of the annual internal audit of officer expense reports,
and a summary of officer perquisites;
14. Review the status of the Company's tax returns and tax audits worldwide;
15. Review the Company's policies and practices to prevent unethical or illegal
activities;
16. Review all material threatened or pending actions, investigations,
proceedings or litigation involving the Company;
17. Hold semi-annual sessions (without management presence) with the
independent auditor and the head of the internal audit function;
18. Approve all proposed personnel actions (except compensation) pertaining to
the head of the internal audit function;
19. Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter, and recommend any changes
to the Board of Directors, on an annual basis.
20. Submit a report for the Company's annual proxy statement containing the
information required therein by applicable SEC or other regulations.
Appendix B
GRACO INC.
STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
Section 1. Purpose; Effect on Prior Plans.
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(a) Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of the
Company and its shareholders by aiding the Company in attracting and retaining
employees, officers and non-employee Directors capable of assuring the future
success of the Company, to offer such persons incentives to put forth maximum
efforts for the success of the Company's business and to provide such persons
with opportunities for stock ownership in the Company, thereby aligning the
interests of such persons with the Company's shareholders.
(b) Effect on Prior Plans. After the date of shareholder approval of this
Plan, no awards shall be granted under the Company's Long-Term Stock Incentive
Plan or the Company's Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan, but all
outstanding awards granted under either of those two plans prior to or on the
date of shareholder approval of this Plan shall remain outstanding in accordance
with the terms thereof. The Company's Employee Stock Incentive Plan shall remain
in effect, and awards will continue to be granted under that plan.
Section 2. Definitions.
- -----------------------
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth
below:
(a) "Affiliate" shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and (ii) any
entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each case as
determined by the Committee.
(b) "Award" shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted
Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent or Other
Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.
(c) "Award Agreement" shall mean any written agreement, contract or other
instrument or document evidencing an Award granted under the Plan. Each Award
Agreement shall be subject to the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan
and any other terms and conditions (not inconsistent with the Plan) determined
by the Committee.
(d) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
(e) "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from
time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(f) "Committee" shall mean a committee of Directors designated by the Board
to administer the Plan. The Committee shall be comprised of not less than such
number of Directors as shall be required to permit Awards granted under the Plan
to qualify under Rule 16b-3, and each member of the Committee shall be a
"Non-Employee Director" within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and an "outside
director" within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Company expects
to have the Plan administered in accordance with requirements for the award of
"qualified performance-based compensation" within the meaning of Section 162(m)
of the Code.
(g) "Company" shall mean Graco Inc., a Minnesota corporation, and any
successor corporation.
(h) "Director" shall mean a member of the Board.
(i) "Dividend Equivalent" shall mean any right granted under Section 6(e)
of the Plan.
(j) "Eligible Person" shall mean any employee, officer, consultant,
independent contractor or non-employee Director providing services to the
Company or any Affiliate whom the Committee determines to be an Eligible Person.
(k) "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.
(l) "Fair Market Value" shall mean, with respect to any property
(including, without limitation, any Shares or other securities), the fair market
value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be
established from time to time by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Shares
for purposes of the Plan shall be the last sale price of the Shares as reported
on the composite tape by the New York Stock Exchange on the date immediately
preceding the date as of which fair market value is being determined or, if
there were no sales of Shares reported on the composite tape on such date, on
the most recent preceding date on which there were sales.
(m) "Incentive Stock Option" shall mean an option granted under Section
6(a) of the Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the
Code or any successor provision.
(n) "Non-Qualified Stock Option" shall mean an option granted under Section
6(a) of the Plan that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
(o) "Option" shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock
Option, and shall include Reload Options.
(p) "Other Stock-Based Award" shall mean any right granted under Section
6(f) of the Plan.
(q) "Participant" shall mean an Eligible Person designated to be granted an
Award under the Plan.
(r) "Performance Award" shall mean any right granted under Section 6(d) of
the Plan.
(s) "Person" shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership,
association or trust.
(t) "Plan" shall mean this Graco Inc. Stock Incentive Plan, as amended from
time to time.
(u) "Reload Option" shall mean any Option granted under Section 6(a)(iv) of
the Plan.
(v) "Restricted Stock" shall mean any Share granted under Section 6(c) of
the Plan.
(w) "Restricted Stock Unit" shall mean any unit granted under Section 6(c)
of the Plan evidencing the right to receive a Share (or a cash payment equal to
the Fair Market Value of a Share) at some future date.
(x) "Rule 16b-3" shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act or any successor rule or regulation.
(y) "Shares" shall mean shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share,
of the Company or such other securities or property as may become subject to
Awards pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 4(c) of the Plan.
(z) "Stock Appreciation Right" shall mean any right granted under Section
6(b) of the Plan.
Section 3. Administration.
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(a) Power and Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by
the Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and to applicable
law, the Committee shall have full power and authoriy to: (i) designate
Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each
Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered
by (or the method by which payments or other rights are to be calculated in
connection with) each Award; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any
Award or Award Agreement; (v) amend the terms and conditions of any Award or
Award Agreement, provided, however, that except as otherwise provided in Section
4(c) hereof, the Committee shall not adjust or amend the exercise price of
Options or Stock Appreciation Rights previously awarded to any Participant,
whether through amendment, cancellation and replacement grant, or any other
means; (vi) accelerate the exercisability of any Award or the lapse of
restrictions relating to any Award; (vii) determine whether, to what extent and
under what circumstances Awards may be exercised in cash, Shares, promissory
notes, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited
or suspended; (viii) determine whether, to what extent and under what
circumstances cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards,
other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan
shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof
or the Committee; (ix) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or
agreement, including an Award Agreement, relating to the Plan; (x) establish,
amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it
shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (xi) make
any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems
necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. Unless otherwise
expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations,
interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any
Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any
time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon any Participant, any holder
or beneficiary of any Award and any employee of the Company or any Affiliate.
(b) Power and Authority of the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein, the Board may, at any time and from time to
time, without any further action of the Committee, exercise the powers and
duties of the Committee under the Plan.
Section 4. Shares Available for Awards.
- ---------------------------------------
(a) Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c) of
the Plan, the aggregate number of Shares which may be issued under all Awards
under the Plan shall be 1,500,000; provided, however, that a maximum of
1,500,000 Shares shall be available for issuance pursuant to Awards of
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Shares to be issued under the Plan
will be authorized but unissued Shares. If any Shares covered by an Award or to
which an Award relates are not purchased or are forfeited, or if an Award
otherwise terminates without delivery of any Shares, then the number of Shares
counted against the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan with
respect to such Award, to the extent of any such forfeiture or termination,
shall again be available for granting Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the number of Shares available for granting Incentive Stock Options
under the Plan shall not exceed 1,500,000, subject to adjustment as provided in
the Plan and subject to the provisions of Section 422 or 424 of the Code or any
successor provision.
(b) Accounting for Awards. For purposes of this Section 4, if an Award
entitles the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares, the number of Shares
covered by such Award or to which such Award relates shall be counted on the
date of grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available for
granting Awards under the Plan.
(c) Adjustments. In the event that the Committee shall determine that any
dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other
securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock
split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of
warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company
or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an
adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be
made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it
may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Shares (or
other securities or other property) that thereafter may be made the subject of
Awards, (ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other
property) subject to outstanding Awards and (iii) the purchase or exercise price
with respect to any Award; provided, however, that the number of Shares covered
by any Award or to which such Award relates shall always be a whole number.
(d) Award Limitations Under the Plan. No Eligible Person may be granted any
Award or Awards under the Plan, the value of which Award or Awards is based
solely on an increase in the value of the Shares after the date of grant of such
Award or Awards, for more than 200,000 Shares (subject to adjustment as provided
in Section 4(c) of the Plan) in the aggregate in any calendar year. The
foregoing annual limitation specifically includes the grant of any Award or
Awards representing "qualified performance-based compensation" within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Section 5. Eligibility.
- -----------------------
Any Eligible Person shall be eligible to be designated a Participant. In
determining which Eligible Persons shall receive an Award and the terms of any
Award, the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered
by the respective Eligible Persons, their present and potential contributions to
the success of the Company or such other factors as the Committee, in its
discretion, shall deem relevant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive
Stock Option may only be granted to full-time or part-time employees (which term
as used herein includes, without limitation, officers and Directors who are also
employees), and an Incentive Stock Option shall not be granted to an employee of
an Affiliate unless such Affiliate is also a "subsidiary corporation" of the
Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code or any successor
provision.
Section 6. Awards.
- ------------------
(a) Options. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Options to
Eligible Persons with the following terms and conditions and with such
additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan
as the Committee shall determine:
(i) Exercise Price. The purchase price per Share purchasable under
an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that such
purchase price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share
on the date of grant of such Option.
(ii) Option Term. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the
Committee.
(iii) Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the
time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part and the
method or methods by which, and the form or forms (including, without
limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or
other property, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the
exercise date equal to the applicable exercise price) in which, payment of the
exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made.
(iv) Reload Options. The Committee may grant Reload Options,
separately or together with another Option, pursuant to which, subject to the
terms and conditions established by the Committee, the Participant would be
granted a new Option when the payment of the exercise price of a previously
granted option is made by the delivery of Shares owned by the Participant
pursuant to Section 6(a)(iii) hereof or the relevant provisions of another plan
of the Company, and/or when Shares are tendered or withheld as payment of the
amount to be withheld under applicable income tax laws in connection with the
exercise of an Option, which new Option would be an Option to purchase the
number of Shares not exceeding the sum of (A) the number of Shares so provided
as consideration upon the exercise of the previously granted option to which
such Reload Option relates and (B) the number of Shares, if any, tendered or
withheld as payment of the amount to be withheld under applicable tax laws in
connection with the exercise of the option to which such Reload Option relates
pursuant to the relevant provisions of the plan or agreement relating to such
option. Reload Options may be granted with respect to Options previously granted
under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company or may be granted
in connection with any Option granted under the Plan or any other stock option
plan of the Company at the time of such grant. Such Reload Options shall have a
per share exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share as of the
date of grant of the new Option. Any Reload Option shall be subject to
availability of sufficient Shares for grant under the Plan. Shares surrendered
as part or all of the exercise price of the Option to which it relates that have
been owned by the optionee less than six months will not be counted for purposes
of determining the number of Shares that may be purchased pursuant to a Reload
Option.
(b) Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
Stock Appreciation Rights to Eligible Persons subject to the terms of the Plan
and any applicable Award Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the
Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive upon exercise thereof
the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise
(or, if the Committee shall so determine, at any time during a specified period
before or after the date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price of the Stock
Appreciation Right as specified by the Committee, which price shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of the
Stock Appreciation Right. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable
Award Agreement, the grant price, term, methods of exercise, dates of exercise,
methods of settlement and any other terms and conditions of any Stock
Appreciation Right shall be as determined by the Committee. The Committee may
impose such conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation
Right as it may deem appropriate.
(c) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Committee is hereby
authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units to
Eligible Persons with the following terms and conditions and with such
additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan
as the Committee shall determine:
(i) Restrictions. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock
Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose
(including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to vote a Share of
Restricted Stock or the right to receive any dividend or other right or property
with respect thereto), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination
at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise as the Committee may
deem appropriate.
(ii) Stock Certificates; Delivery of Shares. Any Restricted Stock
granted under the Plan shall be evidenced by issuance of a stock certificate or
certificates, which certificate or certificates shall be held by the Company.
Such certificate or certificates shall be registered in the name of the
Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions
applicable to such Restricted Stock. Stock certificates registered in the name
of the Participant shall be delivered to the Participant promptly after the
applicable restrictions lapse or are waived. In the case of Restricted Stock
Units, no Shares shall be issued at the time such Awards are granted. Upon the
lapse or waiver of restrictions and the restricted period relating to Restricted
Stock Units evidencing the right to receive Shares, such Shares shall be issued
and delivered to the holder of the Restricted Stock Units.
(iii) Forfeiture. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee,
upon a Participant's termination of employment (as determined under criteria
established by the Committee) during the applicable restriction period, all
Shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units held by the
Participant at such time shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company;
provided, however, that the Committee may, when it finds that a waiver would be
in the best interest of the Company, waive in whole or in part any or all
remaining restrictions with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted
Stock Units.
(d) Performance Awards. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
Performance Awards to Eligible Persons subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement. A Performance Award granted under the Plan (i) may
be denominated or payable in cash, Shares (including, without limitation,
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units), other securities, other Awards or
other property and (ii) shall confer on the holder thereof the right to receive
payments, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of such performance goals
during such performance periods as the Committee shall establish. Subject to the
terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the performance goals to
be achieved during any performance period, the length of any performance period,
the amount of any Performance Award granted, the amount of any payment or
transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award and any other terms and
conditions of any Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee.
(e) Dividend Equivalents. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
Dividend Equivalents to Eligible Persons under which the Participant shall be
entitled to receive payments (in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or
other property as determined in the discretion of the Committee) equivalent to
the amount of cash dividends paid by the Company to holders of Shares with
respect to a number of Shares determined by the Committee. Subject to the terms
of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, such Dividend Equivalents may
have such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.
(f) Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant
to Eligible Persons, subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award
Agreements, such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in
whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares
(including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as are
deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan. Shares,
or other securities delivered pursuant to a purchase right granted under this
Section 6(f) shall be purchased for such consideration, which may be paid by
such method or methods and in such form or forms (including, without limitation,
cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other
property, or any combination thereof), as the Committee shall determine, the
value of which consideration, as established by the Committee, shall not be less
than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the
date such purchase right is granted.
(g) General.
(i) No Cash Consideration for Awards. Awards may be granted for no
cash consideration or for such other consideration as may be determined by the
Committee or required by applicable law.
(ii) Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together. Awards may, in
the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in
tandem with or in substitution for any other Award or any award granted under
any plan of the Company or any Affiliate other than the Plan. Awards granted in
addition to or in tandem with other Awards or in addition to or in tandem with
awards granted under any such other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be
granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such
other Awards or awards.
(iii) Forms of Payment under Awards. Subject to the terms of the
Plan and of any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be made by
the Company or an Affiliate upon the grant, exercise or payment of an Award may
be made in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine (including,
without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other
Awards or other property, or any combination thereof), and may be made in a
single payment or transfer, in installments or on a deferred basis, in each case
in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules
and procedures may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or
crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the
grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents with respect to installment or
deferred payments.
(iv) Limits on Transfer of Awards. No Award (other than
Non-Qualified Stock Options, as hereinafter set forth) and no right under any
such Award shall be transferable by a Participant other than by will or by the
laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that, if so determined by
the Committee, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee,
designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of the
Participant and receive any property distributable with respect to any Award
upon the death of the Participant. Each Award or right under any such Award
shall be exercisable during the Participant's lifetime only by the Participant
or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participant's guardian or legal
representative. No Award or right under any such Award may be pledged,
alienated, attached or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge,
alienation, attachment or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable
against the Company or any Affiliate.
(v) Term of Awards. The term of each Award shall be for such period
as may be determined by the Committee.
(vi) Restrictions; Securities Exchange Listing. All Shares or other
securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise
thereof shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may deem
advisable under the Plan, applicable federal or state securities laws and
regulatory requirements, and the Committee may cause appropriate entries to be
made or legends to be placed on the certificates for such Shares or other
securities to reflect such restrictions. If the Shares or other securities are
traded on a securities exchange, the Company shall not be required to deliver
any Shares or other securities covered by an Award unless and until such Shares
or other securities have been admitted for trading on such securities exchange.
Section 7. Amendment and Termination; Adjustments.
- --------------------------------------------------
(a) Amendments to the Plan. The Board of Directors of the Company may
amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan; provided, however,
that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement,
prior approval of the shareholders of the Company shall be required for any
amendment to the Plan that:
(i) requires shareholder approval under the rules or regulations of
the New York Stock Exchange, any other securities exchange or the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. that are applicable to the Company;
(ii) permits repricing of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights which
is prohibited by Section 3(a)(v) of the Plan;
(iii) increases the number of shares authorized under the Plan as
specified in Section 4(a);
(iv) permits the award of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights at a
price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of
such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as prohibited by Sections 6(a)(i),
6(a)(iv) and 6(b)(ii) of the Plan; or
(v) without such shareholder approval, would cause the Company to be
unable, under the Code, to grant Incentive Stock Options under the Plan.
(b) Amendments to Awards. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the
Committee may waive any conditions of or rights of the Company under any
outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively. Except as otherwise provided
herein or in an Award Agreement, the Committee may not amend, alter, suspend,
discontinue or terminate any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively,
if such action would adversely affect the rights of the holder of such Award,
without the consent of the Participant or holder or beneficiary thereof.
(c) Correction of Defects, Omissions and Inconsistencies. The Committee may
correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the
Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to
carry the Plan into effect.
Section 8. Income Tax Withholding.
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In order to comply with all applicable federal, state or local income tax
laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to
ensure that all applicable federal, state or local payroll, withholding, income
or other taxes, which are the sole and absolute responsibility of a Participant,
are withheld or collected from such Participant. In order to assist a
Participant in paying all or a portion of the federal and state taxes to be
withheld or collected upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions
relating to) an Award, the Committee, in its discretion and subject to such
additional terms and conditions as it may adopt, may permit the Participant to
satisfy such tax obligation by (a) electing to have the Company withhold a
portion of the Shares otherwise to be delivered upon exercise or receipt of (or
the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal
to the minimum statutory amount of such taxes required to be withheld by the
Company or (b) delivering to the Company Shares other than Shares issuable upon
exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award and
owned by the Participant for more than (6) months with a Fair Market Value equal
to the amount of such taxes. The election, if any, must be made on or before the
date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined.
Section 9. General Provisions.
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(a) No Rights to Awards. No Eligible Person, Participant or other Person
shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no
obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons, Participants or
holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan. The terms and conditions of
Awards need not be the same with respect to any Participant or with respect to
different Participants.
(b) Award Agreements. No Participant shall have rights under an Award
granted to such Participant unless and until an Award Agreement shall have been
duly executed on behalf of the Company and, if requested by the Company, signed
by the Participant.
(c) No Rights of Shareholders. Except with respect to Restricted Stock,
neither a Participant nor the Participant's legal representative shall be, or
have any of the rights and privileges of, a shareholder of the Company with
respect to any Shares issuable upon the exercise or payment of any Award, in
whole or in part, unless and until the Shares have been issued.
(d) No Limit on Other Compensation Plans or Arrangements. Nothing contained
in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or
continuing in effect other or additional compensation plans or arrangements, and
such plans or arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only
in specific cases.
(e) No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as
giving a Participant the right to be retained as an employee of the Company or
any Affiliate, or a non-employee Director to be retained as a Director, nor will
it affect in any way the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate such
employment at any time, with or without cause. In addition, the Company or an
Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment free from any
liability or any claim under the Plan or any Award, unless otherwise expressly
provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.
(f) Governing Law. The internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the
State of Minnesota, shall govern all questions concerning the validity,
construction and effect of the Plan or any Award, and any rules and regulations
relating to the Plan or any Award.
(g) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes
or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or
would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the
Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to
applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in
the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of
the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction
or Award, and the remainder of the Plan or any such Award shall remain in full
force and effect.
(h) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create
or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary
relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other
Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from
the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no
greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any
Affiliate.
(i) No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered
pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether
cash shall be paid in lieu of any fractional Share or whether such fractional
Share or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise
eliminated.
(j) Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the
Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be
deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of
the Plan or any provision thereof.
Section 10. Effective Date of the Plan.
- ---------------------------------------
The Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company at
the annual meeting of shareholders of the Company to be held in 2001 and the
Plan shall be effective as of the date of such shareholder approval.
Section 11. Term of the Plan.
- -----------------------------
Awards shall only be granted under the Plan during a 10-year period
beginning on the effective date of the Plan, unless the Plan is terminated
earlier pursuant to Section 7(a) of the Plan. However, unless otherwise
expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award
theretofore granted may extend beyond the end of such 10-year period, and the
authority of the Committee provided for hereunder with respect to the Plan and
any Awards, and the authority of the Board of Directors of the Company to amend
the Plan, shall extend beyond the termination of the Plan.
[MAP]
GRACO INC.
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
Tuesday, May 1, 2001
1:30 p.m.
Russell J. Gray Technical Center
88-11th Avenue N.E.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
[LOGO]
GRACO INC.
88 Eleventh Avenue N.E.
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
This Proxy is Solicited by the Board of Directors for use at the Graco Inc.
Annual Meeting on Tuesday, May 1, 2001.
The shares of common stock of Graco Inc. which you were entitled to vote on
March 5, 2001, will be voted as you specify on this card.
By signing this proxy, you revoke all prior proxies and appoint George Aristides
and Mark W. Sheahan as Proxies, each with full power of substitution, to vote
your shares as specified on the reverse side and at their discretion on any
other matter which may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any
adjournment thereof.
TO VOTE BY TELEPHONE - TOLL FREE - 1-800-240-6326 - QUICK *** EASY *** IMMEDIATE
Your telephone vote authorizes the Named Proxies to vote your shares in the same
manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.
o Have your proxy card in hand.
o Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a
week, until 12:00 p.m. on April 30, 2001.
o You will be prompted to enter your 3-digit Company Number and your 7-digit
Control Number. Both numbers appear in the box in the upper right hand
corner.
Option 1: To vote as the Graco Board recommends on ALL proposals, press 1.
When asked, please confirm by pressing 1.
Option 2: To vote on each Proposal separately, press 0. (You will then hear
these instructions:)
Proposal 1: to vote FOR ALL nominees, press 1
to WITHHOLD from all nominees, press 9
to WITHHOLD FROM AN INDIVIDUAL NOMINEE, press 0 and listen to the
instructions.
Proposal 2: to vote FOR, press 1; AGAINST, press 9; ABSTAIN, press 0
Proposal 3: to vote FOR, press 1; AGAINST, press 9; ABSTAIN, press 0
When asked, please confirm your vote by pressing 1.
TO VOTE BY MAIL
If you do not vote by telephone, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return
the card in the postage-paid envelope provided (Graco Inc., c/o Shareowner
ServicesSM, P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0873).
If you vote by telephone, please do not mail your Proxy Card
Item 1. Election of Directors FOR ALL WITHHOLD FOR ALL
--- ---
NOMINEES: William G. Van Dyke J. Kevin Gilligan
Mark H. Rauenhorst
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
strike a line through the nominee's name in the list above)
Item 2. Adoption of the Graco Inc. Stock Incentive Plan
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
--- --- ---
Item 3. Ratification of Appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent
Auditors
FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
--- --- ---
In their discretion, the Proxies are authorized to vote upon such other business
as may properly come before the meeting. A properly executed proxy will be voted
in the manner directed by the person(s) signing below. If you make no choice,
your proxy will be voted "FOR" Items 1, 2, and 3.
Please sign exactly as your name(s) appears at left. In the case of joint
owners, each should sign. If signing as executor, trustee, guardian or in any
other representative capacity or as an officer of a corporation, please indicate
your full title.
Dated: , 2001
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Signature
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Signature